The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-02-18
From the Boston Post.
Extravagant Expenditures.

As the President is simultaneously call |
ing upon congress Tor increased taxation,
and for appropriations for terrifying the
coast, it is specially appropriate to review
the habits of extravaganza to which the
administration has been addicted, aud to
note the causes which have produced the
present stringency in the revenue. When
more money is needed, no such idea as
that OF Ietrenchment seems to be thought
OF the sole resource is heavier taxation.
In considering the matter of Notifications,
it Is most natural to consider also the mat
te- of the navy. Mr.. Burleigh, who rep
resents the First congressional district oil
Maine, has made speech on this very
subject, and he is an excellent witness on
this point Suppose, therefore, MIR. Bur
leigh be put upon the witness stand, aud
requested to testify. His testimony is
open and clear. He asserts that $50, 900,
600 have been expended by Secretary
Robson during the past fifteen months,
and that the whole material of the navy is
not worth more than twice that SUN to
day. Even for what Mr.. Robson has ex
pended in the past year and quarter,
Mr.. Burleigh asserts that more effective
feet could be constructed than the country
now possesses, after having cost the people
$35U. UUO, QUO. and upwards, since 1860.
The treasury report for 1872 shows the
following figures, representing the cost OF
the navy from 1860 to 1863 inclusive, and
from 1870 to 1873 inclusive: 1860, $ll.
5l4,649 "a 1861, $l2.3S7, l56 81; 1862,
$42, ,653 %; 1868, $63,26l, 235 81.
For 1870, S2l, 1902 SO; 1871, $19,43l,-
OPT 81; 1872, $2l ,249. 800 SO; 1873, $23,
SIC, 256 10. Showing that the navy cost
twice what it did in 1860, although it is
far less effective than it was before the
war. Mr.. Burleigh's speech lets the tax
paying people into the secrets OF this
wasteiui expenditure. But he Omits from
his calculations the lavish use Of money at
the different navy yards, while elections
are pending, of which a memorable exam
plu was furnished here at Charleston, only
last autumn. The money then squan-
dered in the futile attempt to defeat Gen,
Banks, drove hundreds OF men from then
winters work on which they had relied for
the support of their families.
The entire list of public expenditures
may be Pone over with profit to every cit
izen, for the review will show him thai
the country Is taxed vastly more than II
should be- in time OF peace, and that, q:
resumption can never be brought about
put Dy co1tractlon, so extravaganza Is u
be cured, not by more taxes, but by re
trenchment in expenses. In 1860, tn.
public expenses, called met ordinary,
were very nearly 100000, 900 in 1861, ,
little oyer $6l,5OO,OOO But 1870 the!
were $l35, 78l, 1904 ,9S in 1870. $I23. 80,
932.7O; in 1872, $l24,66s, 453.4S; and il
1873, $751;, l29,2lO,O4. These expenses
let it be repeated, are the ordinary ones o
the government, and do not include tn
interest on the public debt and pensions
One hundred and City one millions in 1871
against less than sixty millions in 1860
We are at peace, yet the year OF peace
1873, cost us twice and half what III
year of peace, 1850, cost. When an
where is retrenchment to begin? TheI
is no call for an increase of the arm,
ments on the coast, There is no deman