The Portland daily press., 1868-01-23
Difference between estimates for 1868
and actual cost tor the same items in
1854 sfA7

iooV, Sl4I ,S46,000
The estimates for 1868 are over five and one
third times as great as the actual cost of the
same service in 1850, while our national wealth
and population have increased but about if
teen per cent. since that period. The INQUIRY
becomes eminently pertinent, Why does this
country, in time of peace, with no prospect of
war, require five times more expenditure. in
proportion to its population, for the Army or
the. Navy, or for the civil list,than before the
rebellion? Why is it that ten thousand men
men are under pay at our Navy-yards, at a
cost of S10,000,000 per annum, while the Gov
eminent is selling its ships, and when the
commercial tonnage we have to protect is vast
ly less than it was before the war? The belief
is becoming universal that most of these men
are kept for political, and not for practical
purposes. Is it not plain that the war has
taste ned upon the country vast horde of en-
ployees and contractors, in every Department. .
who are supported from the public treasury,
and at the expense of the tax-paying commu-
nifty, thousands OF whom are of no practical
benefit to the Government? There is a large
force of revenue cutters on the lakes and at
sea, the gross benefits of which would not paw
for the fuel that one of them uses The Treas
ury Department admits its utter uselessness,
and pays over one and quarter millions of
dollars per annum for its support.
Our system of taxation, conducted as it is,
by men who the Secretary OF the Treasury
admits are too corrupt to collect the legitimate
revenues belonging to the Government is
used, IN numerous instances, to Cypress the ig-
norant and to relieve the knave from fair tax.
alton. Why are these abuses so common here
and SO rare in despotic Europe?
Our foreign trade has drained this country
of its precious metals, and is still taking every
dollar produced from our rich mines. 1t has
taken over thousand millions of our seeur-
ties, and is still creating a foreign mortgage
on our whole national estate
We have imported, during the wear 1866
over $300O00O0 OF silks, $67, 100000 of wool
and woollens, $30,000,G00 of cottons, and $780,
100000 of iron and steel while our own facto
ries and FORCES have been comparatively idle.
While our ability TO pay taxes has diminished
rapidly ana largely, the demands upon us are
kept far above what the real interests of the
nation seem to require.
The people demand an early repeal of all
taxes on American productions, except luxu-
ries, and such an adjustment of the revenue
laws as will secure to American citizens the
benefits a national industry.
They especially demand that men who are
to be entrusted with the money of the Gov
eminent shall be thoroughly examined before
appointment, and that fitness and honesty
shall be essential elements for their confirma-
ton.
History, with all its warnings, has been i'm
potent to divert this Republic from the quick
sands that now surround 1T, and upon which
all former republican Governments have foun-
dered. Nothing but wisdom and firmness can
now avail to shake the dragon of official c)rrup-
ton from the national throat, and the people
look to every member of Congress to do his
duty. Should this Government pass wholly
INTO the hands of its enemies, no one can pre-
dict the humiliating troubles and disasters yet
IN store tor Its earnest friends. But FESTIVE
people, suffering under present evils, may be
led to commit the destinies of the country to
those whose hands are yet stained with our
blood, and whose history shows that no barri-
ers that laws or constitutions present will de-
ter them from accomplishing the behests of
their leaders. 4
I sincerely beg your indulgence for the
earnest expressions feel impelled to use; bu5
the causetand the occasion seem to warrant
the use OF liquid fire, if by such means Con-
gress can be but partially impressed with
the duties and the perils that demand their at
tention.