Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-02-05
0rfora 1tmotrat.
Eoenonay in Pm1lic ARairs.

U HR NtSI PANCubAttktN VI bttt &tNt% n
ment during the war, with the great ex
pansioa ~ef paper currency, tended "a
create a spirit of private and public ex
trayaganee in Our hand, which must b,
sammarily checked, or bankruptcy anC
ruin Will stare Us in the face.
The administration of Andrew Johnson
which, happily for the country. is being
brought 10 a close, has been distinguished
for reehlessness in every particular, ana
in none more than the protligate extrava,
ganee and plumber of the treasury. This
could hardly be otherwise, since his AL
ministration has been under charge of $
set of harpies and political dead. heads,
who have used him as stoolpigeon IL
accomplish their neiarious designs. The
old prOyerb, that when the wicked rule,
the people mourn" has been verified all
through his term Of office. Ike new ADJ
miniStratiOn of Gen, Grant is called upon
TO correct the abuses which exist, and
from the antccedeRts at the oo4aaing man,
we have ne doubt about great REFORM
being commenced speedily. Mr., Wash
burn, ef HineiS, vho has always been
noted AZ the guardian of the Treasury,
and an old intimate friendO Genl. Grant,
undoubtedly speaks by authority when
he saws that the incoming administration
viii demand rigid economy ia the public
service. He has B,ade some Interesting
revelations Of the Deficiencies called tor
by the johnson oabinet In speech IN
Congress las; week, he said:
II is Tor Congress - inquire rigidly IN
T. the necessity and propriety Of voting
these deficiencies which the SECRETARY
estimates AT the enormous sum OF S2l.
100000. of tins amount fourteen millions
i for the army, Heccssitaicd IN great
measure by a consuming Indian war
which iSentAiliag extraordinary expenses
on the government The next current
amount i a estimated deficiency iaT Post
office department Of over SLJ0O.ove IN
CURED by eNtravagant contracts for un-
iustifiable extended mail service. Then
there Is tho estimate Of yearly SG65, Hro
for deficiency for public buildings when
we were promi>edthat the large amounts
that were appropriated last year should
finish the buildings Add 70 this amount
of665, oOp demanded 4 deficiency for the
fiscal year Tor the amount demanded for
the same purpose next vcar,S5. iSi,eee,
makes -. 900, zoo which Ne are sS6cd 20
vote Tor pubic iNild5ugs
Az ihi, SION Of Congress and Al the
present state ofthe Treasury, or indeed
in any state Of the Treasury, feel bound
~ denouuce /, a. the mvSt evtravaga0t,
uniUStiiiable expenditures Of the public
money ever asked Of Congress. There
are other deficiencies which have bees
made. and which we are called upon To-
make ~ that are without Justification, If
il u. considered that Congress has any
power over tine Treasury. IN view ofthc
stale ~ our iinanc,'s. aud deemng il Ia
diSpen>ably necessary to reduce our eS-
pen6iures ior the present year in every
way possible, ami in tuli GShi OF all the
facts. Congress appropriated only $50
o,si Tor coast survey this wear. In con
temp, OF the action oi Congress def
cheney in that appropriation OF Sl6o,"o
j. now demanded, not dollar ct which
trust VIII be voted
The Columbian Institute for the deaf
and dumb. private Institution in this
district. which has obtained nearly hall
q million dollar, GU, OF the government.
was given Sl2,j0O for this fiscal year lor
instruction, which was deemed ample aud
even generous. hat with a familiarity
with the whole action Of Congress on this
subject the President of this private cor
poration with unparalleled earontery AZ
r.igRs Congress Tor il action and de
mands Of IA sl5,5 so more ~ deficiency
for this year.
There are other Deficiencies estimated,
for which VIII IL scrutinzcd by the Ap-
preparation Committee before il repOr.S
any bill; on, one thing is clear Ii Con-
gress cannot control the expenditures OF
Government. if It cannot curb the TX
ecutiyg officer, of the Government in
spending the public money. and if such
officers an TO be left practically to deter
mine the appropriations. then say let
Congress abdicate. and let the people le
saved the expense OF keeping this exPeu-
siye and somewhat ornamental institution
The Military Academy we reduce near,
lv $4,000 on the estimates For army
and iJ:1.c atoms Si.6Sl.2pl i asked. and
believe We can get along with $3.50,
coo. For harbor and river improvements
and public buildings SS,4SG.0lS In nv
Judgment 5000. coo will be as much a
Congress would wish 70 appropriate IN
der both OF these heads. For the naval
establishment $50. S9S. ala. ~ are estina-
ted, but inthe Navy bill already prepared.
his Is reduced 10 about Sl6, 0O0. 600
which, il Is believed, viii answer every
purpose.
-MeSsrs Harrington of Fryeburg, and
Dodge Of Oxford. Members of the House,
have an eye to the railroads and the rights