Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-07-25
Economy.

The Democrats IL Congress claim that
al their efforts to secure an economical
administration OF affairs are met by oppo-
siiion from Republicans. As a sample,
they point TO the Congressional deadlock,
where Republican Senate has so oppos-
ed the heavy reductions made in appro-
priatiOn bills thsl months have been spent
in discussing them. This opposition,
they claim. comes nom a desire 10 keep
men in office whose services are not re-
quired by The government. This Is false.
The administration has been continually
reducing the number OF governmental
employees. and proportional reduction
for this year Is provided by the Senate bill.
Senator Morrill,, Of this State. made q
speech in Juue. giving This matter 4
thorough discussion. and showed beyond
dOub, that the proposed House reduo-
ton would cripple the service. We quote
from Mr.. MOrrill's speech 10 prove; first,
that the House reduction is 100 large;
second, that the Senate Is ready. and by
its bill proposed, to make the usual re-
auctions in the service; third that with
the proposed Senate reduction our sell
vice Will be more economically admins
tered than IN 1860. and lastly that The
necessity OF so large service and so
heavy expenses is due directly 10 Demo-
cratic mismansgement-Or 10 the civil
wsr of '6l.
Senator Morrill, said:
Now. Mr.. President, / come TO the re-
duction in the civil list aud ! will state
10 The Senate whs, the reduction has been
a. the bill comes 10 the Senate and what
IL Is reported from the committee OF the
Senate
The number IN the civil list ic the De
paItments is 5,SOS, rs provided for in this
bill. twenty-five and six tenlhs per
cent. OF that Is the reduction. which
amounts 10 1908, nearly One-iourth of
the entire force. These and other reduc-
lions and omissions IN the bill would re-
duce the expenses 5,739, HOSE. The
reduction OF the civil list, Il will be seen,
is One-tourth Of the entire service. On
the face OF il. who that is at ali acQuaint-
ed with the necessities which every pub
lie man Knows have pressed upon Con-
gresS since 1867 for reduction and re-
lreuchmert, and the reductions that have
been made from year TO year, believes
that condition OF things exists to-day
that will admit OF reducing the service in
these Executive Departments.
This bill in the aggregate. as / have
said. proposes 10 reduce the expenses
50, 80. 44O-S9. That IS Just about one
third Of the entire expenditures OF the
civil service OF the country as II has been
appropriated Tor the last four or FIVE
years.
The Committee of The Senate propose
to make reduction OF s2.1SO, 1898. which
is inst about One-hall OF the reduction
proposed by the House. The Senate
committees reduction OF the civil list is
SlS as against l.203 on the part OF the
House. which is reduction OF between
and per cent. Of the numerical force.
This Is reduction from the estimates of
this year of 3, l3O, sos. reducing the es-
timaied appropriations from Sl9, I3S, 678
TO Sl7.0lO. $40.
For 1874 the amour: OF appropriations
for this service was $40, 75S, 255 80; Tor
1870, SIS, 7S4, APP. 20. The present bill,
as l have already stated, amended as the
committee propose, is Sl7, 0l0, $40.
In confirmation of what | observed q
lew moments ago as to the gradual re-
duction In this service in the interest OF
public economy the last few years. who
ever examines these bills will lind that
this reduction has been gradual and uni
form through these years. IL will be
seen that in the year 1875 the appropria
lions were two millions and more less
than for l874.snd that the bill for lS76-'77,
as contemplated By the report of your
committee, is $4,000 below that of
last year.
Mr.. Morrill, here presented table
showing the relative amount of work
done, and compensation for same, be-
ween The years 1860 and 1876. and pre-
eeeded;
Whoever takes pains to examine this
be astonished, / think, at the