The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-12-10

tated by grave spprehensioDs OF trou'
bic which might again involve the
peace of the nation. Its interests have
been iniuriously affected by the de-
rangement of business and labor and the
consequent want of prosperity through
out that portion of the country.
OBEY THE CONSTITUTION.
The Federal Constitution, the Magma
Charta of American rights, under
whose wise and salutary pro-
visions we have successfully
conducted all our domestic aud foreign
affairs, sustained ourselves In peace and
war, and become great nation among
the powers of the earth, mast assuredly
now be adequate to the settlement of
questions growing out of the civil war
waged alone fer its vindication. This
great fact is made most manifest by the
condition Of the country when Congress
assembled in the month of December,
1865. Civil strife had ceased, the spirit
of rebellion had spent its entire force
In the Southern States; the people had
warmed into national life, and through
out the whole country healthy reac
III puOIlO boo
place, by the application Of the simple
yet effective provisions of the Constitu-
ton. The Executive Department, with
the voluntary aid of the States, had
brought the work of restoration as near
completion as was within the scope of
its authority, aud the nation was en-
couraged by the prospect of an early
and satisfactory adjustment of all its
difficulties. Congress, however, interfor-
ed, and refusing to perfect the work SO
nearly conSummated, declined to admit
members from the Southern States,
adopted course of measures which ar
rested the progress of restoration, frus-
trated all that had been successfully &C
coinplished, and, after three years OF agi-
tation and strife, has left the country far
ther from the attainment of union and
fra,ernal feeling than at the inception
of the Congressional plan of recOnstruc-
ton. IL needs no argument to show
that legislation which has produced
such consequences should be abrogated
or else made to conform 20 the genuine
principles of the republican govern
ment.
REPEAL OBNOXIOUS LAWS.
Under the influence of party
passion and sectional prejudice. other
acts have been passed not warranted by
the Constitutions. Congress has already
been made familiar with my views re-
specting the Tenure of Office bill. Ex-
perience has proved that its repeal is
demanded by the best interest of the
country, and that while it remains in
force the President cannot epjoin that
rigid accountability of public officers so
essential to an earnest and efficient ex-
ecution of the laws. Its revocation
weuld enable the Executive Depart
ment to exercise the power of appoint
ment and removal in accordance with
the original design of the Federal Con
stitutiOn. The act of March I'd, 1867,
making appropriations for the support
of the army for the year ending June
Both, 1865, and for other purposes, con-
tains provisions which interfere with
the Presidents Constitutional functions
as Commander-in-C 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 be at once an
Hulled, tor while the first might, in
times of great emergency, seriously en-
barr ass the Executive in the effort to
employ and direct the common strength
OF the nation for its protection aud
the other is contrary to
the express declaration of the Consti-
tuition that q we'll regulated militia be-
ing necessary to the security OF free
State, the right of the people to keep
and bear arms shall not be .nfriDged.
1t is believed that the repeal of ell such
laws would be accepted by the American
people a., ut least, Il partial Ieturn to
the Fundamental principles of the Gov
eTument, and an indication that here
after the Constitution is to be made the
nations safe and unerring guide. They
can be productive of no permanent ben
eft to the country, and should not be
permitted to stand as SO many monu-
neuts of. the deficient wisdom which
has characterized our recent legislation
FACTS FROM OUR FINANCIAL HISTORY.
The condition of our finances de-
mands the earlyand earnest cos
sideration of Congress. Compared
with the growth of our pop
ulation. 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 three per cent,
il reached in 1860 thirty one
millions, an increase of 200 per cent. on
the population in 1890. In 1869 it is
estimated it will reach thirty-eight
millions, or an increase of eight hun
dred and Sixty-eight per cent. in seven
tv-nine wears. The annual expendi-
lures of the Federal Government IN
1871 were four millions two hundred
thousand dollars; in ls2O eighteen mil
lions two hundred thousand dollars; IN
ls5O forty.one millions; in 1860 sixty
three millions; in 1865 nearly thirteen
hundred millions, and in 1859. 1t is es-
timated by the Secretary of the Treas
ury in his last annual report, that they
will he three hundred and seventy-two
millions. By comparing the public dis
bnrsements of 1869, as estimated, with
those of 1871, it will be seen that the
increase of expenditures since the be-
ginning of the Government has been
eight thousand six hundred and eigh-
teen per centum, while the increase OF
the population for the same period was
only eight hundred and sixty eight per
centum. Again, the expenses OF the
Government in 1860, the year OF peace
Immediately preceding 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 seventy-two mil
lions, an increase of fonr hundred and
eighty-niue per centum, while the
increase of population was only ninety
one per oentum for the same
period; and the statistics further show
that in 1871 the annual national ex-
penses, compared with the population,
were q little more than one dollar Per
capita, and in 1860, but two dollars per
capita, while in 1869 they will reach
the extravagant sum of uine dollars and
and seventy-eight cents per capita. 1t
will be observed that all of these state
ments refer to, and exhibit, the dis.
bursements of peace period. 1t may,
therefore, be of interest to compare the
expenditures of the three war periods,
the war with Great Britain, the Mexi-
can war and the war of the Rebellion. In