Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-12-18
1869 it is estimated that il will reach 3d.


ia 1850. ST. 900, GOO /: III 1860, $63,0 oo,-
600; in 1865, nearly 81 300, O00, VUO; and in
1869 it is estimated by the Secretary of the
Treasury in his last annual report that they
will be 1872. 100000. By comparing the
public disbursements of 1869 as estimated
with those of 1871 it will be seen that the
increase of expenditures since the beginning
of the Government has been 8.619 per cen
tum, while the increase of population for the
same period was only S6S per centum.
Again: The expenses Of the Government
in 1860, the year of peace Immediately pre-
cediug the war were only 1868, 600, 600,
while in 1869, the year of peace three years
after the war, it is estimated that they will be
1872, 900, OOO--an increase Of 4S9 per CEN
tum, while the increase Of population was
only II per centum for the same period
These statistics further show that in 1871
the annual national expenses compared with
the population were little more than ST per
capita, in 1860 but 50 PEI capita, while in
1869 they will reach the extravagant sum
of 500 per capita. M
1t will observed that. all of these state.
ments refer to, and exhibit the disbursements
of peace periods, It may therefore be Of
interest to compare the expenditures OF the
three war periods--the war with Great Bri-
tain, the Mexican war, and the war OF the
rebellion. The annual expenses incident
to the war of 1919 reached their highest
amount, about S3l 900, 900, while our po-
pulation slightly exceeded 8 5000, 600 show
ing an expenditure of only So. per capita.
i n nj
the war with Mexico reached 800 ,oOo,Ooo,
and the population about q, 600, 900, Civ
ing only $3.50 per capita for the war
expenses of that year. In 1865 the ex-
pendi,ures called for by the rebellion reached
the vast amount of 81 ,290 900 900. which,
compared With, population Of "a 600 goo,
gives ss48 20 pei capita. - ~
From the 4th day Of March. 1883, TO the
Both OF June, 1861, the entire expenditures
'of the Government were 81 zoe, 600 ESQ.
During that time we were engaged in wars
with vGreat Britain aud Mexico, and were
involved in hostilities with powerful Indian
tribes: Louisiana. was purchased fronl
FRANCE at cost Ct SIC, 00o. 0o0; Florida
4 was ceded to US BY Spain for $50 ,oop 900 ;
California was acquired from Mexico for
Sic, 600 600 * aud the territory Of New
Mexico was obtained from Texas for the sum
1 Of $40, 90 O0t. Eariy ia 1861 the war OF
the rebellion commenced, and from the LIST
of July of that year to the SOth Of June.
1865, the public expenditures reacbe1 the
enormons aggregate of So 300, 0oo,oo0
Three years of peace INTERVIEWED, and
during that time tie Disbursements of the
4 Government have successfully been $500
coo 900, 1916 90 ,000, and 1893, % o,00o
u Adding to these amounts SaT2, 0O0, 900 es
tinated as necessary for the fiscal year end
ing the 3afh June 1869 we obtain to-
tai expenditure of 81 500 600 coo during
the four years Immediately succeeding the
war, OF nearly as much as was expended
+, during the seventy two years that preceded
the rebellion, and embraced the extraordina
~ expenditures already named. These
startling facts clearly illustrate thenecessitJ
of retrenchmert in all branches of the pub
lie service. Abuses which we're tolerated
during the war for the preservation of the
nation will not be endured by the people
now that profound peace prevails.
The receipts from internal revenue ane
customs have during the past three years
gradually diminished, and the, continuance
Of useless AID eKtragaggant expenditures VII
involve US in national bankruptcy, or elsf
make Inevitable an increase Of taxes already
too onerous, and in many respects obnox
ious, on account of their inquisitorial char
acter. One hundred millions annually arr
expended for the military force, a large
portion Ct which is employed IN the execu
!, ton Of laws both unnecessary and unconsti
f tutional. One hundred and fifty million
are required each year Quay the interest OIL
the public debt An army oftax-gatherer
) impoyerishes the nation, and public agents
! placed by Congress beyond the control thu
Executive divert from their legitimate pur
, poses large sums Of money which they col
leet from the people in phe name Of the Gov
ernment. Jldicious Legislation and pruden
economy can alone remedy defects and aver
, evils which, if suffered to exist, connot fai
to diminish confidence in the people toward
f their political institutions Without prope
care the small balance which it is estimated
, will remain ID the Treasury ~ the close 0
the present fiscal year will not be realized
and additional millions will be added to
) debt which is noH enumerated By billions.
is shown by the able and comprehensive re
: port of the Secretary Of the Treasury tina
; Fhe receipts for the tisc year ending Jun
1868 we're s405 ,68s ,0Sa, and that the ex
, penditurcs for the same period were $s7 Z,
$40 ,2S4, leaving in the Treasury surplu
, of SIS, 297 1893 1t is estimated that the re
ceipts during the present fiscal year endllp
2 June SO, 1860, will be $S4l 1872, 1868, an
I the expenditures 1886, 1852 40, showing
/. small balance of $3.50 ,s9s in favor 9th
Government for the fiscal year ending Jun
80, 1870. 1t is estimated that the receipt
will amount to, 1927 900, 900, and the ex
! plenditurefs to 5000 900 900, leaving an es
tiinated surplus of $4,000 GOO 1t be
comes proper in. this connection to 'makess
brief reference to our public Indebtedness
t which has accumulated with such ALARMING
, rapldltg and assumed such colossal proper
$ tons. In 1880, when the Government
t commenced operations under the Fedora
5 Constitution, it was burdened with an in
debtednessr of $40 900, 600, created during
G the war of the Revolution. This amour
!, had been reduced to $45, 900, 600 when, l
G 1912, war was declared against Great Brit
i ian. The three years struggle that follow
ediargely increased the national obligations
/; and. in 1916 they had attained to the sun
t of $l27, 600, 900. Wise and economical
/ legislation, however, enabled the Govern
I. ment to pay the entire amount within pc
e Rod of twenty years, the extinguishment 0
. the national debt filled the land with rejoic
4 ing, and was one Of the great events Of Pres
ident Jacksons administration. After it
f redemption large fund remained in I'll
d Treasury, which vasdeposited for safe-keep
ing with the several States, on condition tina
e it should be returned when required by tn
!. public wants. In 1849, the year after 81