Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1861-09-13
Retrenchment.

times caused by the present war are ma
king people cautious, saving, and we hop
more honest. At the late freeman
meeting in Coventry, majority of thu
voters present adopted the following res
oution:
Whereas, The present war greatly in
creases tue necessary expenses OF gov
eminent, and subjects the people to very
heavy taxation, which makes it desirable
to secure all reasonable economy in tie
expenditure, therefore
Resolved, BY the legal voters Of Gov
entry here assembled, that we instruct
our representative to use his influence
and example in promoting reform in
this regard, and to this end that he cause
bill to be introduced at the commence
ment of the session Of the legislature
providing that no money shall be drawn
from the treasury except for actual daily
attendance on the legislature, for travel
over the shortest practicable route, and
for services actually rendered.
The object sought in the above resolu-
ton is right in any view OF the case,
whether hard times or the dictates Of
common honesty be considered. Our
opinion is that our representatives should
receive just what they honestly earn and
no more; they should receive that at any
TINA in tinoa ri ,oooa o,1 -, ,;rno Of ,var
But this drawing long mileage and get
ting pay for one hundred miles travel,
when the distance traversed is not more
than fifth of it, is not according to the
fourth commandment "Thou shalt not
steal" And when the subject is broach-
ed to a member, while admitting almost
invariably that it is not right, his answer
is that the per diem Of members is so
small that were it not for the extra mile
age, they could not make it pay. This
is no doubt true. If their wages are not
sufficient, however, let them vote to raise
the per diem until it is so ample that our
representatives shall hereafter have no
excuse for stealing. We do not believe
there is a town in Vermont that would
wish TO have her representative go to
Montpelier and stay from five to eight
weeks, and come back poorer than he
went; each town would prefer that its
representative should go to the capital,
stay reasonable length of time and re-
turn home again with a pocket full of
honest pence. Nermonters do not com
plain of the amount OF money paid to
her servants; they admit their pay TO be
small; but they do find fault with the
manner in which some of that pay is
drawn. Complaint has long been made
because of the enormous mileage drawn;
people are getting more clamorous every
year they will be heard and obeyed.
Would it not be better to abolish all
mileage, or else reckon it by air lines
The first proposition would suit US best.
Then raise the wages of members from
two to three dollars per day, giving them
pay for actual attendance, deducting from
all absentees, and limiting the session to
a stated number of days, and if they de-
sired to prolong the session beyond that
period, let them do SO, but at their own
expense.
In connexion with the resolution pass
ed at Coventry, the following passed by
the republican convention at Barton,
comes in very properly:
ResOlved, That when we pledge our
selves to the full measure of our means
(if necessary TO crush out the rebellion,
we demand of the government a rigid
economy in the expenditure of money in
the civil departments, and the abolshing
of all sinecure offices.
With the exception of those who hold
the "sinecures," this resolution will meet
the hearty approval of every man in the
state. 1t is just what should be DONE
1t was never the intention, however, Of
those who reported it, or voted upon it,
TO carry it further than its passage 1t
strikes too near home for that. II was
never the design of the convention to
carry out the spirit of the resolution al
home ; the design was to exhibit their
patriotism where it would make the most
show at the least expense, and a well
worded resolve printed in newspaper is
the cheapest of all modes. II those who
have the handling of the political cards
IN this county, and in the third district,
who create and abolish offices, and who
appoint and remove men at their pleas |
ure--lt they are honest in their cry for |
the abolishing of a." all sinecure offices"
let them commence at North Troy, or al
Lake Bridge, or at Island Pond. and thew
will find ample opportunities for the ex-
ercise of their saving propensities. A
saving of $3.50 at North Troy, Of $500
at Lake Bridge, and some over $1,000 |
can be accomplished at Island Pond
The first two places are perfect sine
cures" with not one official duty to per-