The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-04-28
Written for The Spirit of Democracy |
FROM WASHINGTON CITY.
WASHINGTON, D. c., April q

LII. oEiislI oiuCe ldSt WTOJc 10 you
the House of Representatives has passed
the Senate bill fixing the maximum
amount illegal tender notes at S400, ,000-
600, thus settling the doubtful question
whether or not the Secretary of the
Treasury could increase the legal tenders
up to that sum. This is claimed by some
to be expansion, and while it may, and no
doubt will, lead TO an increase of the cur
rency SlS,000,0O0, it cannot really mean
expansion, but certainty as to what
amount of legal tenders may be in circu-
lation.
A bill has also passed the House fixing
the amount of National Bank currency
at $400, 100000 Should this bill become
a law,it will give considerable increase to
the volume of the currency, but if by
careful fnanciering and the proper organ
ization of new banks in localities where
there is an insufficient number to do the
business of those localities, and where
the need of money is most severely felt
the increase in the currency will not ne
cessarily form new basis of business
This bill seems to be well guarded in this
respect, and it is to be hoped the Senate
will throw around it additional safe
guards for the purpose of enabling it to
meet the demands of Western and South.
ern business, and thus while it may not
increase the wealth Of these sections, to
the injury Of other sections, it can afford
them ready increase Of circulation that
will facilitate healthy business as a sure
means of wealth.
Great efforts on the part of Eastern
capitalists are just now being made to Sc
cure the veto Of the President to this first
act; and just now, while am writing, two
delegations, one from New York and the
other from Boston, are here for the pur-
pose of urging his veto. Should the Sen
ate pass the other bill, still more strenu,
ous efforts will be made to secure his op-
position to it. 1t is to be hoped, and l
feel safe in saying it is believed, that he
"will fight it out on this line against them
and give his signature to the bills. Fur
thermore, when they have become laws,
that those whom they are more particu-
larly intended to relieve, will see to it that
they embrace the opportunity, and not al
low the advantages to fall alone into the
hands of money centers. who, if they can,
will use the increase for the purpose Of in
creasing the price of gold, thereby add
ing to the expense of all manufactured
goods.
As I said in former letter, this winter
has been noted for Investigations an6
permit me to say right here that a large
number of legislative investigations do
not seem to amount to much, and yet
they are the best protectors against cor
ruption iu official or fiduciary position of
any other thing. A public servant who
is inclined to be corrupt hates investiga-
ton. He fears it, No matter what are
his intentions for corruption. He has it
before him that others have been investi-
gated, and he stands exposed to the same
dangerous inquisition. l think can say
of the investigations of the past winter
that they have been searching and press
ed with vigor. What is to be the immedi-
ate result, their completion only can de-
termine. One thing is certain, that in
several instances gross irregularity in the
performance of contracts are very appa-
rent and have been clearly shown. While
the contracts themselves have not, in
most cases, been open to objection or
corruption, the completion of the con.
tracts have been open to severe and rep
rshensible objections, and the public has
suffered from those whose duty it was to
see the contracts carried out and not to
permitting the work to pass which is
much inferior to that agreed upon.
On the question Of appropriations, the
elections Of last fall have had a decided
effect. Economy seems to be in the
mouth of every one, and yet l have no.
ticed some very singular facts growing
out of the discussion of the appropria-
ton bill. For instance, the rapid increase
of bureaus and chiefs of divisions in the
various departments of the government.
A man as clerk can, according to grade,
only get from 81 200 to s1,S00 per year,
and considering the expense of living in
Washington, this is moderate wages
But let him become favorite, and lem
edy is soon at thand. A new bureau is
created or new division made, and the
clerk is made the head of one of these, at
salary of from $4,000 to $4,000 It's
not pretended that some of these heads OF
bureaus are not necessary. On the con-
trary they are absolutely necessary. But
the necessity has been traduced AMI ahus-
ed,and at present in the Treasury Depart
nent alone there are twenty two bureaus
of business, besides chief clerks and
heads of divisions, and it was asserted on
the floor of the House, by Judge Cole
man, and not otcontradicted, that one of
these heads of bureaus was at present on
salary travelling in Europe, having his
travelling expenses paid by the Govern
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