The Portland daily press., 1870-01-22

Mr.. Dave, and the Republican Party.
If Mr. Dawes of Massachusetts supposed
that he was to become martyr by reason of
his speech in which he complained of the ex-
travagance Of the estimates of some of the
heads of departments, he is certainly yerv
much disappointed. Instead of being de-
nounced, called "recreant," and read out of
the party, ne receives nothing but commen-
dation from all sides. The conduct of the
Republican members ofthe House in crowding
ABOUT Mr.. Dawes while he was speaking, and
congratulating him when he had done. has
oeen initiated by almost the entire Republi-
can press of the country. We have yet to see
single Republican journal that attacks him
directly or indirectly, on account of his speech
OF Wednesday. On the other hand while feel.
ing some doubt as to the perfect accuracy of
some Of his statements. they all praise the
honesty ofpurpose and the courage that ac-
tuated him in making his unexpected declara-
tons.
And, indeed, upon the hypothesis that Mr..
Dawes is an honest man, the party has rea-
son to congratulate itself on his speech. As
chairman of the committee on appropriations
it is peculiarly his function to exercise the
same care in regard to the expenditure of the
public funds that the Executive department
of the government has undeniably taken in
their collection. The administration of Gen.
Grant is enabled to pay off the debt at the rate
ofat least hundred millions year by the hon
esty and vigor with which it has collected the
revenue. The national credit has been strength
ed thereby. II now Republican Congress, by
the exercise of economy, can prevent the
wasteful expenditure of the public revenues,
every condition of financial prosperity will
have been fulfilled
No one seems to have been hurt bv Mr.
Dawes speech on account of its general
charges OF extravaganza. A few Pennsylvania
members disliked his speech on account of its
damaging effect on the specific measure under
consideration-the removal of navy yard-
and these alone have criticized or replied TO
him. No doubt there is much to be said in
explanation of facts cited by the Massachu-
sets member, and the country will be the
better satisfied with Republican rule from
seeing how boldly all things are brought to
light and made matters for public scrutiny by
Republicans themselves. If it shall prove that
he is mistaken on points-if the depart
ment estimates are not so unduly large as he
has stated, so much the better If his state.
ments are risidly accurate in all their length
and breadth, it is to Republican and "rad-
tear Republican and not to Democrat, that
the people owe the exposure of the fact, II
seems that the President is very little agitated
over the matter. A special dispatch to the
Boston Post says:
In conversation to-day the President in
cidentally referred to the speech of Mr.. Dawes
as to government expenses, and remarked
that it should be borne in mind that at the
close OF the war we had on hand an immense
amount OF stores, provisions, &C.; that these
nad been, from time to time, disposed of
ana the proceeds used to pay the expenses Of
tue government during the past four wears.
ana now they are exhausted, and we are nut
upon the resources from revenues. from taxes
and customs, to pay the expenses of the Gov
ernment; that the expenses for the armv and
navy were less during the last year than the
Without making such explanations, was cal
culated to create an erroneous and false i'm
preston.