The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1868-12-15

] anu llsehcifau0Ni INC utbef lS contrary
to the express declaration of the Con.
stitution, that well-regulated militia
being necessary to the security Of free
State, the right Of the people to .keer
and bear arms shall not be infringed
II is believed that the repeal Of oil such
laws would be accepted by the Ameri-
can people, as at least partial return
to the fundamental principles of the
Government; and an indication that
hereafter the Constitution is TO be made
the nations safe and uuerring guide
They can be productive of no perma-
nent benefit to the country, and should
not be permitted to stand as so many
monuments Of the deficient wisdom
which has characterized our recent leg
islation,
FINANCE.
\ The condition Of our finances de-
mands the early and earnest considera-
ton Of Congress 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 100000 of people, In
creasing each decade about 33 per cent
it reached in 1860, 10000 an in
crease Of 700 per cent on the popula-
ton Of 1890 In 1869 it is estimated
that 1t will reach 38,000,000, OF an in
crease of S6S per cent in 70 years. The
annual expenditures of the Federal
Government in 1871 were $4,000 600;
in 1929, SIS, 200, 900; in 1850, $41 600,
900; in 1860, $63 600, 900; in 1866, near
| ly $1,000 100000, and in 1869, it is es-
timatod by the Secretary of the Treas
ury, in his last report, that there viii
be 1912 000000, by comparing the
public disbursements Of 1869, as esti-
mated, with those Of 1871, it will be
seen that the increase of expenditures
since the beginning ofthe Government,
has been eight thousand SIX hundred
and eighteen per centum, while the in
crease Of the population for the same
period was only eight hundred and
eighty per centum. Again, the expen-
ses Of the government IN 1850, the year
Of peace Immediately preceding the
war; were only $63,000,000, while in
1869, the year Of peace three years af-
ter the war, it is estimated there will be
S3l2,OOO, 600, an increase of 4S9 per
cent, whilo the increase Of population
was was only Il per cent for the same
period. These statistics further show
that in 1871 the annual national expen-
ses compared with the population was
little more than one dollars per capita,
and IN 1860 but two dollars per capita,
while in 1869 they will reach the ex-
trayagant sum Of nine dollars and sew
enty-eight cents per capita. II will be
observed that all these statements re-
fer to and exhibit the disbursements Of
peace periods. 1t may, therefore be Of
interest to compare the expenditures Of
the three war periods, the war with
Great Britain, the Mexican war and the
war Of the rebellion.
In 1914, the annual expenses incident
to the war of 1912 reached their high
est amount, about $3l 600, 900, while
our population slightly exceeded 5000
600, showing an expenditure Of only
three dollars and eighty cents per cap
tia In ls47, the expenditure growing
out OF the war with Mexico reached fif-
ty-iiye millions, and tho population
about twenty one millions. giving only
Two aoiiafs ana a1ty cents per capita
for the war expenses of that year In
1865, the expenditures called for b, the
rebellion reached tho vast amount Of
twelve hundred and ninety millions.
which compared with population Of
thlriy-four millions, gives thirty-eight
dollars and twenty cents per capita ~
From the fourth day Of March. l779. 10
the thirtieth d June, 1851, the entire
expenditures q the government we're
seventeen hundred millions Of dollars
During that period we were engaged
10 wars with Great Britain and Mex.
60 and we're involved Ia hoatilities with
powerful Indian tribes. Louisiana was
purchased from France al cox 81 ST.
teen millions q dollars Florida was
oedei 70 " by Spain for five millions
Caiiforaia was acquired from Mexico
fsr aiteeD millions oi dollars. ana ths
territory u NsR Mexico vas obtained
FROM Texas FOE the sum Of ten millions
Early b lsGi ihe var Il the rebellion
.as5.-.. .sa.....H 4