Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-01-15
Theory and Practice.

3
TO be constructed at Rome. Proposals were in
yited for the contract, and two candidates came
forward One produced his drawings and pa
pers. and in a long speech explained his plan
and It's merits The other simply rose and said
that all his rival had advised he could de- III,
JOB was awarded him. Our classical Congress
men, who ike to show familiarity with Cicer,
and Horace, ought not to overlook the m"Io
homely but equally valuable truths, that oh,
Latin language affords. The particular apple
ton, which We would make of the above story.
is to the question Of economy, on which we would
have our legislators DO more and talk less.
With the exc. p,ion Of Mr. I. 3. washburne
who IS = practical As well as theoretical reform-
er. the zeal Of Congress FOR retrcuchmeut seems
largely to evapoate in windy speeches. There
are great many promises, solemn AMI satisfac-
tory, Of reform. bat very little real work. Every
day some worthy Representative declares empha-
tic1lly that the Augcan stables must De c.eauscd,
bat tho bold and stalwart lIerclles to undertake
the work still fingers in modest retirement. Ii
d word from Us could reach that individual IN
his rural retreat, We would saggest two good
opportunities for practicll economy.
There IS now pending in the Senate bin for
the payment Of a certain Miss Sue Murphy for
damages inflicted upon her property in the
South by the Union army The lady was loyal
throughout the war. and her case IS certainly
one for sympathy The cltim is small ami would
meet with lttle or 10 opposition if IT was the
only one Of the kind Bat its decision viii e.
blish precedent, and Washington i crowded
with Southern Unionists, equally deserving,
waiting to present their bills. It is conceded
that i one is paid all must be. Millions Of dol
lars aie involved in Sue Murphy's claim.
But the Government must be just before it is
generous The two billions and a half that We
owe, was mainly money contributed to carry on
the war 1t was an Offering to the cause Of the
Union. Sherman's " bummers " did not con-
f-ca,e any Northern cattle, uor did Grant seize
any New Engllnd cotton bales with which to
fortify himself before Vcksburg; but every
man who loaned the Government his money og
his services during the war, subjected himself e
gfeater or less priyation, the more crelitabe as
it was entirely voluntary. The circumstance
under which the property Of the Southern Loyal
;sts vas taken renders their case truly distress
ing, but such are the mistoriunes Of war. Tn,
present creditors Of the Government are first IL
the order Of time, and they hold the nation ::
certificates of Indebtedness. Every addition 70
the public debt lessons the chance Of It's early
extinction. Everybody feels for the loyal suffer
ers of the South. but in the present condition o
the Treasury must We not, at least, postpone tho
consideration Of their caims7
Again, practical and sincere reformer vii
toy to stop the practice Of granting Government
subsidies to every aew measure Of internal i'm
proyemeut that is proposed. 4 vast uum'ol
OF schemes are now before Congress to empty
the Treasury ia this way Many Consres- uier
work heart and hand with thelohoyists IN thisbus
.ines- Now we are in favor Of the ocean clb'
from San Francisco to China. Too many rail
roads across the Rocky Mountains cannot b
built government railway from New Yotl
to Washington, with richly cushioned cars fl
flstidiou, Congressman, would be a nice thing
Steam AMI telegraphic connection with all th'
:, ITS CT t. e globe, is grand idea But let then
he paid FOR by those who are able the govern
n mt at present is not. Before Uncle sam iu
vests his money in luxuries, We have few,
very f-w, sreenbicEs that we should Ike 10 hay
releernei Whether the government gives o.
io4 its money to all these magnificent enter
;erpriscs, makes no difference As Gen. Gran
says: every note that the United States en-
dorse. it has ultimately to pay. The easiest way
70 dispose Of these numerous bills for aid 10 thi
or tina, enterprise; is to throw them overheard
We 10 not say that there is 10 single exception
bat tho rule must be to postpone all such schemes
however worthy, til better times.
The man who advocates these doctrines II
Congress may not win a reputation for eioquence
h. may be ignorant of Vattel and Grotius ; he
may not have studied Adam Smith or the Law.
If Banking and Currency; Tut he VIII he ap-
plaulei by A taxpaying public with sincere
gratitude Mr. Washblrne has started well
let his example be initiated.