The Van Buren press., 1874-08-04
A Powerful Arrangement.

eloquent but truthful indictment against
the Radical party:
of what has just been stated by the
Chairman on Appropriations be true,
it is but corroberative oftbe opinion long
entertained on this side Of the chamber,
that the number of officers and the pay
attached thereto under the existing Ad.
ministralioa are too great. More than
once this has been asserted and shown.
So far as can remember we have recev-
ed but one answer, which consists of de-
nunciations Of administrations prior to
1890; the design being to conceal exist.
ing abuses aud extravaganza. And 40
! one has done 80 more persisteutly tNan
my colleague, Judge Kelly, who, when
this bill was under consideration, on a
former debate, took occasion to assert
concerning the administration of James
Buchanan that "there never had been
such season of profligacy as those same
four years.
Sir, during those four years purity In
private and integrity in public life were
the rule and not the exception. During
those years elections were free and not
controlled by military authority; the
freedom of speech and of the press were
not abridged; the right of the people to
be secure in their persons and effects was
not prohibited the right Of trial by jury
was not denied no cruel or unnecessary
plmishmepts were inflicted; innocent
men were not arrested by the " tinhling
of bell" and left to languish in the
fortresscs Of the United States during
the pleasure of President or Secretary !;
and innocent women were not hanged.
Then, sir. there was neither unbrdled
taking Of gifts, nor Wholesale appointing
OF relatives to Office. There were no
BLACK Friday" to be inquired into no
corners in gold or in stocks to be ac.
counted for aud no " Let and Stocking :"
! Jobs to be execrated. Collectors of Gus
toms were not forced to resign by out
ragged merchants, nor were Presidential
letters needed as f" bills of health for
exposed and deposed officials. Innum.
cradle and unnecessary Offices were not
created to support in uselessness and
idleness the barnacles clinging to the
party craft, and the presence Of the Fed
eral tax gathcrcr never darkened the door
OF either the rich or the poor.
Then, sir, presidential and other sala-
ries were not increased. neither was the
Treasury depleted by the use Of contin-
gent funds for the case, splendor and
luxury Of high officials. Our ships Of
war were not used as pleasure boats. nor
ere the soldiers cf the Republic EN-
ployed as menials in the streets and
houses Of this capital.
During those four years o Vice Presi-
dent of the United States was not In com.
pication with Infamous practices, and
sent to his home In shame aud dishonor
Then, sir, no man questioned the ntegri-
ty Of the Congress Of the United States,
nor was it compelled to purge itself of
those who had STEPPED themselves in in
fanny, by their connection with fraudulent
schemes, such as we're exposed by the
Credit Mobiler" Investigations OF the
Forty second Congress. In those years
sovereign States were not reduced to
condition OF vassalage, their substance
eaten up, their treasure squandered and
stolen, and their pleasant places made
everywhere desolatcd by the hand OF the
despoilcr The very dregs OF northern
vagabondism were not forced into their
highest executive and legislative posi-
tons by fraud and violence, and kept
there by the DEGREES of a corrupt judicia-
ry, sustained by Federal bayonets in de.
dance of right and justice and in con-
tempt of the will of the people.
Then. sir, from under the very shad-
ow of the Capitol there came no despair
ing cry from the people to be relieved
of and protected from the burdens and
exactons of the task. masters set over
them by Federal authority, whom they
accused Of mafeasance and corruption
by which their property was being con
liscAted, their means exhausted, and their
prosperity destroyed.
In that season of profligacy," as it
is stigmaized by my colleague, :he body
polite was not diseased to its core, 50
that it might be touched nowhere that
vile corruption and fostering rottenncss
would not ooZe forth. In those days
spies, informers aud moiety grabbers
were not hired and sent forth to prey
upon merchant. citizen, and corporation,
50 that favorites might fatten on dues be-
longing TO the Federal Treasury. Then
defaulters were not screened in their pee
uatioas, or pardoned, if by accident con
vcted, and their bondsmen left unmo.
Tested by reason of their social aud per.
sonal relations with those in authority
Then, sir, no wild railroad schemes
were fostered by the Government, by
which layman and priest. window and
orphan, were plundered and ruined
Millions and tens OF millions Of acres oi
the public domain were not given away
to lawIcss corporations without price and
for no confederation, and by them used
for the enrichment Of inside rings" oI
gamblers and spectators, who have
brought SHAME and dishonor upon ouI
national name aud credit.
| Then manufactures trade, commerce,
and business generally were not stricken
as if by the hand of para, lis, and starv'
ing men and women did not march
through the streets OF our cities crying
for work or bread, but receiving neither.
Honest industry received its just reward,
and bloated fortunes coined out OF the
necessities of the people wer. unknown /;
and in that day there were no privileged
classes Of bankers and bondholders,
whose Golfers were filed to overtlowing
by immunties granted at the expense oi