The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1876-03-23
Democratic Economy.

Economy is a golden virtue 1t is com
mendablc where practice0 by individuals
or by nations. Give within your means, y
isa sound motto, and we are ready to
applaud the practical application of this
Cd fashioned rule to home or govern
mental affairs. But there is false econ
omy as censurable as the true is praise
worthy The man who robs his nei ghbor
out 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 influ-
ence him in public private affairs is
generally regarded as unfit to pass judg-
mcnt upon those who are placed within
his power.
The political party that applies one
rule to its friends and another to its OPP
V"nents is unworthy of confidence or
support. No one believes, for mo-
ment, that the Democratic House of Rep
rcScntalivcs would seek to cut down sala-
lies, established as far back as 1853, if
Democracy had control of the Govern
meut and the Federal otiiCc.holders we're
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 bur-
den of public expenditure, is corrobora-
tive evidence, at least, that the move
mcnt inaugurated in the House of Rep
Iesentatives is simply a new phase OF
party revenge practised under the cnisc
Of economy.
The Democratic party needs something
to offset the millions stolen by Tweed
and his brother thieves, or the faithful
foIIwers of Tammany apply the ten per
cent. reduction to Federal office holders,
and cut down by half the appropriations
actually needed to properly carry on the
Government. Then when they are con
fronted with the $40 ,000,000 stolen by
Tweed, and the bankrupt treasures of
States where they have had control, they
can say-"Ah, yes! but look at the say
ing Of Il single session at Washington
500 0o0, 900 saved by cutting down the
estimates Of the Government" 1t mat
,ers little to these Democratic ineuisitors
who have charge OF tae rock on which
political heretiCs are stretched whether
our diplomatic service is supplied or the
work Of the Executive Departments hin |
dcred; tley want to show saving to I
cover up past stealings, and as this saw
ing comes out Of the pockets OF Republl-
cans. why should they not initiate the !
prosecuted Tweed, and thank God for
the opportunity of plundcring the wicked |
people for the benefit of the righteous I
few. |
Democratic Congressman might go a
step further: they might refuse to APP
prcpriate a dollar for Government SER
vice, then the saving would be still
greater, according to the rule now ap-
piled. Then party revenge would be
fully satisfied and the master spirits who
now lead the crusade against the loyal
sentiment OF the country could slt-Nero
l:ke-and fiddle the Confederate farorite,
''My Maryland" while the national in
terests were going to destruction for
want OF the means necessary TO protect
md advance thcm. Il
1t is possible that this cutting down of
The appropriations may pass for public
virtue in some localities, where the hang
ing and shooting of Republicans are CON
sidered acts of grace, but with the loyal
people it will excite only disgust. DEM
lcrats may boast Of reducing the sala-
res of Republican officials, but the mo-
i've viii be too transparent to deGeiYe a
;hild. As an act of revenge it may be !
,ppIauded by a few. but as an act of
justice It will be condemned by the
many -Rspubltr