Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-11-04

" AShlNGlON, ~ -. oCLs 1T 10
DEAR SIR-In a recent conversation up
on the subject of the finances you express
cd desire to be furnished with some of
the leading facts then mentioned touching
the national expenditure and the public
debt. now comply with your request,
regretting, however, that other and more
pressing matters have prevented me from
more clearly illustrating the absolute ne
cessity for immediate reform in the finan-
cial operations of the government.
In l776 our national independence was
proclaimed, and after an ex Exhaustive, bloody
struggle OF seven years, was, in 1888, ac-
knowledged by the parent government.
In 1887 the Federal Constitution was
framed and in 1889 the Government went
into operation under its provisions, bur
dcned with a debt of s75,0 100000, created
during the war of the Revolution. I'm
medlately upon the organization of Con-
gress measures were devised for the pay
ment OF the national obligations and the
restoration of the public credit and when
in 1872, war was declared against Great
Britain, the debt had already been redu-
ced to 45,00O,000. 1t was then largely
increased by the three years struggle that
ensued between the nations, till, in 1916,
it had reached the sum of 1927 100000.
Peace again established, provisions WAS
made tor the earliest practicable liquida-
ton OF this Indebtedness, in order that it
might not become permanent incum-
brance upon the people. by tender, wise
and economical legislation, the entire
amount vas paid in a period OF twenty
years, and the extinguishment of the ma
tional debt filled the land with rejoicing
an q was one of the great events of Prcsi-
| dent JacksOn's administration Even af-
ter its payment large fund remained in
the Treasury, which, for safe keeping, was
deposited with the several States on con-
dirion that it should be returned when re
quired by the public wants
In l649, the year after the termination
of an expensive war with Mexico, we
found ourselves involved in a debt of S64,-
| 100000, and this was the amount owed
by tie government in 1860, just prior to
the outbreak of the rebellion. In the
Spring OF 1861, the war of the rebellion
| commenced
Each year OF its continuance made an
enormous addition to the debt, so that
when, in the Spring of 1865, the nation
successfully emerged from theNdreadful
conflict, the obligations OF the government
had reached the vast amount of $780,
100000. They had not yet, however, at
tanned their highest point, for, when the
army and navy had been paid, the volun-
teer forces diSbanded and the navy large
| ly reduced, it was found in February, 1867
that our indebtedness exceeded $780,
! 100000
Having thus referred to the indebted
ness of the government at various periods
| of its existence, it may be well to call at
| tention to a brief statement of facts cor.
nected with its expenditures. From the
4th day of March, 1889, to the 3Oth of
June, 1861, the entire public expenditures
were 81, 70O,000,000, although covering a
| period Of seventy-two years. This amount
is small when compared with the expenses
of the government during the recent war
of four years duration, for from the lst of
July, 1861, to the 30th of June 1865,
they reached the enormous aggregate of
$4,000, 100000.
An Investigation into the disbursements
since the lst Of July, 1865, further shows
that by adding to the expenditures of the
last three years the estimated cost of ad-
ministering the government for the year
ending the 3Oth OF June, 1869, we obtain
the sum of l,G00,0oO,OOO as the amount
required for the four years Immediately
| following the cessation of hostilities, or
nearly as much as was expended during
the seventy two years that preceded the
war. 1t will be seen that from l79l to
1851 our public debt was at no time more
| than $l27,00O,000, while subsequently,
four years of civil war expanded i: to S2,-
100000, 600 - 1t will also be perceived
that, while prior to 1861 the largest an
nual disbuTse was not quite S74 ,000,.
900, for the year 1858, the expen 1itures
during the last three years of peace have
successfully been s520,00O.O0O, S346,-
100000, and $393,OOO,OOO; $372,O0O,-
900 being the amount which it is estimated
will be necessary for the year ending the
30th of June next.
In making this comparison we should re-
member That during the long interval be
tween 1889 and 1861 the government was
frequently required to make expenditures
of an extraordinary character. Large sums
were paid to Indians as annuities and for
the purchase Of their land and expensive
wars were waged against powerful tribes.
Louisiana was acquired from france at
cost of SIS, 100000, Florida, in considera-
ton of S5,0O0,0OO, was ceded to US by
Spain. California became part of our pos
sessions on payment to Mexico Of SIS 5,OOO,-
900, while for SlO,9O0,000 our govern
ment secured from Texas the territory of
New Mexico. During the periods of our
history We were also engaged in wars with
Great Britain in Mexico-the first waged
against one of the most powerful nations of
the world, the other made additionally ex-
pensive by the preservation of military OPP
Grafton in the enemy's territory.
The startling facts thus concisely stated
suggest an inquiry as TO the cause of this
increase in the expenditures and indebted
ness of the country. During the evil war
: Il