Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-05-20
Retrenchment and Reform.

ne report OF the COliliuiltet appoluteu Oh
this subject at late meeting of the citizens
Of this county, has occupied some spac" in
our columns, and has probably has been read
by some of our readers. 1t is about such a
document as might have been expected, and
at all events, is worthy of consideration by
all interested in the subject matter, however
erroneous may be some Of its reasoning and
conclusions.
We are all agreed that retrenchment and
reform are desirable and necessary, both in
domestic and public affairs, at present.
Some of us have learned that in tolerably
good school during the last two years. The
next question is what to reform wherein to
retrench? And here
"Many men of many minds
will differ For example, in his private at
fairs, one kind of man will commence re-
trenchment first in his charities, though this
sort Of men have generally very little margin
in that particular for retrenching. Another
will commence in his bargains, by beating
down shop keepers, mechanics, laborers, and
all with whom he deals, in the just and usu-
ual price of their several commodities. This
is common species of retrenchment. An
other will commence in his family-with his
children, his wife, his domestics, and every
other possible one with whom he is connec-
ted, except himself, cutting off, indiscrimi-
nately, every article Of expense by which he
is not Inconvenience and forced to deny
himself. Some farmers retrench by buying
the poorest stock, seed and implements they
can, to save expense. Others commence re-
trenchins in their newspapers, books, and
the schooling of their children. Another
class Of men retrench by system Of spong-
ing and borrowing of their neishbors, and a
settled plan of trying to get everything they
desire at some other body's expense. This
is one of the most frequent forms of domes-
tic retrenchmcnt.
Now it is evident that the notions of any
Set of men on public retrenchment will vary
just as their practice in domestic retrench-
ment 10 some, one class of objects will
seem worthy Of retrenchment, which another
would think the last to be touched. Some
will go in for retrenchment which will bear
as heavily as possible on others, and as lightly
aspossible on themselves Some will demand
retrenchment first in the public charities and
works of benevolence and humanity. Others
will rather retrench in the items of public
information and instruction; and others again
will be for the practice of what is popularity
called ',jewing" down those with whom the
public deal, and obtaining the greatest posi-
bic service, or value: received, fer the least
possible consideration.
In the report in question the first object
of attack is the salaries of State officers
The committee think that they are too high,
and recommend reduction of one-third, at
least. That is, Governor, 1888; Attorney
General, 1865; Secretary Of State, Treasu-
rer and Auditor, $1,000; Judges of District
Court, $1,000; Supreme Judges, $1,000
We dissent from the Committee. The pres
cnt salaries are just living salaries, and are
better earned and afford less of margin
after merely necessary expenses are paid,
than the income of any OF the committee
who made this report. For example, our
present District Judge is kept on perpetual
stretch of severe and exhausting labor for
forty-eight out of the fifty-two weeks in the
year, during twenty seven of which he is
away from home, and his ordinary expenses
are trebled. His salary is $1,000, and he
saves out of this, perhaps, one-tenth at the
most, of what his abilities and learning would
secure him in the practice of his profe ssion.
Poor Judges with low salaries have been the
curse of this State. We hope that it will be
a long time before they return upon this dis
trict, at least. And so with all other State
salaries. They are nothing like what men
Of character and ability, fit for the offices,
could make in their ordinary occupations.
As to the appropriation for contingent ex-
penses We would like to have more partc-
ular statement of the items. In the present
state of enlightenment, with the committees
researches to assist us, we know about as
much with reference 10 them as we did be-
fore.
AS to the appropriations for the expenses
of the General Assemblies, the committee
have not deemed it necessary to specify as to
what and wherein they were excessive, and
what were necessary and what not so that
we are left in the dark on that item.
AS to newspapers, our committee have
contented themselves with giving the amount
Of appropriations and calling them "wasteful
and extravagant," without giving US the
amount or nature of the work done-whether