The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-02-27
CONGRESSIONAL ECONOMY.

National Union.
CONGRESSIONAL ECONOMY.
Ever since the announcement Of the result
Of the Presidential election, the Republican
Press has been lavish Of its plaudlts Of the
economy proposed to be inaugurated under
the incoming administration. We have
certainly verv good reason to expect chat
General Grant upon bis assumption of Pres
idential duties, Will advise an economical
administration OF affnrs. Representative
Nasuburne's known intimacy with the Pres
ident elect, and his recent strenuous forts
at retrenchnent, are prOgDOsucs significant
VI the dawning of badly needed econOmi-
cal era. The General during his short ad-
ministration of affairs in the Department. Of
War, exhibited an unistakabIe earnestness
in the curtailment Of expenses, which We
hope be may continue TO do after entering
upon bis duties as Chief Magistrate. Hs at
tanned during the war, a reputation per haps
greater than that of AnvSother living man,
which bic sterling good sense leads us 70 be-
iieve be will jealpusly guard to the end,
thar il may RENE. u unsuAlied. He cannot
be blind to the TACT that q continuance Of
The existing infamous extravaganza Of our
Government, must inevitably entail a total
Reputation of our Indebtedness aud conse-
quent National dishoDor, and seeing this he
certainly will rtf-se to counteDance it's con-
tInuance. Perhaps no man ever entered our
Presidential Chair since the death Of the
Father Of bis Country" Who possessed in
more supreme or unanimous degree the
confidence of the whole people. Even the
press If bic opponants is teeming with arti-
cles expressing its belief that the Generals
demand for peace be made in the letter ac-
cepting the \, miustion. We have faith 70
believe that this confidence is not mis- placed.
There is certainly un abundant field in
which to work, a fed Of extraordinary d.
uensi0Ds that few seem to appreciate.
Within the few years last past, the "lobby''
has been bleeding the country at a fearful
rate, and 50 great has become its influence,
shat in -bort month through its deft man
ipulations We find our already enormous
debt increased fifteen and a bali millions.
The reduction Of the tax on Nhiskey to soc.
per gallon. bich il was almost universally
conceded would increase the national reTe
nue., It has traDsr ired was q W aterloo vie
tory for the ''Ring" through which il bias
deiraoded the TIeauury of positively fifteen
millions, and possibly much more. 1t was
donein this wise. The ring bad purchased
the pledge of a sufficient number Of Con-
gressDen 10 support The reduction, and also
20 vote against the reduction first, as a
blind TO the peol IL. The fret vote was
taken, and as every body supposed, the mea-
sure was killed. But the R.og Immediately
set about ! urchasing every gallon of WINS
key olready IL Bind. After they bad &C.
9 mllisheu this, the reducuon was made oy
vote Of Congress a. previously framed, aud
Government received but SOC. on many mil
hons OF gallons hich we're place d in BOND
where the tax was Yet 81, and which should
have pald it that amount. The swIndle was
~ having the reduction made TO apply to
the liquor in bond a the time OF the passage
81 the bill This il an immense, but only
one iteIO.
II cost the people the snug little sum
Of $6.307 ,69l 10 run the two houses
Congress during the fiscal year, which ended
June 80, 1868. Under an economical con-
duct Of the Two Houses, one-sixth Of this
sun ought 90, and would suffice. or this
six Mill Ds and bali, the enormous amount
Of 81 ,207 ,69l was for contingent. incident
al, or expenses not provided for in the geDer-
al estimate. The share Of the Senate, pend
ed entirely upon it's members, is @730, 000-
or over $4,000 to each Of the seventy-t~o
gentlemen ~ho compose that body. The
printing q Congressional documents alone
cost 81. 400, 900. II is impossible shat these
ed. there should be enacted slsw compelling
the publication in detail of the manner in
whicb these monies are expended. We opine
that such interesting documents would cause
our poor gullibls taxpayers 60 stare, AID
TO put sn immediate and decisive veto u,os
the lavish extTayagabcs in which Congress-
iOnsl austsrity has become 90 prone 20 in
dulge at fearful cost to the dear people.
The several Pacific Railroads and other
Lobby schemes, which have accor led govern
mental aid, have also been persistent and
successful teaches upon TIE Treasury. In
land alone, they have already been given
one hundred and trsrty.fo1r mislions oil
acres in addition to the untold millions Of
noOsy hieh governments Z n granted shem
subsidy, or made itself liable fer. Forty !