The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-08-03

overthrow. Party despotism Is unrelent-
ing in its demands, and he who profits by
its Influences is compelled to wear, like
Gurth, the collar around his embarked
''this Is the born thrall of Cedric the
Saxon"
But, sir, the time has come, and very
fortunately too for the welfare OF the
country, that empty promises and LOUD
professions Of economy by political par
ties will not satisfy the demands OF the
over-taxed people. They have declared
for true economy IN every department OF
the government, and that all reckless ex-
penditures shall absolutely cease. They
have deiied the authority of party,
which for so many years has chained
the country to the car OF corruption.
With united voice they demand that their
servants In all Official positions must be
honest, economical and competent. We
are admonished daily by the condition Of
all our material interests that retrench-
ment, economy, and reform In all the de-
partlnents of the government arc abso.
iutely required for the perpetuity and
preservation OF the lite of the nation.
American commere has almost aban.
doned the high seas; the agricuturalists of
the country are bowed to the earth with
low prices and oppressive taxation and
are struggling on their broad acres for a
bare existence the factories and machine
shops are nearly all idle, mechanics are
thrown out OF employment, and IN many
instances are without the actual necessa-
ries OF life; restitution and misery are
stalking from city to city, from hamlet
to village, and from ocean to ocean.
While the business Of the country is
paralized and universal bankruptcy
threatens the whole people, the burdens
of taxation are more oppressive, runous,
and exactng than ever before.
National taxes, state taxes, county
taxes. town taxes, municipal taxes. The
collector is as inevitable as the grim mes
senger OF DEATH Incomes, profits, wages,
and all these tail, but taxes rise.
MIR. Speaker, during the year 1875 there
were 7,740 business failures i'm this cOuu-
try, whose aggregate losses were $20l,-
U6O.353, and during the first three
months of the year 1876 the failures
amounted to 2,S06 and the losses amount
ed to $84, GA ,l56. If the failures continue
throughout the remainder of the year in
the same proportion, they will present
the startling number OF 1924. while the
aggregate losses will reach the enOr-
nous sum Of $25S, 100000. With these
numerous evidences of financial ruin,
which are constantly presented to the
minds of the people, Is 1t surprising that
they should forget party ties and leaders
and look only to the protection Of them
selves and the preservation Of their
government from universal bankruptcy
and decay The great political retolu-
ton that swept over this country in
1874 and gave to the Democratic party a
majority in this branch of the Legislative
department was inaugurated by the peo-
Pile OF all political parties in the interest
OF economy, retrenchment, aad reform.
And, sir, il We prove faithful to our trust
and obey the demands OF the people In
appropriating such sums Of money only
as are requisite and necessary for an
economical administration, the ides OF
November next will Witness revOlu-
ton AT the ballot-bOx unequaled in the
annals Of our political history. Sir,
understanding, rs l think l do, the
wants and desires OF the people whom |
have the honor to represent, knowing,
which they are subjected by cruel and
reckless legislation and oppressive taxa
ton, am ready and willing to vote for
all necessary appropriations for an econ
omical administration OF the government,
but not one dollar more. am one of
those, Mr.. Speaker. who hold that govern
ments like individuals must be ecOno-
meal to be successful. The question
presented by the republican policy in
their determination TO perpetuate presen,
extravaganza Is whether We shall make
further loans and spend the principal
and 90 only for few years to come to
the people for the interest. or so increase
the burdens Of taxation that the princi.
pal sum can be eXtorted from them an.
nually. while the majority of this house
demand such reduction Of expenditures
that the Inauguration of this republican
policy is unnecessary.
The gentlemen on the Republican side
of the house insist that they are for re-
trcnchment and reform wherever il is
possible. But when you propose the re-
duction of the salaries OF any of the EN-
ployes in the department they say it i,
not practicable. When you propose re.
duction of any of the clerical force Of any
OF the departments of the government,
they say you cannot do it without seri-
ously affecting the public service.
The truth is. Mr. Speaker, the loud
professions OF economy coming from the
gentlemen Oh the other side are a decep.
ton. They are intended to be exten.
sively circulated over the country with
the hope OF deluding the people into the
belief that they are in favor OF reducing
the expenditures. while in reality they
are here labOring and voting tor exces.
sive appropriations and high salaries,
which in the aggregate amount to many
millions of dollars more than are re-
quired for an honest and economical ad-
ministratiOn.
In 1855, while discussing the appropri-
alton bills of that year in the senate OF
the United States. Mr.. Benton said
THAT a practical man. acquainted with
the objects tor which the Federal govern.
ment was created and familiar with its
financial workings from the time its faith.
ers put 1t into operation, could take his
pen and cross out nearly the one-halt OF
the appropriations for that year, and
leave the government in full vigor for
all its proper objects, and more pure, BY
reducing the number of those who live
upon the substance OF the people," Sir,
while the committee on appropriations
have not gone to the extent suggested
by Colonel Benton, in 1855, they have
had the wisdom and courage to reduce
the appropriation for this year 500, 600
| 600 below last year, and the Democratic
size Of this house have had the courage
and patriotism to stand by them in their
labors. l avn aware. sir, that the annua
saving OF 500 100000 Is OF small conse
quence to some Of the gentlemen on tn
other side of this house but 1t is OF vas
importance to the tax-paying people @
the country, who must meet it. Why
Mr.. Speaker, the entire net ordinary ex
penses OF this government for the yea
1916 were only $26, AIS, ass. so, being owe
| SID boo 600 less than the reductions mad
by this house. desire In this conneC