Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-02-21
THE GOVERNMENT EXPENSES,

Tic oppose made by Mr. Blaine, Of Maine,
in reporfi8z 70 the House Of Representatives
the General appropriation bill, showed very
conclusively that the Republican party, not
withstanding the large cost for the main
tepance of the army and navy, is actually
conducting the Government at less expense
than EIGHT years ago, under Mr. Buchanan
Democratic Administration. The whole es-
innate for eurrept EXPENSES of the Govern
ment submitted Dy the House Committee
on Appropriations is 800, $50, 900. For the
payment Of national interest, pensions, &e.,
SIs5. 000, coo. This latter sum has nothing
to do with the current expenses. The whole
Of It's high total has been entaIled upon the
country by the rebellion got up by Southern
Democrats, supported and sustained therein
by the sympathies OF their Northern allies.
Under Mr. Buchanan Administration the
annual lexpenseso of Government we're seventy
millions. Then business was done on gold
basis, there were fewer Territorial Govern
ments. no Revenue Bureau of mammoth
proportions, and many other deductions.
Seventy millions of gold are equal, at the
present rates to ninety eight millions Of
currency In the item Of army expenses
the comparison is most striking. Under Mr..
Buchanan they were twenty two millions per
annnn nnl-aveTaging, considerable over a Inil-
lion 10 regiment. Now Gen. Grant with
three times as many regiments; calls for but
thirty-three millions, making but little more
than one-haif million per regimeHt-that
Is 10 say. the army expenses are being re-
duced nearly one half per man, as compared
with the cost in Buchanan s day Well does
Gen. Grant deserve the tribute of having
made his estimates with degree of rigid
economy wholly unknown 70 the army in its
peace establishment preceding tho war
In the Navy Department the Rep9oicans
IN Congress have forced Mr.. johnson 5
Secretary to reduce his estimate Of expendi-
lures for the coming year away from S41,-
OOO, 600 down to $20, GOO, 600, and have them
selves made a still further reduction of two
millions.
The House Committee of Waysand Means
! are acting in harmony with the Committee
on Appropriations in this necessary and most
acceptable work. By resolution it has de-
/ termined to confine the revenue to $780,
| 600, 600, and to raise it, as it easily can be,
! upon the showing of many competent au-
thorities. from a few articles-articlese chiefly
| of luxury, and which do not enter into the
main industries of the nation We take
! hope and courage from these promising in
| aications What the country needs more
| than any mere financial panaceas, Is aTedUc-
| ton Of fGoyernmentex xpenses and a correspon-
ding dimunition of taxes. Relieve it from
extrayagant governmental expenses and take
/ off the oDerous imposts upon its industry,
| and its vigorous productive powers will start
| up with renewed activity and quickly show
the way out Of all our financial perplexities.
| If the House viii adopt the recommendation
of the committee, it viii prove IFS wisdom as
well as its devotion to the public welfare.
I No doubt many attempts will be made 10
defeat this simple and practicable plan; the
| whskey and tobacco rings are strong; mem
bers there are who have pet projects of re
form. But If Congress viii hold its way
resolutely through all these seduetions and
and inducements, the country viii find in
its action renewed cause to trust the party
that has been alike successful in war and in
| peace.