The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-01-13

after allowing for the growth Of popula-
ton, is more than l50 per cent. But
the growth Of population aud premium
on gold have really no bearing on large
portion Of the annual expenses. Dir.
Buchanan received a salary of S25 900
and General Grant receives precisely
the same salary of S25 GOO, without any
increase either for growth Of population
or premium on gold. The members Of
the Cabinet also receive precisely the
same salaries, aud are precisely the same
IN number, as in the year 1860 The
same remark will extend through a wide
range OF expenditures, aud it shows that
where salaries are unchanged, aud the
number Of officers are not increased, the
expenses should be precisely the same
now as in 1860, inasmuch US they are
not affected either by the growth Of
population or the price Of gold.
Next let US compare the miscellane-
Gus expenses in the two years:
Miscellaneous expenses 10 1871 40,llG. .7G2
Miscellaneous exPenses in ls60, 2O,G5s,OOT
Even this statement does not fully
expose the enormous extravaganza Of
General Grants administration under
the miscellaneous head The Post Office
Department, for example, is much more
nearly sell sustaining now than it was
Ia 1860, owing to the far greater amount
Of paid matter sent through the mails.
The deficiencies in the postal revenues
are classed as miscellaneous expenses in
the Treasury accounts, and fairness re.
quires that this item be ded from
the miscellaneous expenses Of both the
years VIC are comparing.
In 1871:
Miscellaneous expenses, $40, ,IlG, ,TG1
Post Office appropriation included
therein, S,7oo,OOC
Miscellaneous expenses proper, $50, ,4l6,7Gl
In 1860:
Miscellaneous expenses, $50. .65s .0O1
Post Office appropriation included
therein, s,ls6 ,OOs
Miscellaneous expenses proper, SI2,46l ,99s
IL will thus be seen that, proper al
lowlnce being made for the differing
deficits in the postal revenues, the mis-
ccllancous expenses Of the government
have trebled since 1870. There eau BE-
no explanation consistent with honesty
aud economy Now let us compare tho
expenses for the Indians in the two
/ years
/ Indian expenses In 1871, 81. .42G, ,99l
irdiAn expenses in 1860, 2,727, ,65,
Some persons might think this differ
ence at least partially accounted for by
the Indian wars Of the last year; bul
this would be mistaka. The militar,
expenses 60 into the accounts of tn,
War Department, aud the ordinary ex
peuses for the Indians into the account.
Of the Secretary Of tho Interior, whence
we have taken the figures for botl
! years.
There has been an increase Of 40 pei
cent, in the expense of foreign inter
course, although we have about the samt
number Of ministers aud consuls, re
ceiving precisely the same salaries, al
in 1870. The expenses of Congrcs;
have been enormously increased
Congress in ISL, s6,50O,e7
Congress in ls6o. 2,el9,52!
Some increase ia the expenses o
Congress can be nationally explained
but uot the actual increase, Three new
States have since been admitted, an,
Virginia divided, making eight addi
tional Senators aud there are ten NOR,
mombers Of the House Of Representa-
tives; that is to say, an addition o
eighteen members to both houses, who's
aggregate salaries would amount to onl,
$4,000, sum too insignificant to b
considered 10 this comparison. 4 NOR
important allowance which fairness re
quircs to be made is the fact that tn
/ salary of members has been raised sine
1860 from 5000 to $500. But thi
makes a difference Of only 5000 600
year, where the increase OF Congression
al expenses is S2,3S6,291 a year. Tn
expense Of collecting customs has nearl
doubled:
Collecting customs In 1871, SC, ,s7
Collecting customs in 1860, 1924, 4s
1t is true that there has been erea
increase in the revenue from customs
but that canuot justify the enormou
increase in the expense Of collecting i,
| Tho number of custom houses remain
about the same the number of collect
ors is about the same; and in othe
ports than New York there has bee
hardly any increase Of appraisers nn
clerks Large additions to the bushes
Of the custom house bysno means re
quires a corresponding augmentation 0
expense. 1t would be prepOsterous /
suppose that the salaries Of the addition
al clerks employed amount to even one
tenth Of the increased cost Of collection
In the army there are more soldier
than in 1860 but we will not criticise
but merely state the difference of ex
pense, although there is no need Of
larger army now than then:
/ War Department in 1871, Si4, ,0sO, ,Os
| War Department In 1850, i6, 400, ,76
Nor have We any need Of create
naval force ; aud, in point Of fact, W
have not as strong aud efficient a nav
Us we had in 1860:
Navy Department in 1871, sl9,43i, ,02
Navy Department in 1860, Il,5ls,l Is
We youch for the accuracy of al
these figures, having copied them from
/ the oilieinl docunlents aeea,n na N vintr III,