The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-05-09
ENGLAND AND AMERICA.


thought in the fact that British estimates and
expenditures so nicely coincide Therevenue
is carefully adjusted to contemplated expenses,
and the result is that there exists difference
of but few pounds between the two. The
writer was quite assured that should a surplus
revenue, such as is now enjoyed by the United
States, occur in England, the government"
would incontinently be compelled to resign
and 90 home. The contrast does not end here,
however The British government carefully
adjusts income to outlay, so as to avoid any
unpleasant plethora of money. 1t does more,
and, to render assurance doubly sure takes
care that no money is allowed to accumulate,
and does this by putting it to use.
One way of getting away with any possible
surplus is to maintain a regular army of over
100, 900 men. Another channel of expense is
in building and keeping up the finest navy in
the world. the best and most formidable the
world ever saw. Scores of millions are regu-
larly invested in steel armor and the heaviest
and best guns that can be built. The size and
importance of the British navy are not realized
by many. In 1882 it embraced nearly 400 YES
iron-clads, 800 were steam vessels, and the re-
mainder was made up of sailing vessels. To
man them was required d, 800 officers, engin-
GERS, seamen and boys, IL, 400 marine troops,
artillery and infantry, with their officers be-
sides 1S400 in the royal navy reserve,
and $3.50 volunteer artillery, making total
effective force of 1860. And in addition to
these 21,513 were employed in building. Sup
pose the United States should acquire navy
of similar proportions, what would become of
the surplus that now so vexes the eight-5y-ten
statesmen of this country?
Turning from these two items of expendi-
ture that the United States comparatively
knows nothing about, it will be interesting to
compare revenue receipts. For the fiscal year
1882 the total receipts of the United States
was 800, 446, 6l2. g. or at the rate less than
SO per head. For the same period the rev
enue receipts Of Great Britain were
$409, Ill, 40 90, or nearly $11 40 per capita.
The expenditures of the United States during
the same year amounted to but 1884, 900, 900,
while those of Great Britain aggregated no
less than 1927, 800, 900. The expenses of the
United States were at the rate of So per cap
tia, and of Great Britain upwards of $l2 per
capita, or nearly $50 per cent. greater. Of
the latter's expenses $l46, 600 900 went to
maintain the army and navy. From these fig
ures, secured from official sources, it appears
that Great Britain collects so per cent. more
per capita, and expends $50 per cent. more
per capita than does the United States. Great
Britain had surplus of nearly $50, 900, 900,
and the United States of $l55, 200, 900.
Deducting the former from the latter,
there remains 1925, 900, 900 more surplus in
the federal treasury at Washington than in
the imperial treasury at London, an amount
$2l 900, 600 less than is required annually to
support the army and navy of England Had
the United States collected taxes at the same
rate levied in Great Britain, our revenues
would have aggregated 1881, 400, 900, leav-
ing surplus of 1927, OOO 900, instead of
$155, 100000
Another fact, ignored by free traders, is
that the government of Great Britain
collects 500, 900, 900 annually in customs
receipts, without affording a pennys
protection to any of that countrys
industries. During the year 1882
the receipts from this source were no less
than 500, 800. 0OO collected, not from Injuries,
but from items like tobacco, tea, wine,
raisins, coffee, cocoa, etc.
If we are to profit by England's example in
the manner of getting rid Of surplus revenue,
we will have navy in proportion to our
standing among the nations of earth, and will
be able to command that respect and consid-
Grafton that the dignity of the republic de-
serves. This we could do by laying tax of
but IS per capita, as now, while England de-
mands $l1 40 from her subjects. The petty
oOaUoSLl0H VIM iA'No oohAoiio" Hl''uo cioH way
to the halls of national legislation, and
who cannot raise themselves above the pitiful
demagogy of planning always for reelection,
men who vote million to improve the navi-
CATION of some wet-weaeher stream, cannot be
brought to realize that there are great mari
time powers outside of our own, and that the
commerce of the seas might be ours had we
but some guaranty Of safety against hostile
powers. Situated as we are, we may get along
without an army, but the need of a respect
able naval equipment and of ample harbor
and coast defenses is so imperative that fool