The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-11-13
The Public Expenditures.

The enormous increase in the cost Of
carrying on the Government in time OF
peace is due to the loose. prodigal, and cor
rupt system OF legislation which followed
the war, and for which the Republican
party il exclusively responsible. When
the rebellion closed III 1865, it was easy to
have cut of the excresccnces which, under
the prctext Of that great emergency had
fastened themselves on the public service,
aud by apolicy OF retrenchment adapted
g. the wants of the country and to the con-
dltion Of the finances, TO have established
basis Of expenditure in all the depart
menis that would afford immense relief.
Instead OF pursuing this plain and honest
course, Congress INDUCED in the widest
extravaganza, inflated the currency, de-
stroyed its safeguards multiplied offices,
and legislatcd for Rings, until finally the
whole artificial system burst like II bub-
bic, aud scattered ruin and misery over the
land. The abuses. however, remain in full
force, and they are supported by crushing
taxation, without any regard to the suffer-
ing and straitencd means OF the people,
who are compelled to bear this burden in
addition to other loads with which they
arc weighed down.
There is now Il general demand that
these excessive expenditures shall he scaled
down to the lowest point, ami that the
economy which is the enforced rule of pri-
waite life shall be applied rigidly TO every
branch of the public service. without un-
just determination to any part of it. The
oiliccholders and partisan retainers who
have been gorged with pay and plumber,
must expect TO share in the retrenchmcnt
which in all other pursuits has become "a
necessity.
We are maintaining an army with more
than double the force that is needed. and
u navy which is positive discredit abroad.
and nothing but n source OF squandering
aud stealing at home. The civil list is out
of all proportion TO the wants of the Gov
eminent. AMI rs has been seen in the re-
cent disclosures, is utterly rotten from
head TO foot. Tho Indians, though reduced
lii numbers and located within limited
territorial area. cost eight millions as
against three when they were scattered
aud counted sixty or seventy thousand
more than they now do.
The public printing AMI binding nj Wash
incton cost two millions n year, more than
Lulf OF which Is barefaced plumber. Clerk
ships have expanded into bureaus without
protcXt Of utility, and only to make more
places Tor the kindred amt favorites OF
members Of Congress and others IN power
There Is hardly "A sound spot in the whole
service. Waste, vennlity. nopotism. and
collision are seen bv the sQked eye wher-
ever the probe is put in
MANY of these abuses have become
chronic and are protected 10y political in
fuence on both sides, us well rs by social
connections which nmify extensively.
That Is the point of danger which every
attempt at reform must expect 10 con-
front. Superadded TO il, will be offers Of
patronage to members of the House with
the intention OF tying their hands and Sc
curing The usual appropriations.
Plausible estimates and cooked figures
vll he presented TO Congress in the hope
OF continuing the present eXtravagant cX-
Ionditure>, backed by every form of OFF,
cal and personal persuasion, and aided by
Il political lobby hired for the occasion. If
the Democratic majority in the House will
s'ernN resist this pressure from the outset,
aud determine TO save nifty or iifty-hve
millions from the appropriations they can
accomplish that desirable object aud iui-
tate policy by which the Government
can be brought back to its proper smpli-
CITY
The Republican Senate will OF course
resist any radical reduction, and strive
20 maintain the old scale of APP
preparations by giving up a few of
the most fragrant examples Of prodi-
gality. They may possibly he aided
10y Democratic Senators who have sons,
hrothms. cousins. sous-in-law, or other re-
lations in the army, navy, marine corps,
or evil service. Their hope is, that by re-
sorting 10 the usual plan Of disagreeing
ana sending the bills TO committees Of con-
ference, the appropriations may be sub
stantlally saved.
These tricks are well understood. If the
Democratic majority are in earnest, and
moan reform rs IA practical thing and not
as "a sentimental sham, they can enforce il
in spite of all the combinations suggested
ana Tie trcachery of false friends They
have only TO unite solidly, vote down
Senate amendments. refuse conferences,
and stop me supplies until the retrcnch-
mcnt is accepted. Whenever the screw is
turned, the Senate must either yield or
prepare for an issue where the Office
holders, contractors, jobbers, Rings and
plundcrels VIII be on one side, ana the
great body OF the people on the other.
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