Democratic Sentinel, Volume 12, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 September 1888 — James A. GARFIELD. [ARTICLE]

James A. GARFIELD.

“In 1860 the burdens of national taxation were light. All our revenues, including loans, amounted to only 876,000,000. Our expenditures were $77,000,000, and our whole public debt but £65,000,000. In the sear 1860 the tonnage of our ships upon the seas was 5,353,868 tons, which was more by 140,000 tons than in any other year of our history before or since. Twothirds of our imports were then carried in American bottoms, as were also more than two-thirds of our exports. Our exports that year reached the aggregate value of $400,000,000, which was forty-three and onehaff millions more than during any previous year. Our imports were $362,000,000, decidedly more han any other year. And I make this statement on the authority of David A. Wells, that in 1860 we were exporting to foreign countries more American manufactures than in any other year of our history. ****** The fact is, Mr. Chairman, the decade from 1850 to 1860 was one of peace and general prosperity. —Extracts from speech of James A. Garfield in the House March 6, 1878.