Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-01-27
The Hard Road of Retrenchment.

The following, from a Washington letter to
the New York Herald, fully illustrates what has
to be met on the hard road to reform and econ
omy:
Commissioner Pleasanton to-day had an in
terview with the President respecting the con-
solidation of internal revenue districts, and sub.
United plan for carrying out the proposed con-
solidation, furnishing the statistics of expenses
in collecting the revenue and what will be saved
by reducing the number Of collection distr lets.
The President stated that members of Congress
had asked him not to consolidate country dis
tricts as it would be detrimental to the political
prosperity of the party in ensuing campaigns.
Particularly was it urged by the Southern mem
bers, who are anxious to have all the advantage
the administration can give in the next Two
ysars. No objections seems to be made to the
consolidation of districts in cities, and it is
claimed the curtailment of revenue officials can
best be commenced in popuous counties, and
the expenses of collecting the revenue greatly
diminished thereby"
The above is taken up and handled in such an
able manner by the Cincinnati Gdsstte, that we
give below its remarks in full:
This is forcible illustration Of the difficulty,
almost imposibility of retrenching the expendi-
lures Of an elective governments No one ques-
tions the fact thus stated. Every rejecting mar
knows that this influence is at work in every
ramification of our government to prevent re-
trenchment, and increase the government eX-
pendture. What can a declaration of the Pres
ident do for retrenchment when every member of
Congress, and all his crowd of political mana
gers, and the whole opposition gang also, regard
this as cutting off their sinews and objects of
political warfare What can he and his depart
ment chiefs do for the civil service reform, when
to every individual member OK Congress and to
every local politician il is held more essential to
hava nj fnr a al rata yl,n io IN
competent, than to have faithful and compe-
tent man retained? If the head Of department
declares that upon business system Of appoint
ing and retaining the clerical force he could re-
duce the number one-third, he makes enemies Of
the Congressman, because their personal interest,
and, as they think, the interest Of the party is
to have more places. We think they are mis-
taken in this, and that these elements are con-
stantly working to defeat those who WELD them,
and that it would be a relief to the member to
have this patronage transferred to some inter-
mediate authority.
1t is plain that the work of retrenchment re-
quires high order Of integrity and patriotism
on the part Of members of COngress-an integrl-
ty and patriotism which will enable them to rise
above the policy of running the government to
the end of their own reelection and advance
ment. Virtuous declarations will do nothing
nor the cutting down of the appropriations, to
be made up by deficiency bills. 1t is foolish to
expenditures.
1t seems by the above that the members from
the rural districts and the transient members
from the South are willing that collection dis
trcts and officers shall be reduced in the cities.
This is patriotic in them. But they oppose the
application of this in the country districts not
because this consolidation and retrenchment will
impair the efficiency of the service not because
public interest and representative integrity do
not demand this reduction, but they want these
officers retained to work for their own re cleo
tion.
Where is this rule to end? Shall not the Of
fees be increased according to the necessities of
the party in power? If the chances of these
Republican members in the South begin TO look
doubtful, under the present means OF working
elections does not their rule require that more
Offices shall be created, in order to make theiy
calling an election sure ? And why should tue
metropolitan members be deprived of this re-
source The Hamilton county two districts
have been consolidated IN ono, and thus half the
collectors, and ASSESSORS and clerks abolished
No one pretends that the business will not be as
well executed nor that the other districts in this 8
and the other States can not be reduced one half
with the same beneficial result But, If il is to
be governed by the consideration of eleconeer-
ing resources why should the members of the
Hamilton county districts be deprived Of this
source? Are not their services and election CON
tingencies as important?
but lhe tact lhW reduction OF collection dis
tricts and officers 10 one-half the present num-
ber can be made, not only without any detriment
to the public business, but with positive benefit,
seems 10 be admitted, and tho opening wedge
has been driven by such consolidation in some Of
the metropolitan districts. Let lhe members
from these, together with those who by the force
of their own character aud position can rise
above this personal interest, push the same re-
duction throughout the country, and force all
who resist practical retfenehment to oppose Ii on
the ground of their own bread aud butter neces-
sity. As to continuing or creating officers to
help elect members to Congress, the country
does not want any numbers that are elected by
such means. 1t would rather they remained in
private life.