The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-06-20
The Great Issue.

SHOWN MS mana In faVor OF all Tue eAlst-
ing extravaganza by an impertinent
message to Congress and an insulting in
struction TO pnss joint resolution, pre-
pared in the White House, continuing
temporarily the appropriations for the
present fiscal year. In other words, he
has the effrontery to ask the House of
Representatives, after having reduced the
appropriations for the coming year nearly
forty millions of dollars, TO undo this
proper work, eat its own words, stultify
Ats action, and obey his orders.
This audacious interference with the
duties and functions Of Congress should
have been sternly rebuked on the spot by
tablng the insolent message, or returning
It without notice. 1t is not only unprece-
denied but is little less than an outrage.
which can only be explained by GRANTS
ignorance Of the elementary distinctions
which separate the independent depart
ments Of the Government, or by the obvi-
GUS cause which has rendered that gno-
rance more dense and obstinate, and dis
graced the Office which he occupies but
does not fill.
OF the twelve principal appropriation
bills, ten have passed the House, one is now
pending, and the other is to be reported
Immediately. Some of them were sent TO
the Senate several months ago, aud have
been kept back or returned TO the House
loaded down with amendments restoring
the old probability, with view to the inn
pending deadlock and to coerce the House
into submission. The Administration and
the Senate have combined to keep up the
enormous expenditures, through which
the great Rings have been enriched, cor
ruption has been spread through the public
service, and the Government has been con-
verted into machine for plundering the
people.
The investigations already made demon
strate beyond dispute that retreuchment
of more than fifty millions is practicable,
without in the least degree pinching any
branch of the Government. reform to
that extent would, in fact, contribute
largely to the general efficiency by exact
ing higher standard of qualification, en-
forcing accountability, aud compelling Il
faithful discharge OF duty. The House has
stopped short Of this possible retrench-
ment, and only reduced the appropriations
thirty-nine millions in round numbers,
rs compared with those of the current
fiscal year.
Tho Republican party has set its face
against the correction OF any abuses, and
Insists that there shall be no reduction of
the expenditures, no matter how much the
people may suffer or what falling OF in
tle revenues there may be. A Presden-
tiai election is at hand, and money is need
ed TO carry il on. Therefore, the patron
age must be retained, and an army OF
ninety-four thousand officeholders kept
Oh pay.
The Senate, speaking for the party, has
determined to resist every measure OF
economy, and has made its stand on the
Consular and Diplomatic bill, which tn,
House cut down si2s,437.5O from the
present appropriations. 1t might have
gone much further, consolidated various
missions, and Topped of large number
OF worthless consulates with salaries ant
without any living sign Of commerce t.
alstify them. The House allowed {
liberal margin, but the President, til,
Secretary of State, and tho Senate woult
not yield, aud the bill, after repeated
conferences, hangs suspended between thu
upon it AS upon al others.
Mr.. KAssON Of Iowa, one Of the spokes
men of the Administration, went so far OF
Saturday last as to declare, If the Dlplo
matte bin was not passed by the lst o
July, tho Secretary Of State would tele
graph to every foreign Minister Consul
and depository, that their drafts against tn
Government would be protested after tina
date. That is to say, if the House OF Rep
rescutaliyes refuses to obey the diotatioI
OF the President, or to submit to the ex
travagant demands Of the Senate, the ser
vice will be stopped
We hope the question may finally at
tume this shape, and 20 TO tho people a
made up bya corrupt Administration and
partisan Seuale Nothing better IS wanted
Then the country Will sec that the Who'll
diplomatic service Ia n costly sham, main
tanned Cor tho benefit III idle aud In