The New York herald., 1876-08-15

TFOVls!Ons, ltVpr"u,
have secured much larger reduction OF appropriations
and the discharge OF all supcrn umersry clerks and
ployes, oi which there are still large number IL IS
well known that all the hand private establish
menls OF every sor, and description have reduced the
rates OF compensation 10 their employees signal IN
stance OF hs IS shown at Lowell, Mass, which the
GUIDE IN measure, OF all New ENGLAND. The work ing
people there have themselves consented reduction
OF ten per cent just and farno The l-st either to
which they have recently hccn subjected rho House
considered this unreasonable reduction in
amount ndcr tho circumstances hut this reduction
has almost wholly failed because OF the obsinacv OF tho
senate and the Senate couferces In relation thereto
reduction In the number OF clerks and employees has
been only partially realized, tho House couerccs
were forced TO yield of their recommendations
1t will susprisc many when they learn the fact that
many rs 100 600 persons receive pay from the federal
Treasury.
In order that harm should possibly from a
reduction OF lorces, directed tho officers to
the existing law in reference TO the hours Of labor re-
qured from the clerks and tho employees 1t is to be
found in section l52 of tho Revised Statutes, as fol-
lows
sso. -From the day October until day
Of Apr in each all the bureaus and oos in the state
the General Land Once shah be open for the transaction of
s @ pf So Isl @ % n, @ " of e
year II" least ten hours IN each day except sunday and days
dcciarcdpnblic holidays by law.
Heretofore clerks have been required to devote six
hours day 10 the service Of the government Re-
Gently on The coming IN o the democratic House, by
orders TO the bureaus that time had been EXTENDED 10
seven hours II, however, tue terms OF the law are
adhered TO- moro actual hours OF service will be so
cured undcr the reduced number OF clerks and em-
poyes agreed upon than We have now with tho present
excessive iorce
CHANGE LAWS APPROPRIATION BILLS.
Great complaint been made against change of
laws upon appropriation bills though 1t were ut this
time novel and unheard OF thing ana never before
attempted In the legislation OF the government. Let
how that is ! append herewith n list OF
changes OF laws which have been Incorporated into
Appropriation bills during the years from 1865 down
and including 1870 The extent 10 which such
legislation has been carried on viii. have no doubt,
surprise many, and regret to say that curing those
years OF undsputcd republican rule IN both branches
OF Congress the change has almost always been In the
direction OF Increased appropriations and expenditures
| vii here mention few notable instances OF such
legislation. They embrace changes in the staff and ilnc,
both OF the army and navy
The Pacific Mail steamship subsidy found its place
such act
the reorganization OF the Post once Department.
The reorganization Of tho diplomatic and consular
scrvicc
The partial rcorgani ization OF tho sub-treasury sys
The prohibiting the pardon amnesty Of any claim
the Cour, OF Claims being admissible to establish
ms standing in court.
The Zaon OF the civil service IN tho treasury
Department
Legislation as TO the Enforcement act.
The manner OF settlement OF judgments by the Court
OF Claims and the Supreme Court as to capture of
cotton.
The section declaring that the General OF the Army
shall he permanently stationed in Washington, and
only removed by the advice and consent Of the Senate,
and directing all army orders TO so through The General
of the Army whether issued BY the President OF tho
United States or by the secretary OF War.
on The appropriation bill last the rates on news
papers were doubled the great injury OF those in
the rural sections especially, and the rates third
Glass (attcr were so Increased as 10 take It from the
mails aad drive It to the express companies
mention these lew TO show the general character
ana wide scope vi tho legislation which has been put
appropriation hs and beg TO rccr TO the appendix
hereto annexed, which will show The enormous mass
OF legislation OF greater or less Importance which has
been from time TO limo during Che past ten years fas
tened such acis relating 1t does 10 almost every
conceivable subjcc.
THE REVENUES OF THE GOVERNMENT.
