The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-03
The FRS, Rctrenchment Bili.

The promised work of practical econo-
my began in the House of Representatives
last wednesday. upon the appropr iation
bill for the Military Academy at West
Pint The estimates for the next fiscal
year require $500 40, and the bill from the
committee gives s2i3Gll, being n saving OF
g1SG,S20. This difference is made up from
various items, but especially in the pay
ard allowances to officers, professors, and
cadets.
II 1t was proposed to single out West
Point from the whole public service. aud
apply to it exclusively these reductions.
there would be some ground for the as
saults upon this economy made by the adj
vocates of extravaganza in the House. But
u Is only part of n system of retrench-
ment which Is intended TO be applied to
all branches alike.
Why should the officers, professors, and
cadets receive more pay, allowances, aud
contingent funds than are necessary to
maintain them respectfully Nearly all
the departments of life have been forced
20 economic by the striugency of the
times. In the face Of this harsh expert
sace, which comes home In one form or
another to every individual, a clsmor 10
raised when It is proposed to cut of the
excrescences which have added millions
% the public burdens.
The Republicans. of course, resist the
bill. Mr.. HALE of Maine paraded a long
array of mixed figures TO prove how virtu-
Gus he and his party had been In the years
OF their corrupt and extravagant rule
They had achieved wonders III the way Of
economy, according to his statements, but
unfortunately the books of the Treasury
cell very different story. Mr.. HURLBUr
also was very violent against the reduc-
lion, and rehearsed the old story OF con-
tinuing glaring abuses merely because
they had become chronic.
Mr.. HAMILTON of New Jersey, who had
charge OF the bill, exposed in detail the
falsities which had been urged on the other
side, and showed that the Professors at
West Point were receiving higher pay
than those at the best colleges in the coun-
try, and had other benefits not enjoyed by
the holders of corresponding positions in
civil life. He compared them with the
salaries OF many of the States, and especial
~ New Jersey, in these significant words
-Now we IN New jersey know nothing about
these ext av,g,nt modes Of living. and utrt u
hs reason the State Is not in debt. and hare
money enough 10 pay all the debts zee otce. We
have not been accustomed 10 living at W ishing-
ION rates, In a hiRbfIutin style OF living"
This is plain language, and easily under
stood by honest people. IL is concise, and
puts the whole case in a nutshell. The
reign of shoddy Mt Washington has spread
Its vicious infection all over the country.
To keep up meretricious state wholly in
consistent with the simplicity of free gov
srnment, productivity was necessary. Then
followed appropriations of the public
money upon every pretext, frauds, collu-
non, jobbery, aud Rings in all their var1e-
ties.
The Republicans make war on every re-
trenchmeut for two plain reasons. First,
they hold all the offices, make all the con-
tracts, and handle all the money. There
fore, they want the largest possible sppro-
priations. Give them plenty OF money
and they will manage to hold power and
continue misrule.
Secondly, they know II the Democrats
make these great reductions upon a prin-
ciple OF genuine economy, the Republicans
must suffer by contrast for the previous
sIoesses at the Presidential election.
h0nce, all tneT EFFORTS are now eXeftou 10
defeat this policy, and particularly To pre-
vent an entering wedge for II in the West
Point bill. Their shams will not succeed
In the House, but may prevail in the SEN
ate. In any event the President is expected
20 veto every real reform.
This issue must soon take form and sub
stance. Parties will crystalline on II, and
the questions which have heretofore agi-
tated the public mind must disappear be-
fore one which touches the sensitive
pocket nerve. Mr.. BLAINE and Mr.. NOR
TON may rave about dead sectional dis
putes and try TO fan the embers OF discord
Into new life; or they may attempt Ia
push the Anti-Catholic issue. But the
iAboring people who are living on short
commons and wearing out their old clothes
demand peace as the first condition and
radical retrenchment as the next. They
will watch every vote, and know exactly
where TO fix the responsibility.
Grant and Fish Snubbed.