New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-02
NECESSARY REFORMS.
Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune

Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune
WASHINGTON, March 20, 1850.
There have been two subjects of national i'm
portarce up within the last few days. which, strange
TO soy, have been insnffciently discussed There
should have been at least one thorough and ex-
baustiye speech on each. / mean the question Of
the increase of the pay of the Navy, aud the other
in relation to our Diplomatic establishment.
We do need some radical reforms in the admins
traton of national affairs; and if the democratic
idea of government u destined to farther deyel-
opm, Mt under our by bIid and antagonistc systems
of civilization, we shall not be long in coming TO
them. We ought to make il part OF our struggle
against The reactOnary spirit of our day, to shape
these reforms, and insist upon them.
The radical idea that les at the bottom of these
reforms, is that of stripping the Federal Govern
ment OF its patronage and its obnoxious influences
Our political struggles daily becoming more In
iensifed and more corrupt through the existence
of this patronage, and the efforts OF individuals are
constantly directed to its increase. If we wish to
abate political partisanshp, and diminish corrup-
ton we must strike ut their roots, and not at their
branches.
A most important step in this direction is the
measure TO which have already referred on more
than one occasion. That Of taking the National
our post-maste,s By contract, instead Of having them
made BY appointment. Mr.. Sherman's bill, cover
ing this proposition s before the House, and though
embracing great reform, it is TO be hoped it is not
too great to be considered and adopted at this ses-
sion, which affords peculiar and unusual facilities
for its unpIejudiced treatment. Parties are very
evenly balanced and neither processes to be absO-
utey certain OF success in the coming Presidential
election. Each therefore, may be willing to estab-
lish great Improvement and do a great national
good, when, at the same time, they think they may
deprive an adversary of great political advantage
If either party felt perfectly sure OF success, the
projected reform would be impossible. This con-
sideration ought to animate every man above the
grade Of twO-peDny politician TO endeaVor ~ Sc
cure il while it is within reach.
But the two subjects which have been up within
day or two, are our military and diplomatic estab-
lishments. 1hey are both Of the utmost importance
IN regard to the matter Of the patronage Of the
National Government. They both perpetualy press
upon Congress and the Treasury for increase of pay
and for extension Of service. And inch by iDch
they work their way. They have industrious and
powerful agents, and these agents daily become
stronger BY virtue of the momentum given 20 their
efforts by their growing successes. Little by little
is the army enlarged and not little by little is its
pay increased. For this increase has been great
and even extrayagant in some particulars Even
JEFF. Davis, the great patron and father of the
yesterday in debate, that it was now too great in
some grads of the service. The bill to increase
the pay of the Navy has, after several
years of importantly finally got through
the Senate. Upon this subject, speech
e1haustiDg the subject from both the economical
aud statesmanlike point of view was wanting.
There if no reason for increasing the pay of the
Navy, which has not always existed. The argu-
ment that carried the increased pay of the Army,
namely, that the price of living had increased,
answered dunng the flush extrayaeances Of the
Ie5J-6 era but il ID worthless, for it is unloun}ed
now. The cost of food and colhing to-day, for
man family, is no greater than it was fifteen
years ago. Luxurious habits have been, undOubt-
edIy, increased, and their circle widened, and
money is ayishly squandered in cities and large
towns. But what of that Is the Government to
ape the fools and the spendthrits This is very
poor reason for an increase. But a l0ftier con-
sideratOn exists against it. We do not want to
make places, either in the Army or Navy, attrac-
tive from their lucrative character. The natural
desire in man to play the bull dog il strong enough
without stimulating it by motives of cupdity also.
We do not or ought not 10 want to magnify the
only permanent official aristOcracies we have among
u.s. For this we do, in making positions in the
Army and Navy so lucrative as TO be objects
of solicitation and desire from the money
they yield. The present pay of the Army
VIGOROUSLY puts it in this position. And the Navy
spect. We do not want the beat blood of the
country drawn off into military channels 1t ia
anti democratic, anti-Republcan, to foster such
result. The army and thenavy are both offensive
missionaries. They are necessarily so IN every
country. They are more so in Republic than
anywhere else. This is true in theory, and doubly
tue in our own ease. The great fountain of anti
Democratic sentiment in this country is 10 be found
in both branches of our military establishment.
al Deonle regard thpmaelype Ia
the natural lords and masters of the people. All
military officers consider the common herd OF man.
hind as animals created for their particular and
benefit. They are esteemed to be- useful in earn
ing money and footing bills, furnishing ratons and
forage; good also as food for powder aud instru
ments for military renowD; but, beyond this, of no
account. And nothing can be more natural; for
the history of mankind has demonstrated that such
are the uses to which military men have always
put the people whenever and wherever they have
had the power.
The tendency of things in this country as it has
ever been in all countries, is to foster and increase
and magnify the military power. We are doing it
in this Government every day, either openly or in
sidously. This increase Of pay of both Army and
Navy, though comparatively small thing in itself
is vet far-reaching in its perncious influences in
this direction. The Republicans are in duty bound
TO take ground against these tendencies Ii should
be an active principle with them to check tine
growth and growing influence of our military estab-
lishments. They should also strike heavy blow |
against Federal patronage, by standing for the pro
jected reform in our POst-Orii. 70 Department |
They should go further, and insist upon n radical
reform in our diplomatic system. On the after
subject some valuable hints were thrown out in
debate day or two ago by two Senator'S neither
Of whom is likely 10 BE- accused Of being particu-