The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1876-07-20


any perccptible increase IN the civil
list under johnson, though the country
had just emerged from the war, and
abnormal pressure and demands were
made Oh all the departments. OF
course the claims and other urgent
matters were greatly diminished be-
tween 1861 anS 1860 an thai i'm t.ct
these four years had nearly swept
away the great bulk of them requir
ing prompt attention.
If the Government could be carried
on with this force under johnson, in
the midst of the confusion, rush,
strain and accumulated accounts OF
the rebellion, when tens OF thousands
we've claiming precedence and all
were struggling for settlement, it is
reasonable to suppose that after a nor
NAL condition of things was restored,
public business could be conducted
more easily, and the machinery would
run smoothly with far less physical
force and friction than before. The
quarrel betw cen President johnson
and Congress had one good effect in
restraining eXtraYagance, il the desire
existed. r'- A'' l-i"+--
Instead Of voting him Increased
patronage. the Republicans passed the
civil tenure act, by which the Execu-
tive was curbed in the exercise of his
constitutional rights and functions,
and was placed at the mercy Ofa hos
tile Senate. In the face OF all tlfes e
embarrassments he discharged his
duty faithfully, and left II record
which puts to shame that Of his sue
cessor. He may have been headstrOng
and unyielding in his opinions, but he
was a man OF earnest convictions, OF
stern integrity, aud of devotion to the
people. His hands were clean, and
no presents or jObbery disfgure his
career. $50 ,tr-t.f.
With the presence OF Grant in the
White House, Il new leaf was turned
over, and a new policy was introduced
Extravaganza, shOddyisni, vulgar
pomp, Ring display and venality OBJ
tanned the ascendant. a free rein
was given to prodigality in every
form. Simple hahits and honest care
were discarded aud low rivalry in os-
tentatious parade At once controlled
the society of which Grant was the
official head.
Congress rejoiced over the change,
which was as marked, in many re-
spects, as was the transition from
Cromwell to the Restoration. Sub
servient majorities stood ready to do
the Presidents bidding, and he was
quite willing to reciprocate their fa-
vors, while the Treasury had to foot
the bills. In this way extravaganza
in expenditures, waste, loose assount
ability, defalcations, and contempt of
public opinion, were introduced into
the service of the Government, and it,
was converted into an instrument of
and plunder.
In the first two years of Grantism,
the Offices were increased about three
thousand as compared with 1863 In
1873 the total increase rose to twenty
six thousand, aud in 1875 il reached
forty thousand. This constant and
enormous progression shows how ut
terly reckless was the system which
these plunderers practiced. They de-
fed criticism and voted away the peo-
pie's money and lands, granted sub
sidies and enriched Rings, as il there
Was no limit to INSCRIPTIONS power
and day of reckoning would never
come. -
The Senate has been fighting to re-
tain those forty thousand ofiiceholders
which were thus created in excess OF
any want of the public service, aud
mainly to furnish additional patron.
age for the Administration and for
members OF Congress. A large pro-
portion of them are sinecures and
political pensioners on the Treasury,
who render no service equal to the
pay they receive, aud many of whom
never appear on duty, except to draw
their salaries. aas
They are nothing more than an Or
ganized and trained force of partisans,
at the public expense, and
ready to be thrown wherever thay can
be most efri ctiye in carrying elections
for the Administration. Complaint
has been justly made at the interfer-
ence Of the military in the States, but
this civil organization OF trained bands
is nearly double the effective force OF
the whole army, and is equally. .c1en-
sive in its operations against the right
OF the people to govern themselves.
This is the issue the Republicans have
aud they will get their all.
swer at the ballot box in November.
N. Y. Sun. r.,..-,.,..., ...f..,..t..