Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-12-27
REFoRMa al


ton that the army will certainly be
doomed to a reduction Of $4,000, with a
corresponding reduction Of line and staff
officers. The appropriations for the
current fiscal year are $28, 554,9S7 70,
aud the estimates for the next year are
1913, 6s7, IFS so, besides other expenses,
increasing the amount to be asked for to
over $4,000, 900. 1t is claimed that
10000 men can easily be dispensed with,
and one of the strongest arguments in
support Of this proposition is based on
the fact that companies aud regiments
have been scattered over the South dur
ing political campaigns, when the pre-
sumption was that they we're not needed
elsewhere. Mr.. Randall is confident
that he can so reduce the expenses Of
the army and other departments as to
save $40, 600. 900 per annum. The Demo
Gratis demand the strictest r%etrenchment
and reform, and the Republicans will be
compelled to acquiesce in view of the
pending Presidential campaign. Power
full social Influences will be brought TO
bear on the rural members to
prevent the proposed reforms. which
would have the effect to displace so
many nice gentlemen from sinecure po-
s%itions, but the organization Of the party
is so firm that for once the lobby iniu-
ence will be almost powerless. For the
first time in fifteen years an example Of
economy and careful management of the
peoples affairs will be set at Washing
ton. The extravaganza there has had a
most baneful effect on the whole coun-
try, for the people Of State capitals,
commercial centers and the smaller
towns were ever ready TO ape after
Washington habits and fashions. One
Of the fashions was high taxation aud
large expenditures Of public money with
out regard to the ultimate sources of
revenue. This fashion, unfortunately,
has been too widely followed, and we find
State and city governments overwhelmed
with debts for which there is very little
to show. 1t is impossible, in many in.
stances, to meet the interest on those
debts, much less provide a sinking fund
to reduce the principal. There must be
a stopping point somewhere, a looping
of Of bad branches and an entire change
in the treatment of this great national
disease. It originated at Washington; let
the knife Of the reformer begin there to cut
out some Of the gangEene which has poi.
soned our whole system. The people
will say amen, ever if the blood Of fat
tened o~fiee-holders runs down, in a polit-
ical sense, to the gates Of the capital.
A healthy reaction is about to set in,
but it will take several years to counter.
act and upreot the evils Of the times
which have arisen mainly from an abuse
of power and public trust in the nam of
law and government, while the people
have footed the expenses day by day
until the country is on the verge Of bank
ruptcy. Mr.. Randall, as chairman Of
the Committee on Appropriations, has a
splendid opportunity to serve the public,
and as he has the experience and deter.
mination essential to the efficient per,
Torrance Of his duty, will introduce
some measures that will crafty every
good citizen and strengthen those who
have so long %contended, single handed,
against the eorruptions and prOdigality
Of the times. Mr.. Whitthorne, of Ten.
nessee. as chairman Of the Commit.
tee on Naval Affairs, will have
an opportunity TO look into Score.
tary RobesOn's late extraordinary
outlay in the navy, as il expecting a
foreign war. 1t is said that where one
fund has been transferred to another OF
any appropriation exceeded the Score,
taFy will be held accountable. As soon
as this Democratic Congress gets fairly
90 work Developments Of a highly inte-
resting nature may be expected, and we
have no fears but what the Tennessee
delegation will be heard from to the sat.
istaction Of their constituents and the
Democratic party at large.