North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-09-29
WHOLE No. GIG.
National Expenditures,

OF the government since Grant became
president, accompanied with much boast
ing about the honesty and economy of the
present administration.
/ Will the men who are engaged in this
business tell in what departments econom-
ical reforms have been introduced, and
how the expenditures have been lessened :?
ilsw much less will the war and navy de-
partments and civil and diplomatic service
cost the current fiscal year than they did
for the year ending on the last day of
June?
/ While vaporing about reduction of ex-
penditures, some little attention should lie
paid to the causes permitting the reduc-
ton. To attribute it to retrenchmcnt in
the different departments, is a deliberate
attempt to deceive, and is gross misrep-
resentation. Mr.. McCulloch was called
on, as secretary of the treasury, to make
heavy payment for purposes which were
accomplished when the payments were
made, and which.do not recur under Mr..
Boutwell's administration. There were
heavy payments for bouutes; the pays
lnent for the purchase of Alaska pay
ments account of the freetnhen's bu-
reau payments on account Of reconstruct
ton larger sums for the payment of
interest on the public debt than Mr.. Bout
we'll has been obliged to meet; and heay-
ier payments on account of the army.
The present administration may show
something Of a reduction in army and
navy expenses, but the republican party,
or rather, congress and Grant, must be
held responsible for maintaining an army
i've times as large as in 1860 for several
years after the close of the war. presi-
dent johnson said the cost of main tanning
military governments in the south was Of
itself Il sufficient reason for total con-
demnation Of the reconstruction ineamy
lie wanted to cut the ARMY down, but
was opposed by Grant and con sress. They
wanted large standing army to carry out
thelr revolutionary purposes, and in case
OF defeat in the presidential election to en-
ploy the army on some pretezt fer resisting
the installation of a Democratic pres idcnt
1t was the duty Of Grant, as general, as it
is now the duty of Sherman, to recommend
the reduction of the army to the lowest
standard consistent with the public safety.
Whatever reduction of expenditures may
be shown in the war department is simply
an evidence of the iniquity of Grant and
congress in expending more than was nec>
s'otfsfs
son.
y comparison of the ordinary expenses
Of the government in the last year of John.
sons administration with those under
Grant will slow that there has been no
such reduction as the republican newspa-
pers claim. The whole amount Of expen-
ditures has been at IL less rate, because Of
the payments by Mr. McCulloch for the
objects above named. To say that the
reduction has been on account Of economi-
cal reforms introduced, and that these have
saved to the country SAC, 100000. is cons
tcmptible demagegism and falsehood.
Grant has spent the summer at race
courses and watering places. Secretary
Fish has been taking his ease, with Dig
nity,at his home On the Hudson. Selvct,,ry
Rawlins gave more attention to the duties
of his Office than his health would permit,
and, probably, did materially reduce the
expenses of The war department, inasmueh
us that department under Grant and STAN
ton was rotten concern. Boutwell, and
Cresswell have been looking after Jacob
nical interests in Virginia, Tennessee,
Mississippi, and Texas. Attorney General
Ioar has cen rusticatingin Massachusetts,
Secretary Robson turned war steamer
into pleasure yacht, and has bsen recruit
ing his health by q long cruise in northern
waters.
1t is a notorious fact that this country
has never before had a president and cab-
met who gave SO little time to their Official
duties as Grant and his cabinet. They
have, in fact, by the descrsjen.ns their
posts, and diligent hunting after ease and
amusement, said to the people Of the
country that the president ard heads OF
the departments had no duties to perform.
Notwithstanding this, we are told that
they have been hard at work in planning
and carrying on reforms which are saving
the government fabulous sums every
month.
The truth is, that moro rotten admins.
tration than the present one, or more con-
temptuoua of its duties, and with less re-
gard for the public interests, has never
heen saddled on this country. The ordh
nary expenses of the government, accord
ing to Boutwe.rs own showing, are more
than double what they ought to be, ana
evsry journalist Of the ruling party knows
this to be fact.
Bishop Lee, of the Episcopal diocese ef
Iowa. has written letter to Bishop Mc>
4 Ilva;na of Ohio, arguing in favor OF mod
/ erote changes in the prayer book Tor the
benefit of those whose conscieAces are
troubled by certain expressions. The
Bishop does not have any seruples him
self but is supposed to be charitable
toward others, for the sake of harmony |
and unity. Would it not be we'll for the
Episcopal Church of Illinois, and for the
cause of Christian peace and charity, II
the Bishop Of Illinois could have infused
int, his cold nature little of the spirit of
his Iowa brother? p Chicago Post.