The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-01-24
THE WRIrIsG ON THE VAIL.
ECONOMY AND EXTRAvAGANCE.
II RADICAL ARRA1GNs HIS PARTY.
A Bombshell among the MASTERS of Pub
lie Money.

A Bombshel1 among the MASTERS of Pub
lie Money.
The first crack in the political surface was |
heard on Monday! The sound will reverbe-
rate throughout the country The talk on the
avenue, in the hotel corridors, in the depart
ment bureaus, and assuredly in the White
House, was about Congressman Dawes speech
on the League Island bill in the House. When
he commenced, there was but a thin attend
ance; but as rumor gave the tenor of his re-
marks, the galleries and all available places
filed with listeners. The CONSERVATION in the
party was universal. The speech is regarded as
the boldest indication yet of a pow erful and
determined ''bolt' from the tyranny of the ex-
trcmsts, who are pledged to ''protection" of
reconstruction, to extravaganza, corruption,
and a party rule more rigid than Thad. Stevens
himself would have dared 10 impose. 1t came
like thunderbolt in the midst of the feeling
of quiet security among the Radicals that they
had hoodwinked the people on their yaunted
claim that the party had cut down the eX-
penses from the amount it had reached under
Jolnsons administration.
WARNING TO TUE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
The speech is regarded as the protest from
the minority, who perceive the danger menac-
ing the Republican party, against the scandal
ous waste, jobbery, and prOiigacy in the de-
partments- notably that of the navy-and the
countenance given by the Obstructionists in
Congress, who are pushing the organization
headlong to political ruiz. The more sagacious
Republicans have determined to staye off the
impending destruction, ifposslble, in Difference
| tc the alarm everywhere exhibited in the
country at the vast increase, nearly fifty mil
| lions, according to Mr.. Dawes own showing,
over the appropriations.
MORTAL BLOW.
The Washington correspondent of the Bos-
ton Post writes on Monday night that the blow
at President Grant by the comparison Of eX-
penses with those under Andrew JOhnson's
| administration the excess being twepty-elght
| millions Of dollars. was mortal one. Already
| the party chiefs are ruling Mr.. Dawes out OF
party favor; they accuse him of recreancy, call
| him traitor, and dcnounce him as In full COM
munion with the opposition. His defence Of
| Hoar was q pithy, but gallant one, and his own
| position ut this moments alike creditable and
honorable rs indicating uncommon courage and
an independence only too rare in the Republi-
can ranks. Rumors are rife of the resignation
of Secretary Robeson. The Pennsylvania dele
cation is wrought to the highest pitch Of rage,
| and threaten Massachusetts, with summary re-
| taation. Senator Sumner has been stalking
like huge tllrkcyc0ck from group TO group
cndeavoring to harmnniZc matters, but was
pushed rudcIy out of the way by Judge Kelly.
who declares the bill shall 20 through at all
hazards. Mr.. Dawes is indeed the lion of the
period. and is already considered fairly on the
course for the next Presidency.
TIE SCENE IN THE HOUSE.
Almost the first business undertaken after
the assembling of the House was the consider
alton of the bill for the transfer of the Phila-
| dclphia navy yard to League Island. 1t was cX-
pcctcd that it would go through without any
special difficulty. although there had been some
| intimations that the Chairman of the Commit
tee on Appropriations would oppose it. But
the blast that subsequently came was unex-
pected. Catching the eye of the Speaker, Mr..
Dawes. in tranquil, easy and fluent manner,
began his remarks.
MR. DAWES SPEECH.
In the beginning, Mr.. Dawes showed that
under this measure, If it could have been
forced through under the previous question,
the secretary Of the navy could sell three mil
lions of the property at private sale, of the
Philadelphia navy yard, to whom he pleased,
when he pleased, and on what terms he pleas
ed-the only obligation on him being that he
should obtain the approval Of the President,
who, from the nature Of his duties, could pay
no personal attention to the proceedings. Mr..
Dawes questioned whether the state of the
Treasury warranted the enhancing OF eXpen-
scs, and called the attention OF the House to
the estimates furnished for navy yards during
the next fiscal year, as follows: Portsmouth,
N. H.. $5777.O00, against $4,000 last year BOs-
t0H, S74I,j4l. against Sl00, 200 last year New
York. sS335Il, against 100000 last year
Philadelphia, SILL against S25, 900 last
year; WashngtOn, s551,T against $4,000
last year Norfolk S25s, ,3l2, against $50, 900 last
year. In short, the Secretary of the Navy pro-
posed. besides the $500. 900 for League Island,
total expenditure Of S3,GO7, 1894, against $45l,-
600 last year.
MATHEMATICS.
The estimates did not inspire him with much
confidence. although the Secretary promised
to effect saving Of 81 100000 In the article of
coal alone, which had cost $50, 900 for the last
two years. That was an achievement In
mathematics which found parallel one in the
achievement OF The POstmaster-Gcneral,w who
proposed TO save $4,000, 900 year by the abo-
Iition of the franking privilege, while the frank
cd matter would not produce 5000 He
thought if the two mathcmaticians who had
prompted these two Secretaries could he
brought to light and set TO work, they could
show that the public debt might be paid before
the expiration of the administration. The book
of estimates for the next year contained appro-
| UTlltlOus pliuilS hoiho w tiS uhiouhe Va
s2l, ,s25, ,l73. against appropriations for the sane
objects last year Of S5,493,OOO. The admfiis-
trateh OF Andrew Johnson had been ac-
cuscd of proligucy in expenditures. The
pcoplc had tried it on that charge, and found
it guilty. and had taken from it the sceptre
of power anu put itin the hands OF the Republi-
can party on its professions Of economy in the
administration of the public service. The peo-
pie intended to hold them to their promises.
But what was the first evidence they put forth
to the country of their determination to carry
out their pledges? While he knew the unSra-
cious position he occupied, he proposed TO
speak plainly. but only to his party friends In
the House. He knew there was not much
comfort to he derived from the wounds of q
friend. Andrew Johnson, in the last year OF
his administration, had estimated that he could
carry on the government for s303, 100000, and
that amount had been cut down over
S2O.0OO,00O.
What did their own administration estimate
that il would carry on the administration OF
the government for Il year for? Why, s3ll,-
09I, III
AN INCREASE OF OVER TwENTY-EIGIIT MILLIONS
beyond the amount required by Andrew john
| con and M increase of S49, ,531 over the