National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-03-14
DIVIDE BY 2-LEr Us ABOLISH TIE SAL
ARIES OF coNGREssMEN.

The Democratic House has entered upon
its work Of reducing the force and salaries
in the several Departments and has already
given taste Of what it proposes to do.
The proposition is simple. 1t was summed
up by General Garfield lately in speech,
In which he accuses them of dividing by
the figure 2, and thus arriving at con-
clusion which neither equity, prudence,
nor q decent examination into the necessi-
ties of the case would justify. This Is an
exaggeration perhaps in the dividend, but
as far as it goes to illustrate the information,
or lack of information, upon which the
Democratic House proceeds to judgment,
it is perfectly true. 1t is not business
operation at all with them, and has no
deeper significance as matter Of principle
in any way than mere bid for cheap votes
can have. Having tried everything else to
secure the patronage of the public, the
Democratic party now proposes to go upon
the hustings, and advertise themselves as
beggars, so poor in everything and so par
ticularly wanting patronage that they are
willing to accept the crumbs that fall from
the table. They have no manliness to as
sert. They do not believe their services
are worth anything. They can secure
clerks among their own constituencies to
work for the Government at halt the price
of those. now employed, and altogether,
rather than get nothing. they can afford to
take beggar's portion. Let us feed with
the cattle until such time as we can be-
come masters in the White House seems to be
the substance of the pledge they have made
to each other. This is perfectly understood.
The only object the Democratic managers
have in view is to stoop to conquer. They
propose to starve one year so they may get
fat hereafter. 1t is economy put in the
shape of an investment; and moreover, we
have to tell our friends that, in view of the
ignorance of the general public as to the
sum required for carrying on the work of
the Government in decent shape, and in
view of the spirit or prejudice that exists
against extravaganza, either as fact or as
a fancy, the investment proposed by the
Democrats as a matter of policy, toH pay a
good round interest. 1t is something that
appeals to the purse, TO the pocket-book,
to self interest," and raises party cry
easily understood by the simplest. 1t
will be 3 powerful weapon in the
hands of demagogues, and deceitful
argument to present to that great mass of
people who let others do their thinking for
them. In a word, from a polite view it
is good project, though essentially dis
honest one. 1t will deceive for the time
being, and thus answer the purpose it is
designed 10 accomplish.
Having arrived at this conclusion, which
it is not worth while to waste words upon,
for it is clear as noon day, the Republican
party has an issue clearly presented to it.
The public will believe this plea of econ
omy, however false it may be, and the
sophistry must be met and conquered if
the Republicans hope to retain whatever
interest may be swayed one way or the
other by the appeal involved. Now, under
ordinary circumstances, there is that SIN
cere and self appreciatlve sentiment exist
ing among the Republican leaders that
would lead them to despise the small battle
that it is proposed to fight. Their honesty
feels insulted at it; justly SO. and many
would prefer TO give up their positions
rather than enter upon the beggarly scrim-
mage for retaining clerks. or paying them
honestly, or raying themselves fair wages,
or snar i g and nagging over this or that
petty matter like lot Of starving dogs. II
is mean business, without doubt, un.
manly and thankless in any respect and
yet, it having been raised, it should be met
by frank and broad proposition Of will