The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1876-08-24
poHdral
Great Speech by Representative
Randall
The Economical Measures OF the
Democratic House Reviewed
The Wisdom of its RetrenChment Made
Clear The Work Not Yet Finished
WASHINGTON, August ID, 1876.


several appropriations as follows
SPEECH OF MR.. RANDALL.
Mr.. Sneaker, before the final adjourn
ment of protraCted and laborious ses
sion, it is proper to review our action
concerning appropriations from the PUB
lie Treasury to carry on the Government
for the fiscal year ending June 80 1871
We were met at the very threshold py
the inexorabe alternative of reducing
expenditures to just and economical
basis, or, by allowing appropriations 10
be made at the same figures of previous
wears, with increased taxation and TINS
latter it was our plighted faith and sol
emn duty to prevent in behalf OF the
great body of the people borne down by
A heavy load of taxation, and who were
further distressed beyond measure by
derangement and misfortune in every
avenue of agricultural, manufacturing
mechanical and commercial activity. Io
This end every item of public expense
whether large or small, was subjected to
the severest scrutiny, and an inspection
of every bureau and department OF the
Government undertaken, without par
allel, I believe, for quarter of CEN
tury. We had the comforting assurance
that we had behind us the people, who
demanded that their burdens should be
Iichtened by practical and necessary re-
dGctions. The majority of this House
of Representatives was elected to reform
manifold abuses of administration, and
when we assembled in December last
that reform element assumed full author
ity in this hall and assumed partial con-
troll over public expenditures. The first
difficulty which presented Itself TO the
execution of the trust condded to US was
the existence of rule in the House
which prevented there repeal or even mod
ifcation of any law as to appropriations
upon an appropriation bill, unless two
thirds of the members assented thereto,
which number the majority did not have.
The construction which had been given
10 that rule allowed amendments to in
crease compensation to officers, clerks
and employees, but adroitIy prevented as
ont of order any reduction whatever. 10
overcome this obstruction proposition
was submitted to so change the rule as
to allow the incorporation into appropri-
alton bills of such legislation which, be-
ing germane, retrenChed expenditures,
thus making a complete revolution IN the
operation of the rule, and turning legs-
Iative action in this Hou,e from extrav-
spanCe into the better and safer direction
of economy. That change, for the pur
nose have indicated, was vigorously re-
sisted by the Republican side Of the
House for the reason. that composing as
thev did and do more than One-third of
it's members, no amendments changing
existing laws could be made or put upon
an appropriation bill except when such
amendments increased salaries, as under
The old practice two.thirds were required
TO suspend the rules to allow the majority
to vote even on such amendments; and
that two-thirds, as have already stated,
the minority in this House could at any
time refuse. Without such change any
and all efforts on the part of the House
tO reduce the expenditures of the Gov
ernment would have been as the idle
wind. Finally, through the agency of
the Committee on Rules, we secured a
report of the alteration so much desired,
and the House adopted it by a majority
composed exclusively of Democrats. Al
most all the reductions we have accom-
plished have followed as the result Of the
first step, for it opened the way. 1t must
not be forgotted that when Congress as
sembled the country was prOstrated in
all the essentials which 60 to make the
people prosperous, Contented and happy.
Our duty in such condition of affairs
was too plain to be mistaken. II was to
lop off at once and resolutely every ex-
travagant and unnecessary expense.
This we have partially accomplished, and
in a manner which will in no degree
cripple the Administration in its legiti-
mate functions. But to secure even this
partial result without producing friction
has required long and patient eXamina-
ton, investigation and study.
ATTEMPTED REDUCTION OF SALARIES.
A further plan of procedure adopted
was to reduce by 10 per cent. all salaries
over 81 POO and provide a reduction in
the force of clerks and employees of 20
per cent. These two provisions, if fully
adopted would have secured a much
larger reduction of appropriations, and
the discharge of all lsupernumerary clerks
and employees, Of which there are still
large number,
1t is well known that all over the land
private establishments of every sort and
description have reduced the rates of
compensation to their employees. The
House considered this not an unreason-
able reduction in amount under the cir
cumstances. But this reduction has al
most wholly failed because of the obsti-
macy of the Senate and the Senate con-
ferees in relation thereto A reduction
in the number of clerks and employees
has been only partially realized, as the
House cOnferees were forced to yield a
part of their recommendations. 1t will
surprise many when they learn the fact
that as many as 100000 receive pay from
the Federal Treasury. In order that no
harm should possibly come from reduc-
ton of force, we directed the attention
of the Executive officers of the Govern
ment to the existing law in reference to
the hours of labors required from the
clerks and employees. 1t is to be found
in section 1920 of the Revised Statutes,
as follows:
SECTION l62-From the first day of October un'
til the first day of April in each year all the bur.
eaus and offices in the State, War, Treasury Navy
and POstofice departments, and In the General
Land Office, shall.be open for the transaction Of
the public business at least eight hours In each
day; and from the first day OF April to the first
day OF October in each year, at least ten hours in
each day, except Sundays and days declared
public holidays by law
Heretofore clerks have been required
to devote six hours day to the service
of the Government. Recently, on the
coming in of the Democratic House, by
orders to the bureaus, that time has been
extended to seven hours. II, however,
the terms of the law are adhered to,
more actual hours of ser, ice will be Sc
cured under the reduced number of clerks