The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-09-02
Political affairs.
l'TRENCHMENT
| a Democratic House Has Done.
Suction of $3O,OOO,OOO in the
Public Expenses,
BILE DOCUMENT WORTHY OF
CAREFUL PERUsAL.
PEECH OF MR.. RANDALL,
louse of Representative, Aug, "a, 1876,

Speaker, before the final adjourn.
\ b a protracted and laborious session,
loper to review our action concern.
Preparations from the public treasury
h on the Government for the fiscal
hiding June 30, 1877. We were
the very threshold by the inexor-
tentative of reducing expenditure
nst and economical basis, or, by al.
appropriations to be made at the
figures of previous years, with in e
i taxation; and this hitter it was our
ID faith aud solemn duty to prevent
alf of the great body of the people
down by a heavy load of taxation,
no were further distressed beyond
re by arrangement and misfortune
~ avenue of agricultural, manufac.
mechanical, and commercial activ.
70 this end every item of public
'c, whether large or small, was sub
10 the sevcrest scrutiny, and an in
p of every bureau and department
Government undertaken, without a
! believe, for quarter of cen
We had the comforting assurance
u had behind us the people, who
He'd that their burdens should be
|ed by practical and necessary re-
d. The majority of this House of
Initiatives was elected to reform
NJ abuses of administration, and
4 assembled in December last that
+ element assumed full authority in
X aud obtained partial control over
Expenditures. The first difficulty
1fesented itself to the execution Of
ID contidcd to us was the existence
NJ in the House which prevented
~ or even modification Of any law
interpretations upon an appropriation
4|ess two.thirds of the members as
hereto, which number the majority
" have. The construction which
Nd given to that rule allowed amend
p increase compensation TO officers,
I'D employees, but adroitly proven.
14t of order any reduction what
% overcome this obstruction n
non was submitted to so change the
+ " allow the incorporation into APP
Non bills of such Legislation which,
8ofmane, retrenched expenditures,
ling complete revolution in the
IN Of the rule, aud turning legisla-
ION in this House from cxtrava-
NO the better and safer direction
|rony. That change, for the pur-
tayc indicated, was vigorously re-
y the Republican side Of the House
: feason that, composing as they did
moro than one-third of its mem
no amendments changing existing
ould be made or put upon an appro-
y pill except when such amendments
ed salaries, as under the old prac-
|o-thirds were required to suspend
fles to allow the majority towotc
nj such amendments; and that two
|as | have already stated, the mi
"a this House could at any time
Without such change any and
rts on the part of the House to re.
1o expenditures Of the Government
tnye been as the idle wind, Final
ough the agency of the Committee
~, We secured a report of the alter
10 much desired, and the House
Il by majority composed exclu-
'df Democrats. Almost all the re-
ps We have accomplished have fol-
~ the result of the first step, for il
the way. 1t must not be forgotten
.4n Congress assembled the country
rated in all the essentials which
>pnke the people prosperous, con-
Ind happy. Our duty in such a
MI of affairs was too plain to be
|>a 1t was to lop of at once aud
|1I} eyery extnyagant and unneces-
<1onse. This we have partially ac-
&tcd, and in manner which will
egIec cripple the administration in
||<imatc functions. But to secure
1ia partial result without producing
b Aas required long and patient ex.
Conn., Investigation, and study.
1'kt1ED REDUCTION OF SALARIES.
{uflher plan of procedure adopted
fe1nce by 10 per cent. all salaries
roo, and provide n reduction in
Foo of clerks and employees Of 20
nj These two provisions, if fully
A would have secured a much lar
H0uotion of appropriations, and the
I<IE oil all supernumerary clerks and
ydt, of which there are still n large
) Rcll known that all over the land
y establishments of every sort and
piion have reduced the rates of com
ION to their employees. The House
mad This not an unreasonable re-
D ID amount under the circum-
X But this reduction has almost
failed because of the obstinacy Of
mite and the Senate conferees in
ii thereto. A reduction in the num-
clerks aud employees has been only
~ realized, as the House conferees
breed to yield a part Of their recon-
|<ioiA 1t will surprise many when
lofn The fact that as many as l00,-
.Hons receive pay from the Federal
Irf In order that no harm should
81 como from reduction of force, We
ia iho attention Of the executive
+ II Dc Government to the existing
ss<Arcnce to tho hours Of labor re-
frosn the clerks aud employees. 1t
. iound in section 1920 Of the Re-
as follows:
|eff0N 1872. From the first day OF
81 until the first day Of April In each
III De bureaus and Offices in tho
Var, Treasury, Navy, and Post
a1partmenis, and in the General
0fice, shall be open for the trans
ofthe public business at least eight
ii bach day; and from the first day
i'll until the first day Of October in
IeaI, at least ten hours in each day,
/ >4ndays and days declared public
SIS NJ law"
rotoIore clerks have been required TO
. six hours day to the service OF
oxc<pment. Recently, on the com
81 the Democratic House, by orders
lafeans, that time has been extern
b zesen hours. If, however, tho
~ {he law are adhered to, more nc
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