The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-12-29
REFORMATION RAMPANT.
Millions Of Dollars to be Saved An
nually to the People by the
Retirement Of Orna-
mental Officials.
THE pRoGRAMME.

THE PROGRAMME.
APPROPRIATIONS TO BE REDUCED AND BOGUS
CLAIMS INCoNTI6ENTLY REJECTED-PRE-
PAIRING FOR A BOLD ATTACK ALONG THE
WHOLE LINE OF CORRUPTION.
The Chicago Times of yesterday contained
the subioined special from Washington: A
tall, earnest-looking man with threaten
ing gleam in his eyes and grim, economic
expression of countensnce, now
daily hsunts the departments, greatly
to the terror of the idle clerks, who see
in this energetic man q foreshadowing
of their untimely emo as servants of the re-
public. This vigorous inspector of depart
ments is Samuel j. Randall, chairman OF
the House committee on appropriations.
He and his fellow members are working
hard during this ordinarily idle and glut-
tony encouraging season of holiday times.
AS outlined in these dispatches some days
ago, the great feature OF the democratic con-
gress is not to be one OF investigation but
one of reform and actual cutting down OF
expenses. The watch cry of the appropria-
ton committee is now q reduction OF S4O,-
OO0, 600. This is to be the objective and
Observation-Disclosures point of RandalPs
researches. It is his opinion, as
it is of nearly every one who has
had experience in Washington life, that the
halt the expense now incurred. Mr.. Randall,
who is an old member, of long experience In
the transaction Of government business, Is
especially gifted for the purpose of discover
ing the useless features of public service,
always provided that he is inspired by
really honest desire to institute reform for a
better reason than ordinary political capital.
The new committee broOms are about TO
make a clean sweep. Heretofore dozen at
least of the secondary committees appointed
by the House have existed only in name on
paper.
THEY HAVE PERFORMED NO SERVICE,
carried out no purpose in the internal econ
omy Of the House or the departments.
Though originally designed to check extrav-
agance and watch the expenditures OF the
various executive departments, they have
acted rather as cloaks to the overcrowding
and overcharging which has been going On
for years in the interest of the administra-
ton. They have never saved the country
penny, nor blocked the passage OF ring
steals through the departments. On the
contrary, their passive acquiescence in the
extravagances of the departments has en-
couraged the Robesons, Belknaps, and Della
nos to such thievery as have been family
foreshadowed in the Williams lsndaulet
and Delano's Indian exposures. Urged by
the administration and aided by the Senate
and House, these committees have ignored
the first articles of their business, and have
served rather as decoys than guardians Of
the public purse. But a change has come
over the spirit of this tradition. The new
committees not only intend TO make them.
selves active elements of congress, but.
| in many cases, they have already set
| to work, and some OF the chief men
| in the administration are more than un-
happy. Each chairman of the committees
| on accounts is charged to make special
policeman of himself, read up the rules OF
the House that define his power, and then
strike home tor every useless or dishonest
| account submitted from the departments.
| In looking over the rules of the House OF
Representatives, it will appear that these
committees are charged with full power for
the proper discharge of their duties. In the
| first place, they are required to see that
proper
VOUCHERS ACCOMPANY ALL ACCOUNTS;
| second, that all claims allowed are paid out
of funds appropriated therefor and in con-
formity with the appropriation laws. They
are also to report upon needed legislation,
and the law makes 1t the specific duty Of
the committee to report all possible re.
| trenchments and abuses of the government
service, with the number of useless officers
To properly carry out the regulations passed
| at the time of the establishment of these
committees, viii involve the greatest pos.
sible labor. To eliminate from each depart
ment all the official dead-wood requires
great study and discrimination, so that nc
Injustice or real injury to the service may be
done. The committee on expenditures in
the state department has for its
chairman Mr.. Sanger, of Illinois. He has
thus far shown himself to be exceptionally
energetic. he will find an ample field in
the wide domain of consular membranes
down X
penses. The department in the city here
has very small force, and Is economically
managed. The only field for reforms is in
the foreign service. The committee on ex-
lpenditures in the treasury department il
one of the most important of all. Smith
Ely, jr., of New York, is chairman. A
proper working of this committee will shoN
up the rotten ring claim business, of whicI
the Witkowski and Sugg fort frauds are
shining examples. There are upward o
5000 people employed in the treasury de
lpartment, many of whom perform
| PURELY ORNAMENTAL SERVICE.
There are also in the treasury account
items of many very ingenious official trips
arranged so that the favorites are allowed
to travel at government expense. Mr.. Ell,
will, among other subjects, examine int {
the necessity of sending smart young clerk
abroad at the treasury's expense upon whs
is known vaguely as Syndicate business
Hester Clymer will have charge of the &C
counts of the war department.. He will max
dead set against fancy military expeditions
known as official inspections, gotten up al
! ways in the summer for the relaxation o
J the powerful mind of some weary official
J He will also put an end to the publication
of the reports OF engineer officers for privat
use. He has an entertaining way sbou
him, and is preparing several bills which
will doubtless prove very amusing to Bel
KNAPP. George NJ. Beebe, of New York, ha
the navy department. Mr.. Beebe is new
member. He has already given significan
evidence of the stuff of which he is mad
by warmly advocating the holding of tn
House caucus open to the public. 1
man fond of doing his work In th
open day ought to be honest. On,
especial set of accounts he will neve
allnw and thasa ara tha racank az