The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-02-17
The FIRST Rstrenchment Bill,

The promised work OF practical economy
began in the house of representatives last
Wednesday, upon the appropriation bill of
for the military academy at West Point.
The estimates for the next fiscal year re-
quire $430, $40, and the bill from the con-
mittee gives $243,641, being a saving of
$lS6,S29. This difference is made up from
various items, but especially in the pay
and allowances to officers, professors, and
cadets.
If it was proposed to single out West
Point from the whole public service, and
apply to it exclusively these reductions,
there would be some ground for the as
saults upon this economy made by the ad-
vocates of extravaganza in the house. But
it is only part of 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, and
contigeut funds than are necessary to
maintain them respectfully? Nearly all
the departments Of life have been for eed to
economic by the stringency of the times.
In the face of this harsh experience, which
comes home in one form or another to
every Individual, clamor is raised when
it is proposed to cut off the excrescences
which have added millions to the public
burdens.
The Republicans, of course, resist the
bill Mr.. Hale of Maine paraded long
array OF mixed figures to prove how Ylrtu
Gus he and his party had been in the years
Of their corrupt and extravagant rule.
They had achieved wonders in the wa, of
economy, according to his statements, but
unfortunately the books of the treasury
tell very different story. Mr.. Hurlbut
also was very violent against the reduction,
and rehearsed the old story of continuing
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 10
civil life. He compared them with the
salaries OF many Of the states, and es-
pecially New Jersey, in these significant
words:
Now we in New Jersey know nothing about
these extravagant modes of living. and that is the
reason me state Is not IN debt, and ge hare money
enough TO pay all the debtS IRE OlCe, We have not
been accustomed TO living at Washington rates. in
highfalutin style of living"
THIS is plain language, and easily under
stood by honest people. 1t is concise, and
puts the whole case in nutshell The
reign of shoddy at Washington has spread
its vicious infection all over the country
10 keer up a meretricious state wholly in
consistent with the simplicity of free gov
eminent, prodigality was necessary. Then
followed appropriations ofthe public money
upon every pretext, frauds collision
jobb2ry, and rings in all their varieties.
The Republicans make war on every re
trenchment 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 appro
prations. Give them plenty Of money
and they will manage to hold power anC
continue misrule.
Secondly, they know if the Democrat,
make these great reductions upon prin
ciple of genuine economy, the Republican.
must suffer by contrast for the previou:
excuses at the presidential election
Hence, all their efforts are now eXerted t
defeat this policy, and particularly to pre-
vent an entering wedge for it in the W es
Point bill Their shams will not succeed
in the house, but may prevail in the sen
ate. In any event the president is expect
ed to veto every real reform.
This issue must soon take form and sub
stance. Parties will crystalline on it, ant
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 discort
into new life; or they may attempt t
push the Anti Catholic issue But tn
laboriDg people who are living on shor
commons and wearing out their old clothes
demand peace as the first condition an
radical retrenchment as the next. The
will watch every vote, and know exact
where to fix the responsibility ]
Sun,