Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-06-15
Democracy and Economy.

Economy is the golden virtue. 1t
is commendible where practiced by
individuals or by nations. "Live
within your MEANS" is a sound mot
to, and we are ready to applaud the
practical application of this old fash
icned rule to home or governmental
affairs. But there is false economy
as censurable as the trne is praise
worthy. The man who robs his
neighbor ont of wages justly due may
save few dollars by the operation,
yet no sane man would dignity this
sharp practice by calling it economy.
The man who allows personal or
political prejudice to influence him
in public or private affairs is general
ly regarded as unfit to pass judgment
upon those who are placed within his
power.
The same remark is true with
parties. The political party that APP
plies one rule to its friends and
another to its opponents is unworthy
of confidence and support. No one
believes, for moment that the Dem.
ocratic House of Representatives
would seek to cut down salaries, es-
tablished as far back as 1853,
Democracy had control Of the Gov
eminent and the Federal office
holders were Democrats instead OF
Republicans. The very fact that
they have not sought to introduce this
questionable economy in States where
they have had full control, but on the
contrary increased the burden of pub.
lie expenditure, is corroborative evil
dence, at least, that the movement
inaugurated in the House of Repre-.
sentatives is simply new phase OF
party revenge practiced under the
guise of economy.
The emocratic party needs some.
thing to offset the millions stolen by
Tweed and his brother thieves, so the
faithful followers of Tammany apply
the ten per cent, reduction of Fed.
eral oflice-holders, and cut down by
half the appropriations actually need
ed to proderly carry on the Govern
ment. Then when they are confront
ed with the $20,0O0,OoO stolen by
Tweed, and the bankrupt treasures
of State where they have had control,
they can say-"Ah, yes /! but look at
the saving at single session al
Washington ; $5o,ooO,OoO saved by
cutting down the estimates of the
Government. 1t matters little to
these Democratic inquisitors who
have charge of the rock on which
political heretics are stretched
whether our diplomatic service is sup
piled or the works of the Executive
Departments hindered they want to
show saving to cover up past steal
ings, and as this saving comes out OF
the pockets of Republicans. why
should they not initiate the persccu.
ted Tweed, and thank God for the
opportunity of plundering the wicked
people for the benefit of the righteous
few.
Democratic Congress men might 90
step further they might refuse to
appropriate dollar for Government
service, then the saving would be
still greater, according to the rule
now applied. Then party revenge
would be fully satisfied and the mas
ter spirits who now lead the crusade
against the loyal sentiment of the
country could set-Nero like and
fiddle the Confederate favorite, "My
Maryland" while the national inter
ests were going 20 destruction for
want of the means necessary to pro-
tect and advance them.
1t is possible that this cutting down
of the appropriations may pass for
public value in some localities, where
the hanging and shooting of Repub.
licans are considered acts of grace,
but with the loyal people it will excite
only disgust. Democrats may boast
of reducing the salaries of Repub-
lican officials, but the motive will be
too transparent to deceive a child.
AS an act of revenge it may be APP
plauded by few, but as an act of
justice it will be condemned by the
many.