The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-28
The Struggle for Rctrcnchmcnt.

The Struggle for Rctrcnchmcnt.
The excessive estimates for the Consular
mud Diplomatic service, which have gradu-
ally swollen into enormous proportions,
the House of Representatives reduced ="
reasonable limits and without in any way
affecting the efficiency of either branch
The reform might have been carried much
further, for there are many salaried con-
sulltes where consular agents with fees
would have been equally effective. aul
several missions might have been CON. Ii
dated that are now maintained separately.
For example. the legations at Brussels and
the Hague are only an hour or two of
time apart and are diplomatic sinccures.
There J. literally nothing t. do ut either
but 10 keep up ccremonious forms, for the
pretencc that commerce is in any way BEN
Gifted through these Ministers Is pure
nhsuriity. one representative would he
sufficient for both, aud SO II might be said
OF some other European states.
The senate restored the form OF the bill
rs Mr.. Ft-u had recommended and sent it
back 60 the House. which rejected all the
Amendments AMI took 10 further action.
No conference committee was asked. and
the Apr ipriation would have died nat
ural death had not the friends OF extriva-
gance revived il in the Senate by propose
Ing n conference. EFFIGY SARGENT, who
had charge OF the bill, uttered his resent
ment toward the House in these words on
Tuesday:
az the nrooosition seriously Il, bv objection
TO a committee of conference. mat the senate
Rhall rereus from sutmeufs which 10
MADE to the Diplomatic bill, hv wntcr we re-
stored the service thit had been muttlatei 4. and
rU,ld bc eiSgricsi IN uc OPERATION NJ ne OM ~
came 70 u, that i another qIesiion.
This is the sort OF language applied TO
legislation passed by the House of Repre-
sentatives in the interest OF economy, and
person whom the people Of California
burned in eliigy, and vino is everywhere
recognized rs the tool and confederate Of
Boss SHEPHERD. II carries its own conf
mcnt. aud proves. Mt least, that every step
toward reform Is 10 encounter malignant
opposition on the part of the Republican
majority in the Senate, led by such char
acters rs this man SARGENT.
The retrenchment made by the Hous,
requires no apology, aud the excuses of
fered by few feeble Democratic Senators
like WITHERs of Virginia, KEY Of Tennessee
nud DAVIS Of West Virginia. are unworthy
Of the occasion, aud exhibit their inca
pacity TO deal with II great question oi
practical reform. When the reductions OF
the public expenditures are summed up
1t will be seen that the House might have
gone much further ana still have left .
margin for additional economy.
All this talk about "cnppliug the public
service il mere can't The abuses Of th'
last sixteen years have become fastened
like barnacles t. every branch OF til,
Government. The whole ofliceh oldinl
tribe cry out ut any moment 10 cut dowI
the sinccures, because what strikes at on
class to-day may strike at another 10
morrow. They make common cause, AM
their patrons or kindred IN public III
nssail every bill looking to return L
honest and simple practices, becaus
they know # the wedge be once drive
home. there can be no check short of
radical change in the existing system.
This is the plain reason why the Senat,
has so sturdily resisted the two small AZ
preparation bills for the Military Academy
nnd the Diplomatic aud Consular service
The first serious test Is soon TO be made oil
the latter and 1t may eventually ASSUME
shape TO affect the action Of the Presi
dental Conventions. PLrdes must tax
sides on the question of the public OK
penditures If the Republicans adhere 4
their present policy Of opposing retrcnch
ment in the Senate, they cannot expect u
be supported in the country. The time
nre hard, and not growing better. Ever.
dollar has moro than common value, an'
Is regarded with unusual care Hence al
taxation is severely felt, especially by til
masses, who have to foot the bills Of prod
gallty by the sweat of their brows. 4
suppose that any party can stand u
ngainst the popular demand for econom
In the Government is worse than delu
sion.
The party Of retrenchment and reforT
will win tho national election, but thei
works must prove their faith. Mere pre-
LESSONS Will not count this time. TT
eyes Of the people are open. They rea
and reflect rs cannot be done in Il perlo
of prosperity. They watch the votes i
Congress. They know who is for and wi
l. against them, and they mean to have
reckoning at the polls.