The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-06
WHAT 1T COSTS TO RUN THE
GOVERNMENT.

The Secretary of the Treasury figures
the total expenditures of the national
Government for the year ending June 80,
1895, at SAL, $4,000. and those for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1896. at $40. 434, 900.
Deducting from this sum $40, 600, 900 for
pensions the actual expense OF carrying on
the Government is $271, S79.00G this year.
and will be S270, 435, coo next year. This
was about the aggregate amount spent by
the nation twenty years ago for all pur-
poses. including pensions.
Considering the size and population of
the country the Government is run more
cheaply than most foreign Governments.
In the year ending March 81. 1898, it cost
the people of Great Britain S451, 1915, 900 to
run their Government; the budget for the
ensuing year contemplated an expenditure
OF about $5.000,000 more. The expendi-
lures of France in 1898. including Algeria,
were 669,000.000, and something over
$3.50. 600, 900 in 1894. The total eXpendi-
lures of the German empire average about
$3.50. 100000 year; but many of the out
lays for which the general Government
provides in this country are betrayed in
Germany by the States which are en-
bodied in the empire. Italy's ordinary
expenditure exceeds $3.50. 100000 per
annum; that of Spain about $166, 900. 900.
In these several countries the chief objects
of expenditure are the army and the navy.
which take the place of pensions in this
country. England's army and navy cost
about $3.50, 100000 year; those of France
about S166. 900, 600; those of the German
empire about 100000, 600; those of Italy
about SCI, 100000. These figures are really
below the truth; large sums are spent 10
all the European countries which are
charged to public works, Notifications and
construction account. and which should
really be debited to the national defense.
If the sum spent on the army and navy
of Great Britain were deducted from her
total expenditures the actual cost of run
ming her Government would be reduced to
about 1921, 100000. not so much in excess
of our expenditure of S270, GOO 600; though
even then it might specifically appear. in
view of the excess of population in this
country as compared with England, that
a monarchical Government is nearly twice
as expensive TO run as republican Gov
ernmelt But the cost of government 10
France, which is O. republic shows that
the form of government does not control
its cost; deducting Frances army and
navy appropriations from her total ex-
pendiiures we have still an outlay of
$500, 000 900 for administration, which is
nearly twice as much as the United States
spends for nation of 100000 souls. 1t
is difficult TO institute comparisons with
Germany. because under the constitution
Bavaria, Prussia. Baden and the other
great states have to bear burdens which
should properly deyolve on the empire. 1t
may be said, in general terms. however.
that if the outlay for military purposes in
Germany were checked the cost of govern
ment would be found to be as low per cad
as 1t is in this country. The same obser-
walton will apply to Italy.
1t must always be remembered in COM
pairing the United States with England and
France that many outlays which fall upon
the general Government in the two last
mentioned countries are In this country
assumed by the States. In France and
England the national Government policies
the whole country; here the cost OF po-
Icing, maintaining law and order and
Furnishing crime is borne by the States. II
the Government at Washington had to po-
lice the whole country Its expenditures
would probably not be less than those of
England, and. in view of the size of the
country thew might he mnch mora