The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-12-06

year have shattered his nervous system. 1t
is unfortunate. too; he Is needed In Berlin
at this time. when the Deputies arc dis
cussinp the Budget for 1867, and seem in
no humor TO grant the sum demanded by
Government, which Is l69,00o,000 thalcrs,
a large sum, but not harder for the present
Prussia to pay than was 80, 100000 for the
Prussia Of 1915. The population of the
country has largely increased; manu-
features and commerce and agriculture have
been developed; and latelya large addition
made to the territory. (Howevcr, the sum
named does not include the expenses Of the
Government of conquered Provinces; they
are maintained from their own taxes, and
will SO be politically in no very different
situation from their former.) Naturally,
however, the lower House, to whom is COM
mittcd the determination of financial ques-
tons, wish to curtail expenditures as much
as possible. This cannot be done in regard
to the army or navy. II would be inlu-
dicious, or, as they think, suicidal now to
diminish their armed force. On the con-
trary, they are about to increase the strength
of the army, and 10 increase also the pay
of the private soldier. Hitherto he has re-
ceived two groSchen, or about six cents, a
day. After the LIST of next January he will
receive seven cents a day. This increase
seemed necessary to relieve parents and
other friends from the expense of support
| ing sons and kinSmcn in the army. In the
way of rations, they receive nothing but
bread, and six cents per diem would
not provide an elegant support. Really,
the addition seems insignitcant but withan
army of $4,000 it amounts to about s3,OOo,-
900 per annum. Nor can retrenchment be
| judiciouSly made in the school outlay. The
appropriation made for this purpose is now
very small, because each community sup
ports its own schools and the necessity of
general education is too deeply felt here to
permit any dimnution in the materials
and machinery of instruction. 1t is, indeed,
favorite theme Of the Liberals-the ad-
vance of morality in proportion to the dit
fusion of education. And teachers are not
very well paid here there is too much
competition, too many educated men.
There is, however, q direction IN when
retrenchmcnt may be made, and economy
and the general public welfare consulted
at the same time. The Democrats think
that the number of officials may be dlml-
nishcd, and the appropriation for their Sala-
ries leSScned, while the pay OF each may DO
increased. These officers, il is SAID, are 100
numerous for the duties which arc assigned
them. They ought to have good salaries;
for they must be educated men, who would
naturally move in good society. But the
present pay is altogether insufficient FOR
this style of living, and men will naturally
betake themselves to other cmploymentS.
Or there will be great temptation to cor
ruption; not tina. they are now specially
corrupt. 1t is too much to expect from
human nature that men in such positions,
where q certain political or other influence
is exerted, should be absolutely free from
this crime. Even in America, it is said,
public officers are not perfectly SpotleSS.
But it is the duty Of every Government to
remove its officers as far as possible from
temptation, and therefore TO give them
respectable salaries. In Prussia it is sup
posed that this is possible only by dimi-
nishing their number. If this were done,
the work would be better performed,
each man would be more thoroughly de-
voted to his duties, and the machinery
of government would become less cum
brouS. Circumlocution offices exist to a
greater or less extent in every country.
But it is we'll to remember that here, as in
judicial proceedings, the CumbrousneSS is
sometimes necessary TO eXactnesS ana JUS
tee,