Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-09-28
Republioanism VS.. Democracy.

of the National Government with extraVa-
gance and insist that there was tar more
economy and financial success under Demo
cratic rule. it becomes our duty from time
to time to consider the point and argue the
question with them. Extravagauce IN
| Republican government is at any time an
ofFense if not crime, and any administra-
ton guilty of it should be held to a strict
account. We hold that, under the circuIn-
stances, the Republican administration of
| General Grant has exhibited degree of
economy not to be found in any Democratic
administration that preceded it. To prove
| their position the Democratic papers, as the
| Newark Courier we'll observes, attempt to
| institute invidious comparisons between the
| governmental expenses of the year ending
juno 80, 1870, and the expenses for the
year ending at the same date in 1860, which
was the last year of Democratic rule, whence
emanated all our political woes. The heavy
expenditures rendered necessary by the war
| TO put down the Democratic rebellion have
been dishonorabIy charged to the Re-
publicans and the excess of expenses over
those of the last year of Buchanan's NAL
administration is set down as the measure of
| Republican extravaganza, instead of as the
cost of Democratic treason, as it should be.
This is peculiarly the. Democratic style of
argument.
| But, continues the same journal, fair
comparison shows that under the most dis
! advantageous circumstances, we have done
great deal better. While bringing order
out of Democratic chaos, and in the face of
| persistent Democratic efforts to embarass,
the Republican administration shows mark
ed saving and economy over the Democrat
| ic administration.
Let us look at the figures.
The cost of the last years administration
of the apostate Andrew johnson, who re-
turned like the Scriptural sow to his wal
! lowing in the Democratic mire, was $34S,-
| G56,245 The cost of the first year of Pres
ident Grant retrenchment and reform was
1922, l24, ,052-a clear gain in favor of Re
publican administration of over 500, 500, 900
in one year. Add to this the payments on
the pubic debt, and the exhibit is rendered
still more favorable to Republican admins
tration as compared with Democratic ad-
ministration, TAKE next the administration
of the ''Old Pub. Func ," James Buchan-
an, the would be last Of the Presidents,
in 1860. This is consistently referred to as
model OF Democratic virtue and economy
The cost of it to the people, to say nothing
| Of the terrible civil war it entailed, was, as
appears by the record of the Treasury De-
partment, $G4, ,733. This was a frac-
ton over two dollars per head, counting
every man, woman and child in the United
States. There is no reason for supposing
that the cost of governing the country ought
| to be less per head in 1870 than 1860. There
are many reasons why 1t should cost more
Our population has been extended over
greater surface, the Indians are moro tur
bulent, and troublesome disorders in the
Southern States incident to the Democratic
rebellion, continue to annoy us, and in the
Democratic party the government in 1870
has had a vicious opposition which the gov
| ernment of 1860 did uot encounter.
But how stands the comparison ?
/ l24,0 ,053. Deduct from this sum the inter
est on the war debt and other expenditures
| properly chargeable to the war, S2lI ,24I,-
| ll6, and We have the cost of the first year
of President Grant administration, which
Is $50, $50, 934 in currency. Reduce this to
gold, based on fair average premium for
! The year OF % 2-lO per cent, and We find it
| $65, ,65l,733. This. putting our population
at 40 900, 600, is fraction over 81 6f per
/ head, counting every man, woman and
| child. Buchanan administration in 1860
cost over 81 per head, or sc cents per head
more than President Grant administra.
ton Of 1870. Thus it will appear that the
| latter's expenses we're over one sixth anil
nearly one-seventh less than the model
| Democratic administration.
| 1t Is very proper in this connection to re-
view briefly the cost of Democratic treason.
The expenses incidental to the war were
during the last year, S2II, ,2H,IIG. Had
! there been no lebellion-as there would not
have been had it not been for the anarchi
cal teachings and reasonable practices of
the Democratic leaders-this expense would
have been entirely avoided This is the
exact cost in 1870 of the Democratic treason
of .S60-6l. 1t is about three times as
much as the regular cost of the government.
and over So 25 in currency per capita
While N :he year ending June 80, 1870, the
people of the United States have paid $2II,-
24l,ll6, OF So % per capita for Democratio
treason
Thus stands the record. Figures do not.
| if Democratic politicians do, lie. When
the latter talk about Republican extraya-
gsnce and heavy taxes. lee them remember
| these things; but as their memories are
proyerbially poor, perhaps it would be bet
ter for Republicans to remember, in order
to promptly and eifectually squech vain
ana empty 5oasting. Facts are mighty and
| will prevail.
REPTBLICANIsM IN Europe
had Napoleon surrendered at Sedan, and
France become Republic, before Spain
responded with exnressions Of s-,,,o.b,,