Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-03-11
SENATOR MORTON ON THE ADMIN
.ISTRATL0N, ETC.

Morton's speech at the recent INDIANA
Republican State Convention
ECONOMY IN ExPENDrrUREs. sF
Economy is the WORD:
Retrenchment and reform are the order
of the Administration, and are being
pushed in every direction. Congress is
working diligently to reduce the expenses
of the Government to the lowest point
consistent with its efficient operation and
the protection of the great interests COM
mitted to it's care. During the eleven
months of this administration great re
forms have been effected in various ways
The amount of revenue collected upon
tae same rates of taxation have been
largely increased, as compared with an
equal period under the administration of
Mr.. Johnson. During the first eleven
months of this administration the amount
of internal revenue collected was $780,
334,681, being an increase of $19,966,3S6
over the amount collected during the last
eleven months of Mr.. Johnson's admins
tration. During the same period, the
revenue received from customs was $780,
33,S45, being an increase over the
amount received from the same source
during the last eleven months Of Mr..
Johnson's administration of $9,738, AL.
These reforms have been effected in less
than year; during which much time
was taken up in the reorganization of the
Treasury Notwithstanding out cor
rupt and inefficient officers and putting in
new ones, and in overhauling and re-
pairing the entire machinery of collec
tions. Much greater results may be ex
pected in the next twelve months, when
the main machinery will be in successful
operation, and honest and energetic Off
GERS, with full knowledge of their du-
ties, shall faithfully and efficiently execute
the revenue laws. During the same Pc
riod Of eleven months, as compared with
tie preceding eleven months, the expend-
lures of the Government have been
largely reduced. The economy of an adj
ministration must be judged by its actual
expenditures, and not by the estimates
for appropriation, which are generally
made by subordinate officers, often care
. lessly, and always intended to be large
enough. Judged by this rule, the admin
istration of General Grant, if it shall go
on as it has begun, will, as | believe, all
things considered, prove to be the most
economical since that of John Quincy
Adams.
Thus far the President has realized the
most sanguine anticipations of his friends
and although the tongue of calumny has
been busy with his name, and systematic
efforts have been made to take away from
him the confidence of the people, he stands
higher to day in their admiration and at
lection than ever before. His ability and
integrity will triumph over all the ISLANDERS
of his enemies, and carry him through the
ordeal to final success
During the last eleven months of John
sons administration the expenditures were
$327,067 ,28453. During the first eleven
months of Grants administration they
were $271 1927, 10000, being reduction OF
$50, 9,981.44
The comparative account Of the two ad-
ministrations thus far, made out for an
equal period, stands thus:
Reduction in expenditures .$55, 139, 1881 "A
Increase of internal revenues ..... 10 966, 3360t
Increase in customs. .............. 9,735, al OF
Making an aggregate gain of $84,844, 808..
Al for Grants administration, which il
worth mere than that many millions OF
Democratic platforms and promises-in
fact, these latter constitute the most worth
less and deprecated currency known to
political history.
During the first eleven months of Gen
eral Grants administration the public
debt has been paid off to the amount OF
$S0,643,971, which has beensdone by the
application of the surplus revenues to that
purpose, while during the last year of Mr.
Johnson's administration the debt was
only reduced $500, 718, although the tax.
alton was greater than it is now.
BY increase of revenue, resulting from
the honest execution of the laws, and the
reduction of expenditures effected by re-
trenchment and economy, Congress will
be able to make a very considerable re-
ductlon OF the taxes, and that believe to
be settled purpose before it's adjourn
ment; and 1t is not improbable that this
reduction may be fully equal to $50,00O,-
O0O. And the taxes may be still further
diminished by reducing the amount which
we shall annually pay hereafter in the
discharge OF the national debt. We in
Tend to pay the national debt, every dollar
OF 1t, and to liquidate some portion of it
every year; but am opposed to paying
IL on at the rate of $100000000 per
annum.
10 pay it off at this rapid rate would
sound very well III foreign parts, but
would De an unnecessary oppression of
this generation. The next generation will
retain the same relation towards the men
who put down the rebellion that we do
TO the Fathers of the Revolution, and it
would be right, in justice and morals, to
let them pay a part of this debt, which
was contracted for their benefit as well as
ours. There are those who think it would
De splendid thing to pay off the entire
debt within twenty years, but the next
generation would not thank us for that.
any more than the son who inherits a
large fortune thanks his father for having
lived life OF parsimony and selfdenial'
would therefore relieve the present
generation by turning over to the next a.
considerable portion of the debt, which,
In their vast increase in population and
resources, VIII rest upon them as a trifling
burden If our population shall increase
IN the same ratio as it has in the last
twenty years, we shall, at the end of the
century, thirty years hence, have one
hundred millions of people, and our
wealth Will have increased in far greater
ratio. Q 0'''o-
This may be done by funding a portion
OF the debt into long bond at the lowest
rate OF interest, which will be accented.
1t is the purpose of Congress to reduce
the rate of interest upon the BODY of the
debt by funding into new bonds, If posi-.
pie, all that part which is subject to re-
demptlon and control. Whether the time
has arrived when this can be accomplished
we do not know, but the effort will be
made.
The tide of emigration is rising higher
and higher from day to day. The honest
labor, intelligence, science and wealth are
coming to us from every country in
Europe, and our growth and progress are