Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-06-05
From the Milwaukee Sentinel, May 2Sth.
NOT ALI, WASTED.

IH0iO dlS tWo lnluSo, IHdo nav
transpired in Washington this winter
which go far to redeem Congress from
the imputation that it's time has been
wasted. In the first place,the estimates
for public expenditures have been re-
duced about thirty millions. In these
times this fact will be especially APP
preciated. In the second place. there
has neen series of Investigations
instituted which has put an end to
abuses which hitherto have been CON-
Iparatively unnoticed, principal among
which is the moiety system.
Were Butler well, with his own de
termination and all the eloquence of
Dernosthenes and the sophistry of
Kschiner, he could not persuade Con-
gress or the people that such iniqui-
ties as the Sanborn contracts should be
continued. The House of Representa-
tives has already eensured those con-
nected with it without reference to pol
itics, and it is not likely that its opinion
can be changed. The investigation of
the affairs of the District of Columbia
has put an end, for the time being,
at least, to the populations of the ring.
In these cases, it is the expositions
which are made which are the irresistible
arguments for change. A practice
which, when brought to light, in this
country, can not stand scrutiny, has
received its death-blow. The Repub-
lican party has not shrunk from fear
lessly getting at the truth Of matters
viii CHI seem to cast some reproach up
on itself 1t has stood nobly up to the
work Of self-purifca ton, which is the
only method by which a party can
long retain the confidence Of our peo-
pie. A vote of censure upon a mem
Der of it's own cabinet is something
which the Democratic party has never
had the hardihood to attempt, though
the provocations for it have been fire.
quent and marked.
1t is this spirit Of honesty which
has made the session valuable to the
country. The time wasted can be par
doned in the liz hit Of this great boon.
Retrenchment and the holding of pub
lie officers to strict responsibility are
what the people demand. There was
a growing cry that corruption was ex-
tending and prevailing. Congress
probed after it, and where it was found
took steps to eliminate it. Rarely
has a session been so obedlent to what
it thought the popular will. Its first
step almost was to repeal the salary bill
passed the year before. 1t is pref
ty hard thing for Legislative body to
repeal the salaries of its own members;
but it was done by decisive MAORI
ty and with very little debate. In re-
gard TO the finance question, it is diff
cult to-day to say what the people
really want. The Eastern papers
claim that the Western members who
voted for initiation were mistaken
as 10 the views Of their consi,tu.-
ents; and perhaps some Of the
Eastern members were also. 1t was
this spirit OF doubt which prolonged the
discussion and evolved the uncertain
ac ton Of Congress and had its influence
doubtless in the presidential veto.
When we remember that the income
of the government was necessarily re-
duced by the panic and consequent de
preston Of business, we can more
readily appreciate that affairs have
been economically administered, from
he fact that, W i,h the exception Of an
h iatus of month or two, the public
debt has gone ca steadily deere asins
and this through no increase of tax
alton, but by keeping vigilant watch
on leaks in the treasury. Congress
fully redected the sentiments of the
people in this particular, and acted up
ON them.
Thus, while We are disposed to scold
about good deal Of irresolution and
delay in many matters, we find that a
little sitting will give us some gooo
wheat from the chat. For what gooe
we have let us be truly thankful, at al
events.