Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-12-16

1
office BILL" Experience has proved that its
repeal is demanded by tho best interests Of
the country, and that while it remains in
force tho President cannot onioin that rigid
accountability Of public officers so essential
to an honest and efficient execution Of the
laws. Its revocation would enable tho Tx.
ccutivc Department to exercise the power of
appointment and removal in accordance with
the original design Of the Federal Constitu-
| tion. .. ... .r'
The act of March 2, 1867, making appro-
priations for the support Of the army for
the year ending June 80, 1868, and for other
purposes, contains provisions which inter-
ferc with the President constitutional func.
tons az commander.in-chief Of the army,
and deny to States of the Union the right
to protect themselves by means Of their own
militia. These provisions should he at once
annulled; for while the first might, iu times
of great emergency, seriously embarrass the
Executive in efforts to employ and direct
the common strength Of the nation for its
protection and preservation, the other is
contrary to the express declaration of the
Constitution, that "a well regulated militia
being necessary to the security of free
State, the right Of the people to keep and
bear arms shall not be inlringcd."
It's believed that the repeal Of all such
laws would bc accepted by the American
people as at least a partial return to the fun
dancntnl principles of the government, and
an indication that hereafter the Copstitution
is to be made the Nations safo and uncrring
guide. They can be productive Of no per
mancnt benefit to the country, and should
not be permitted to stand as SO many mon-
umcnts Of the deficient wisdom which has
characterized our recent Legislation.
The condition Of our finances demands
the early aud earnest consideration Of Con-
grcss- Compared with the growth Of our
population, the public expenditures have
reached an amount unprecedented in our
history.
The population Of the United States in
1890 was nearly four millions Of people,
Increasing each decade about thirty-thrce
per cent, It reached in 1860 thirty.onc mil
lions-sn increase of seven hundred per cent
on the population in 1890. In 1869 it is
estimated that it will reach thirty isht mil
lion, or M increase Of eight hundred and
sixty-eight per cent, iu.scvcuty nine years.
The annual expenditures of the Federal
Government in 1871 were four million two
hundred thousand dollars in 1920, oigh-
teen million two hundred thousand dollars !;
in 1850, forty,onc millions in 1860, sixty
three millions; in 1865, nearly thirteen
hundred millions, and in 1869 it is cstima.
ted by the Secretary of the Treasury, in his
last annual report, that they will be three
hundred and scventy-two millions.
By comparing the public disbursements
of 1869, as estimated, with those of 1871,
it will bc seen that the increase Of expendi-
t,irc since the beginning of the Government
has been eight thousand six hundred and
eighteen per ccntum, while the increase of
the population for the same period was only
eight hundred and sixty-cight per centum.
Again the expenses of the Government in
1860, the year Of peace Immediately prcce-
ding the war, were only sixty three millions,
while in 1869, the year Of peace three years
after the war, it is estimated they will be
three hundred and scventy-two millions
an increase of four hundred and eighty-ninc
per centum, while the increase Of population
was only twenty-onc 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 ono
dollar per capita, and in 1860 bat two dol
lars per capita, while in 1869 they will rcacl,
the cstravagant sum Of nine dollars and
seyen!y-eisht cents per capita.
1t will be observed that all these state
mcnts refer to and exhibit the disburse.
ments Of peace periods. 1t may, therefore
be of interest to compare the expenditures
Of the three war pcriods-thc war with
Great Britain, the Mexican war, and thu
war Of the rebellion.
In 1913 the annual cxpcnccs incident u
tho war Of 1912 reached their highest a
mount-about thirty-ono millions; while
our population slightly exceeded eight mil
lions, showing an expenditure of only three
dollars and eighty cents per capita. Ii
lS47 the expenditures growing out of th'
war with Mexico reached fifty-fvo millions
and the population was about twonty-ont
millions, giving only two dollars and sixt,
cents per capita for the war cxpenccs o
that year. In 1865 the expenditures callet
for by the rebellion reached the vast amoun
Of twelve hundred and ninety millions
which compared with a population Of thir
ty four millions, gives thirty eight dollars
and twenty cents per capita. =.
From tho fourth day Of March, 1889, t,
the thirtieth day of June, 1861, the entir
expenditures Of tho. Government wort
; seventeen hundred millions of dollars. Du
ring that period we were engaged in war
with Great Britain and Mexico, and wcr
involved in Aostilities with powerful Indial