Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-02-16
Reform in the Government.

At a time like this, when the Government is
bankrupt, and q public debt is accumniating with
fearful portent, it becomes the people OF the United
States to inquire into the causes that have pro-
duccd this unnecessary result, and to hold the
party in power responsible for the distress and
ruin it has wrought. With a Democratic Presi-
dent and Congress, we find that things are still
growing from bad to worse, and 'ha, even Demo
cratic Journals at the Capitol begin to despair OF
any wholesome Improvement.
The Washington States puts the following per
tinent inquiry;
Is any man simple enough to expect any whole
some reform of the present Congress! The SEES
sion has been spent in idle demonstrations oi I'M
potent purpose, and it will close without an hppre-
cciable result. What have uc witnessed during
the last few days! With n clmmendablc zeal IN
the public service. ardent patriots have remorse-
lessly curtailed the proportions Of cxpen llture by
striking out an insignificant item. and Afterwards.
in Q moment Of returning reason. have reconsid'
cred their vote. and authorized The appropriation.
Never in our life have We been 50 hsru ted 10y nn
exhibition Of infrm purpose and fictitious enthu.
siasm. If members from the lightning intended
to report their speeches ut the expense Of the treas
ury. why make n show of reforming the abuse ,
IL they are really resolved to diminish the public
burdens, why do they spare their own eforbitnnt
lncOmel II IL 20 thtlr purpose W cCuh'hi'ho ~"
Federal expenditures, why hc content with the
suppression of an inconsiierahlc mission, or the
suspension of work on tue Capitoly
Why, inquiries the States. do members of Con
gress "spare their own exhorbitaut !neome?"-
From eight dollars a day, they have mcoas'it"-
fionally increased their pay to about thirty five
dollars for the short session. with n continuance
of the enormous mileage which was laid when
ia -
average of twenty-five miles u day. The mileage
of a member Of Congress. from our remote posses
sions, is a fortune Of itself, and u fraud upon the
people.
We see no efforts made, however, TO correct this
enormous abuse, whilst. rs if i~mpelled to n spas
modic effort, we see this Democratic Congress H.
Illustrating the old saying about "watching the
spiggot and letting out At the bung.' The pro-
gress Of the public buildings must he arrested
humble mechanics must he turned uut Of employ.
ment the business OF the country must be more
heavily taxed in the matter Of postage-in short,
the work of retrenchment must begin everywhere
but at the right point. Will the people longer
submit to such outrageous imposition? Can they
sustain the party that keeps such men in power ?
We concur in the opinion of the States, that the
men now in Congress are incompetent to the work
before them" and that the most of them
ought to be turned out. Let the good work Of re-
form 60 on. Lot US begin here in Virginia. Let
the people be fully enlightened respecting the
acts Of their rulers. Let every press and every
stump in the State charge home upon the authors
of all this mischief, the crimes they have commit.
ted, and the people will rise in their might to
hurl them from the places they have abused. The
masses Of the people are honest; they are impress
sible; they will hear the truth, and when convinc,
cd, will act upon their convictions of duty. We
want an active oanvn~e Of the State. such AS we
have not had since lS4o-and it will tell fearfuily
upon the fortunes Of the dominant party. Let us
have it by all means.