The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-12-17

permitted to stand as so many monuments
! of deficient wisdom which has characterized
our recent legislation.
THE PUBLIC EXPENDITURES.
The condition of our finances demands ths
early and earnest consideration of Congress.
! Compared with the growth of our population.
! public expenditures have reached an amount
/ unprecedented in our history The popula-
ton of the United States in 1890 was nearly
| four millions Of people increasing each de-
cade about thirty-three per cent, it reached
in 1860 thirty-one millions, an increase of
seven hundred per cent. on the population in
1890. In 1869, it is estimated it viii reach
thirty-eight millions. or an increase of eight
hundred and sixty-eight per cent in seventy
nine years. The annual ex penditures of the
Federal Government in 1871 were four mil
lions two hundred thousand dollars in 1920
| eighteen millions two hundred thousand
/ dollars in 1850, forty-one millions in 1860,
! siIty-three millions. In 1864. nearly thiT-
! teen hundred millions, and in 1869, it is es-
! timated by the Secretary Of the Treasury 10
his last annual report that they will be three
hundred aud seventy-two millions.
By comparing the public disbursement of
| 1869 as estimated with those of l79l, it will
be seen that the increase since the beginning
Of our government has been eight thousand
six hundred and eighteen per cent, while
the increase of tie population for the same
period was only eight hundred and sixty
eight per cent. Again, the expense Of the
| Government in 1860. the year of peace im>
mediately preceding the war. were only
sixty five millions, while in 1859, the year
| of peace three years after the war, it is esti-
mated they will be three hundred and sew
! enty millions. an increase of four hundred
and eighty-nine per cent. while the increase
Of lafi
! for the same period These statistics fur
| tber show, that in 1871 the annual national
expenses compared with the population
were but little more than one dollar per
! capita, and in 1860, two dollars per capita
! while in 1869 they will reach the extrava-
/ CANT sum of nine dollars and seventy-eight
| oents per capita. 1t will be observed that
! all of these statements referred to exhibit the
disbursements of peace periods. Ii may,
/ therefore, be of interest to compare the ex-
! penditures Of the three war periods. the war
! with Great Britain, the Mexican war and
! the war Of the rebellion. In 1914 the an
| nuai expenses incident to the war of 1912
reach the highest amount. about $31 900 900
! while our population slightly exceeded s.
! 100000, showing expenditure of only
three dollars and eighty cents per capita
In 1847 the expenditures growing out Of the
war with Mexico, reached ifty-fye millions
and the population about twenty-one mil
lIons, giving only two dollars and sixty
cents per capita for the war expenses of that
! year. In 1856 the expenditure called for by
| the rebellion reached the vast amount of
twelve hundred and ninety millions, which,
compared with a population of thirty-four
millions, gives thirty-eight dollars and
twenty-eight cents per cents per capita
From the 4th day of March, 1889, 10 the
2Oth Of lima 1891 ba antira
| of tbs Government were seventeen hundred
millions of dollars. During that period We
were engaged In wars with Great Britain
and Mexica, and were engaged in hostlities
with powerful Indian tribes. Louisiana was
purchased from France at cost OF fifteen
millions of dollars Florida was ceded to us
by Spain for FIVE millions California was
acquired from Mexico fo- fifteen millions,
and the Territory of New Mexico was OBJ
tanned from Texas for the sum of ten nil
lions. Early in 1861 the war of the rebel
lion commenced, and from the first of July
of that year to the thirtieth of June, 1865
the public expenditures reached the enor-
nous aggregate of thirty-three hundred mil
lions. Three years Of peace have interviewed,
and during that time the disbursements of
the Government have successively been five
| hundred and twenty millions, three hundred
and ninety millions. Adding to these
amounts three hundred and seventy-two
millions estimated as necessary for the fiscal
! year ending the 30th Of June, 1869, we OBJ
| tain total expenditure of sixteen hundred
millions OF dollors during the war, or nearly
az much as was expended the seventy-two
! years that preceded the rebellion, and en-
braced the extraordinary ex pendtures already
named, these startling facts clearly illustrate
the necessity of retrenchment in all branches
| Of the public service. Abuses which were
! tolerated during the war for the preservation
! of the nation will not be endured by the peo-
pie now, that profound peace prevails.
| INTERNAL REVENUE AND CUSTOMS RECEIPTS
The receipts from internal revenues and
| customs have. during the past three years,
| gradually diminished, and the continuance
of useless and extravagant expenditures will
/ involve us in national bankruptcy, or else
| make inevitable an increase of taxes already
too ouerous and in many respects obnoxious
on account of their inquisitorial character,
One hIadred millions annually are expend-
ed for the military force, 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 beyond the control of the Executive
divert from their legitimate purposes large
sums of money, which they collect from the
| people in the name of the government. Ju-
diciouu legislation and prudent economy can
alone remedy these defects, and avert evils
which. if suffered to exist, cannot fail 20 di-
min:sh confidence in the public councils and
weaken the attachment and respect of the
| people toward 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 additional millions be
added to debt which is now enumerated
by billions. It is shown by the able and
comprehensive report Of the Secretary of the
| Treasury that the receipts for the fiscal wear
ending June 80. 1868, were $405 ,6as ,Os3
and that the expenditures for the same pc.
riod were $377 $40, ,284, leaving in the Trea-
sary surplus of $292, ,977 90. It is esti.
mated that the receipts during the present
fiscal year ending june 30, 1850, will be