New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-27

II
Republicans who are worthy OF the name
are not sorry that Democratic House pro-
poses to investigate, expose abuses, and re-
trench expenditures i'll every department OF
the Government. Investigation, exposure, and
retrenchment are exactly what such Republi-
cans have been demanding. They have been
disgusted by the extravaganza and wasteiul-
ness of the Administration. Reckless and
corrupt legislation has Disguised them. In
brave mood, which, unfortunately did not
last long enough, Mr.. Dawes made HIMSELF
for the moment the most popular Republican
in the country by ringing speech
against administrative and legislative extrava-
gance. The yearly repetition of demands for
thorough reform may have been mere clap
trap in the mouths of certain platform drawers
and convention gers, but to the majority
of Republican voters it was a solemn pledge.
They meant it. When they found that party
leaders did not keep their pledges Republicans
were disgusted, and thousands of them refused
to vote, while many voted directly for Demo-
cratic candidates. i'll order to put unfalthful
managers into political graves. Within the last
year, Mcssrs. BristOw and Jewell have become
among the most popular Republicans Ill the
| country because they have been investigating,
exposing, and retrencbing.
Neither do we doubt that the majority OF
Democrats desire such reforms. The mana
gers of that party, when they show DISPOSE
ton to overhaul every department, TO scruti-
nize expenditures severely, to take The roof oil
every public building and let the daylight
SHINE into every dark or dirty corner, are SIM
ply obeylng a popular demand. They need
not fancy that they hurt the feelings OF hon
est Republicans. 1t is plain enough that the
Republican voters are also anxious to have the
light shine into every room, closet,
desk, and pigeon-hole in the public
buildings. They have been worried by
continual scandals, now about this de-
partment, then about that bureau, and all
the time about the White House, and have
been particularly Disguised because Congress
has used whitewash too freely, and the Ad-
ministration has seemed a great deal more
Jealous to hide than to purify. Republican
voters want to know the facts. If their lead
ers or representatives have been knaves they
want to kick them ont, and fit as many of
them as deserve it with striped clothing. If,
on the other hand, any Republican leaders or
representatives have been wronged by Dem
ocratic accusations, the voters want an
| investigation 80 thorough tndU tue HucHty
of such men shall be made manifest, and they
are inclined to believe that it will be manifest
| if Democratic committees can find no evidence
against them. For the good of their party, az
well as for the good of the country, honest
voters want the investigation to be pltless and
| exhaustive.
| We hope Democratic voters will push their
representatives to such an inquiry. If they do
not, we fear the shrewd partisans may falter
a little in the good work. 1t may occur to
them that if the fires of investigation are too
hot some Democrats may get scorched They
may reflect that Republican voters are
| likely to throw aside instantly every Repub-
| lean who is found to be corrupt, and so
be prepared to go into the next cam
paign with clean and worthy leaders. Mean
while, Democrats may consider, there is pos
sibility that the same elements which sustained
Allen and Cary in Ohio and Randall and Wood
in Washington may make the contrast in the
matter of swift publication somewhat I'M
| pleasant one. Nevertheless, if honest Demo-
Gratis and all good citizens insist, the work of
| exposure must 90 on, hurt whom 1t may. If
! Democratic Congress refuses to let light shine
! into any corner the people will note that fact,
and suspect something. Let us have the whole
truth. Then let us see which party will deal
most faithfully with its scamps.