Again, Mr.. Speaker, as natural result OF the pros
tralon OF business the revenue Y the government
has diminished 10 alarming extent, and the warning
hold out TO us was one not TO be dsrcgarded as 1t
nigh turn In the coming fiscal year the reduc.
ton would be great that the revenue would fall be-
10. the required 10 meet the expenditure of
The government In this emergency 1t was absolutely
essential provide Tor reduction of expenses rather
ihan entail any increase OF our inicrcsbcarng debt or
any addition to our present taxation Nay, more, II
the iu measure Of reductions recommended had been
accedcd b. the republican minority IN this House
and he majority in the Senate then, even with full
revenue the Internal ana other could have been
reduced TO an extent OF say $40 coo with compaa-
tive safety.
CHARACTER EXPENDITURES
Before leave the general discu ussion OF these sub
ec. and go to detailed examination Of the respective
Appropriation acts wish TO direct public attention 10
wnat deem some abuses IN reference 10 expcnd
ture which have gradually accumulated until
they have become of dangerous proportions, Under
existing laws have a system OF what is
known rs permanent specific amt permanent in.
definite appropriations They embrace, among Others
the necessary pay the interest on the pubic
debt, the necessary to pay the interest the
bonds oi the various Pacific railroads. and guaranteed
by tho United states and the amount necessary Ia be
paid obedience of law to the sinking und
of the liquidation OF the principal OF the public debt,
In so Tar the foregoing objects concerned do
not raise serious objections. Their provisions 40 TO
make easy the mind OF the public creditor by the
tain,y no mitch IN the prompt and regular payment
OF our public interest But the laws go further and
include others, which, in my Judgment should pass
under the annual supervisor of Congress, among
which are he sum necessary TO collect the revenues
IRON customs, which Is only limited as to amount ot
expenditures by tho discretion OF The Secretary oi the
Treasury, power too great Tor permanent safety for
armpg and cqupping the militia OF the several Statcs
MISSION; tho return OF the proceeds
the sIie Of captured and abandoned property
10 thcroof the commission to be paid per-
negotiating tho rciunding Of the national
debt one.half of one per cent: the salarIes and
expenses OF tho steamboat inspcctors the rounding
OF money due to owners or rcputcd owners OF cotton
Improperly seized alter tho soth OF June, 1861 allow
and drawbacks III the Internal Revenue Bureau
the rounding OF Illegal internal taxes; the repay
of duties levied in excess from customs. as we'll rs dc
brnturcs drawbacks, bouniies and allowances in the
Most not all, Of the latter charac-
ter shou have the frequent Inspection OF Congress
and tho people woud suggest therefore, at our next
session legislation To remedy these dangers. About
SIS 900 ass each year out of tito Treasury under
these heads, IN OF The amount paid account
OF interest on the public debt aud tho sinking lund,
which enormous sum 10 be under The control
of executive ollrcrs without check
shall now proceed 10 an examination OF the sew.
eral APPROPRIATED bills IN order OF date AS they
enacted into law
PENSIONS
Appropriations last year. ............. $50 O0O 600
Department estimates Tor the year ending
June 30, lsI1.......... ............. 20 So, 500
Recommendation of the House Committee
on Apr operations. .... .............. 30 533 SEQ
House passed. 20 s.3 500
senate committee recommended ......... ~ 5:3 500
senate passed 20 53., 500
Law nnaly enacted. .............. ~ 5s3 500
Tho respective committees OF the Two houses and
both houses Congress agreed M The amount to be
appropriated Tor pensions which was IN full, indi
Gated by the estimate. A peasant incident in con
ncctcn with THIS Appropriation the TACT OF
being in com mmittec and the House charge OF u
member OF the committee mt Atkins, OF TcnnessceJ.
formerly officer the Confederate army aud q
m her of he xh
tons glvc the denial To- the political charge that the
leading OF The south still bear any hostility the
Unon, tor he was scrupuous In seeing tha, no pen
s:oner OF the Union suffered In the least degree.
Many reforms are mperat,vely needed IN connection
with The distribution oi pen nsions.
THO Con,mitie &c Pensions recommended the trans
fer oi the Pension Bureau IRON the Interior Depart
mcnt 10 the War Department, where II formerly was,
appears by their report Tor reasons, among Others