South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1875-05-21
Real Retrenchment.

duced to Appointment peace basis, such
as existed before the civil war, but al.
lowing Tor the intermediate growth of
the country, the present extravaganza
and the taxation necessary to maintain
IL must continue, This is self-evident
proposition. The Republicans have made
no honest effort during the last 6 years
OF Grantism to curtail these expenses.
The ku-Klux bills, enforc ement acts,
and other violent legislation, were in
vented for partisan objects, and as pre-
fences for enormous appropriations of
public money. The patronage thus cre-
ated was distributed in the Senate and
House of Representatives, so that the
Republican majorities may be said to
have had personal interest in keeping
up this costly and corrupt system.
A reaction has commenced, and the
country has emphatically pronounced
against these prodigal practices. Re-
form is demanded, not only because it is
right in itself, but for the more urgent
reason of o general prostration in trade
and business, which exacts economy
from the State as well rs from the indi-
vidual citizen.
1t is alleged by the authors and abet.
tors of the existing scale Of expendi-
lures that positive reduction cannot be
made without shock to the whole pub
lie service That may be true, but it
does not affect the necessity Of the pro-
posed remedy.
When q limb is amputated to preserve
the life of human being, it of course
shocks the system, and wooden leg or
arm is no particular ornament or con-
venience. But this local privation bears
no comparison with the life which sur
gerry saved.
Chronic abuses have grown up and
fastened themselves on all the depart
ments, which can only be removed by
the knife. No tampering with them or
quackery will satisfy the exigency.-
They must be cut out, root and branch,
like consuming cancer, with stern
nerve, cool head, and n steady hand.
The cost of carrying on the Govern
ment can he reduced fifty millions of
dollars year, without impairing the eff
ficiency OF an honest administration.
To do this effectively. the magnifccnce
of generals and admirals must give way
to simple habits, sinccures must be a.
polished. and public officers become SER
wants of the people who are taxed to
pay their salaries.
Let us sec how this reduction can be
accomplished without harm or injustice.
During The last five years the army. un-
der Grant, has averaged cost of $i3,-
800, 900 per annum in round numbers
for $4,000 men. II is contended that
10000 soldiers are abundant for all
wants; but reduction of one-third n
lone Of the average outlay would save
S14.500,000 year.
The navy during the same period has
averaged $23, 500.0 900 in round numbers,
against about 100000 year precc /
ing the rebellion, when it had double
the vigor. A return to the old scale
would save $lO,O00,O00 per annum.
The civil and miscellaneous expenses
for these five years have averaged $685.
800, coo n year, against S26.000,000 n
year for the five years preceding the
rebellion. This monstrous difference is
partially explained by the prodigality
in public buildings all over the country,
the multiplication of Offices, and jobbery
in variety Of forms. a reduction of
$4,000, 900 n year ut the very lowest is
practicable without arrangement.
The Indian service has averaged more
than $6,50O0O0 year for this period,
against about $3,jOO,OOO for the cores
ponding time before the rebellion, when
the Indians were nearly double their
present number. Thus 100000 n
year can easily he saved from this
source. These four appropriation bills
would. with the proposed reductions give
the following savings, respectively:
Army Si45oO. OUo Nisce' civil $50 OO0, 600
Navy 10000 600 lud. service 1900, 600