The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-27
Reduction of the Appropriations.

After fifteen consecutive years of Re-
publican misrule. extruvagance. aud cor
ruption in every branch of the public SER
vice, the task Of reforming abuses that
have become chronic and Of uprooting
system that is palpably vicious, is most
dif1cult and pcrplexing. The embarrass-
mcuts are increased by the fact that
nearly two-thii DIS OF the present House Of
Representatives are new members without
experience III legislation or Congressional
practices.
The net expenditures for the last fiscal
year, exclusive of interest on the public
debt, are reported by the Secretary OF the
Treasury TO be S1a1, so, s4s.27. They arc
comprised under the heads of war. navy
Indians, pensions, and miscellaneous
Now. in order to reduce the appropria-
tons for these various branches intolli-
gently and properly, il is necessary to ex-
anime In detail the items of which each is
Elnde up. and TO search out the abuses.
This is the work before the Committee
OH Appropriations, and II involves i'm
m'nse labor, patience, and severe study of
- ting laws, which were 1rst insidiously
passed to create and extend extravaganza,
every movement for reform. In other
words, il is necessary TO take every appro-
pration bill TO pieces. and to start with
the beginning of each item composing it,
In order to trace the progressive stages by
which the public expenditures have been
augmented ana swollen to tho present
huge aggregate.
Obstacles beset the path OF economy at
every step. The army, the navy, the
marine corps, diplomacy, and all the other
branches of the Government, are repre-
sonted by friends and advocates ut Wash
lngton, who entreat that their special in
terests may not be touched. Each one
rres out, strike down the others, but save
mine" Powerful combinations are made.
aud the individual appeals are sometimes
toudest from those who have made capital
out Of the cry for retrenchment.
there is bur one sac rule in the midst Of
these perplexities. Apply the surgery to
all alike upon II just principle of reduction,
graduated by due regard to the public
Interests. Make no exceptions, aud ospe-
cially none for Democrats who may be
playing a double game of spoutmg for
economy on the stump, and striving to
protect sinecuros at Washington. The
sons, brothers, sons-in-law, cousins, and
wIfes relations in office, must expect TO
bear small part of the priyatious which
now nillict the people at large, who have
to foot the bills and safer ut the Same time.
1t is said the present Committee on APP
preparations are behindhand, as compared
with Others that preceded them. That is
true. and for the best Of reasons. The
Republicans did nothing but mere routine.
They reported the same bills substantially
year after year. with constant additions
under rule that permitted salaries TO be
raised and expenses TO be increased. but
forbade reduction in either. With the ex-
cepuon OF new offices and new appropra-
lions, there was nothing TO change, aud any
clerk could have reported the bills.
Now II Ia proposed TO inaugurate q new
system entirely, and to sponge out the old
corrupt practices. To do this well, so that
II eau be defended and the country will be
satisfied, requires LIME and the most
searching examination. There is no hurry
for the Appropriation bills, because they
are always sure to pass, whatever else may
fail. The committee Is entitled 10 the ut
most indulgence, aud will receive IL from
those who are most Interested.
The question of questions before this
Congress is retrcnchlnent and reform. 1t
comes home TO every mans fireside, and
applies with equal force TO the great oper-
atons Of government. All the elections
for two years past have greatly turned
upon that issue, and the Democrats are
largely indebted for their present majority
TO its advocacy. The people demand il
everywhere, and nothing but a radical
change in all the departments will fulfil
their just expectations in this respect.
Therefore the Committee on Appropria-
tions will do well to make haste slowly,
and to guard every point as they 20 on
The country is with them.