Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-12-09
ALEX GAZETTE AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISER.

aud eighty nine per centum, While the increase
of population was only twenty one 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 one dollar
per capita, and in 1860 but two dollars per
capita; while in 1869 they Will reach the eX-
travagant sum of nine dollars and seventy light
cents per capita.
1t will be observed that all OF these state
ments refer to and exhibit the disbursements
of peace periods 1t may, therefore, be OF IN
terest to compare the expenditures OF the three
war periods-the war with Great Britain, the
Mexican war, and the war of the rebellion.
InlSl4 the annual expenses Incident to the
war of 1912 reached their highest amount
about thirty-one millions; while our ropula-
ton slightly exceeded eight millions, showing
an expenditure Of only three dollars and eigh-
~ cents per capita. 10 lS47 the expenditures
growing out of the war with Mexico reached
fifty FIVE millions, and the population about
twenty-oue millions, giving only two dollars
and sixty cents per capita for the war expen-
ses of that year. In 1865 the expenditures
called for by the rebellion reached the vast
amount of twelve hundred and ninety millions,
which, compared with population OF thirty
four millions, gives thirty light dollars and
twenty cents per capita.
From the fourth day of March, 1889, to the
thirtieth of June, 1861, the entire expenditures
of the Government were seventeen hundred
millions of dollars During that period we were
engaged in wars with great Britain and Next
co, and were involved in hostities with power
full Indian tribes; Louisiana was purchased
from France at cost Of fifteen millions OF
dollars; Florida was coded to Us by Spain for
five millions; California was acquired from
Mexico for fifteen millions; and the territory
of New Mexico was obtained from Texas tor
the sum of ten millions. Early in 1861 the
war of the rebellion commenced and from the
first of July of that year to the Goth OF June,
1865, the public expenditures reached the
enormous aggregate of thirty three hundred
millions. Three years Of peace have inter
vened, aud during that time the disbursements
of the Government have successfully been i've
hundred and twenty millions, three hundred
and torty-six millions and three hundred
and ninety-three millions Adding to these
amounts three hundred and seventy-two
millions, estimated as necessary Tor the
fiscal year ending the 30th OF June, 1869,
We obtain total expenditure OF sixteen hun
dred millions of dollars during the four years
Immediately succeeding the war, Or near y as
much as was expended during the seventy
two years that preceded the rebellion, and en-
braced the extraordinary expenditures already
named.
These startling facts clearly illustrate the
necessity of retrenchment in all branches OF the
public service. Abuses which we're tolerated
during the war for the preservation OF the ma
ton will not be endured by the people, now
that profound peace prevails. The receipts
from internal revenues and customs have, dur
ing the past three years, gradually diminished.
and the continuance OF useless and extravagant
expenditures will involve us in national bank
ruptcy. OF else make inevitable an increase OF
taxes, already too onerouS, and IN many re-
spects obnoxious on account or their lnqulslto-
rial character. One hundred millions annually
are expended for the military force, a large
portion Of which is employed in the execution
OF laws both unnecessary and unconstitutional
one hundred and fifty millions are required
each year to pay the interest on the public
debt; an army of tax gatherers impoverishes
the nation; and public agents, placed by Con-
greSs Dcyond the control of the Executive,
divert from their legitimate purposes large
sums of money which they collect from the
people 10 the name of the Government Judi
cious legislation and prudent economy can
alone remedy defects and avert evils which, if
suffered TO exist, cannot fail to diminish conf
dence in the public councils, and weaken the
attachment and respect of the peOnlc towards
their political institutions. Without proper
care the small balance which it is estimated
will remain in the Treasury at the close OF the
present fiscal year will not be realized and adj
ditiona millions be added to a debt which is
now enumerated by billions
1t is shown, by the able and comprehensive
report OF the Secretary Of the Treasury, that
the receipts for the fiscal year ending June 50,
1865 were $40j, 638, 0S3, and that the eXpen-
ditures for the same period were $377, 340, 2S4,
leaving in the Treasury surplus of $28, 297,
1913 1t is estimated that the receipts during
the present fiscal year ending June 80, 1869,
will be $34l, 1872, SOS, and the expenditures
1886, | 81, 40, showing a small balance OF So
240, 1913 in favor of the Government. For the
f.cal year ending June 80, 1870, 1t is estimated
that the receipts will amount to 1927 000 000
and the expenditures to 5000, 0000 600, leaving
and estimated surplus Of $24 900, 900.
1t becomes prOper,in this connection, to make
brief reference TO our public Indebtedness,
which has accumulated with such alarming
rapidity and assumed such colossal proportions.
La 1889, when the Government commenced
operations under the Federal Go Institution, it
was burdened with an indebtedness of seventy
five millions of dollars, created during the war
of the Revolution. This amount had been re-
duced to iorty-fve millions Of dollars when in
1912 war was declared against Great Britain.
The three years struggle that followed largely
increased the national obligations, and in 1916
they had attained the sum of one hundred and
twenty-Scvcn millions. Wise and economical
legislation. however, enabled the Government
to pay the entire amount within period Of
twenty years, and the cxtinguishm ept Of the
national debt filed the land with rejoicing, and
was one of the great events of President Jack
sons administration. After its redemption a
large fund remained in the Treasury which
was deposited for safo-kceping with the several
States, on condition that it should be returned
when required by the public wants. In 1915
the year after the termination of an expensive
war with Mexico-we found ourselves involved
ia a debt of sixty four millions; and this was
the amount owed by the Government in 1860,
just prior to the outbreak of the rebellion 10
the spring Of 1864 our civil war commenced.
Each year of its continuance made an enor-