Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-10-01


The national debt was reduced fifty millions
during the first six months Of Grants admins
tration. The total decrease for the year Is eH-
pected to be about one hundred millions. With
this gratifying exhibit, we have to compare the
last report Of President .Iohnson's Secretary OF
the Treasury, which announced an increase ior
the year ending Dec. l, 1868, of thirty-seyen
millions These facts speak well for the present
administration. Financially, it is an unques-
tionable success. And this success is the result
of no extraordinary facilities. The taxes are no
heavier, and the necessary expenditure no light
er. than they we're last year. This balance OF
fifty millions is the natural reward of the efforts
Of an honest and economical administration.
No small share of the credit for this reduction
belongs to the head of the Treasury Department
And this concession implies no disparagement Of
his associates and subordinates. All by their
zeal and fidelity have contributed to Mr. Bout
wells success. Nevertheless, the essential con
dition Of financial prosperity is good manage
ment at the head If this is wanting, the
heaviest receipts will be squandered and the
honestest officials labor in vain. Indeed, in
consequence Of the power and influence Of the
Secretary, he becomes largely responsible for
the character Of those subordinates whom he
does not directly appoint; and in more direct
sense he is held answerable for the official con-
duct Of all lie is expected to exercise general
supervision over them, to discover and award
deserving merit, and to detect and punish mis-
demeanors. The laws under which the national
revenue is collected and disbursei are framed
10 a great extent in accordance with his recon-
meudatious And to the extent to which the
Secretary is held responsible for fraud and dis
honesty in the revenue service, should he have
the credit for that honesty and faithfulness which
have obtained such gratifying results.
IfMr. Boutwell's success is greatly due to his
careful supervision Of details, it is still more pc
culiarly the result ola sound general policy,
well carried out. By his policy We mean no
profound financial scheme His administration
has been characterized by 10 elaborate plans
1t has been such as to inspire confidence by its
simplicity and steadiness, rather than to attract
attention by its novelty. The Secretary has
even been severely criticised by unfriendly jour
mails for the absence of any policy. Yet be has
one. well defined, and above all successful. 1t
is to collect the revenue promptly and honestly :;
to disburse the public money with economy and
good Judgment and to apply every spare dol
lar toward the payment Of the national debt.
This is Mr.. Boutwell's - policy 1t does not
commend itself to the Democracy. because they
would rather have the debt increased than their
predictions fAlsifei But the mass Of the people
who prefer a straightforward, practical course TO
any refined schemes, Will thank the Secretary.
His tactics are those Of the old soldier, who said
his strategy consisted in getting as near TO the
enemy As possible and then fighting him. What
ever theorists may say this is the system for the
people.
Is il not about time to change the Statute
which requires a majority vote Of 1.-The freemeu
present, to elect a town representative, The
town Of Searsburg iallotel hir'y-ssra times
without a choice. At tie recent election. and the
meeting then adjourned without making any
election The town Of Jericho, in this County,
with between 500 and 4G0 voters, viii be uurep-
resented in the coming Legislature because after
talloting f1e.u times the voters gave It up and
adjourned without q choice some half dozen
-rl , eel --rr, "a sin. p.