Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-02-04
THE DEMANDS OF THE People.

possible retrenchment and reform in g0y-
eminent expenditures. Thus far they
have made some steps toward redeeming
their pledges. Mr.. Whitthorns, for in
stance, chairman OF the Committee on
Naval Affairs, has sought with commend
able diligence to ascertain where the ex-
penditures Of the naval department may
be cut down without impairing the etici'
ency Of that branch Of the service. The
Republicans, as q party, throw every
possible obstacle in the way, and the
most efsctual social Influences about
Washington are brought to bear on
Democratic Congressman to weaken
their purposes. The bill reported from
the Committee on Appropriations, Of
which Mr.. Holman is chairman, to re-.
duee the expenses Of West Point, was
vigorously opposed by the solid Re-
publican force. A proposition to
cut down the expenses Of eur Dip
lomatic service abroad and of sll the
government departments at home is
likewise assailed at every point Some
OF the papers that usually advocate re.
forms oppose these measures with all
the ability they can command. All &C.
counts from Washington agree that the
people there, regardless Of party, are
unanimously opposed to any reductions.
An intelligent correspondent Of the APP
peal this morning explains the situation
in a few words;
It is apparent that Congress will have
70 depend Cor its moral support upon
that portion Of the press that is outside
Of Washington in its efforts to reduce
the expenses of the government. There
are three papers in this city that pretend
to be Democratic, but they have Joined
the wailing chorus in lamentations over
the proposed reductions Of the clerical
force and salaries. Washington is en-.
tirely dependent on monthly disburse-
ments to government employees, board
ing-houses and contracts for a prosper
ity that has not been touched by the
panic, and it is natural, perhaps. that
weak newspapers that are dependent
upon these, should ADVOCATE their cause
and oppose any policy that threatens
their narrow interests. The average
citizen can hardly realize what heroism,
virtue, nerve, is required in Washington,
Just at this time, OF the Democratic Rep
~resentatives. Congress has tackled the
appropriation bills; the salaries Of mem
bers, cadets, clerks, are to be cut down.
Eighty thousand ofice-holders rave,
threaten, implore, weep. Every species
Of influence is employed to stay the
pruning knife.
II is an easy matter for q candidate on
the stump to assure rural audiences that
he is in favor Of cutting down public ex.
penseS to the lowest possible figure. but
when once elected and invested with the
dignity of a Congressman, much sought
after BY people Of high and low degree,
with IN entree to the fashionable society
OF Washington, he finds it an. uphill
business to make good his word. There
are crowds Of fascinating people to fat.
ter him that be is a great nah, and there
fore. while correct 10 his main policy, be
must be magnanimcus enough to make
exceptions in extreme eases. To this
be asgents unless be is made OF iron, and
shen the first step is taken the
chances are ten to one that be
will begin to float with the popular cur,
rent sround him and forget all aboutthe
promises he made TO the Grangers.
When the line once breaks all is lost.
Paris may be France, but Washington is
not the United States. The people at
home who toll from yeartO year and find
themselves deeper in debt God more
heavily taxed in spite OF all their efforts
will hoN their representatives in Con.
gress to q rigid accountability and those
who want to be reelected next fall will
do we'll to resist the blandishmenta OIL
society and the seductive influences that
all the very air at the national capital
The lobby influence is tremendous, bul
the voice of the people outside of Wash,
ington, who 90 not live by ofice-holding,
will be more potent at the ballot-boI
next November. There is a cry for
reform from one cad &i the land
20 the other. The peopls arr
terribly in earnest and will tolerate nc
halfway measures. The following re-
ductious are proposed and may pass the
House: In the West Point bill, 1913, 900
in the consular and diplomatic bill, 800,
600; decrease in official salaries, 5000,
600; in the pension list by striking Of
fraudulent names, 5000, 600; total, IS,
033, 900. These are small items com
pared with what mSy be done by care
fully o~yerhsuliDg all the departments
The aggregate national, State, county
municipal and railroad dsbt Of III,
country is nearly Eve and q half billion
Of dOllsrsl or nearly $3.50 to each man
woman and child, white and black ant
red, in the country. The interest OF
this enormous anil has to come out o
The sweat and toll Of the productiv,
muscle and energy Of the country
The fgures are appalling, and thi
certainly is not q time to provide soft
lucrative places fer personal or part,
fsvorites however worthy or we'll
qualified they may be. The Republican
party has arrayed itself solidly arains
all measures that tend ultimately to 70