Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-03-09
D,moc attic Economy.

DemOc attic Economy.
The most conspicuous result of demo
cratic economy at the session of Congress
in rs II, was the adjournment of that body
without making any appropriation Tor the
support OF the army. Of course II the
army could be starved out and got rid OF
there would be large saving to the Treas
ury, not only for one wear but as long AS
the government might stand. Thus rea-
soned the democratic House, and acted
accordingly.
1t was strange that so brilliant stroke
of economy should miscarry, but, never
theess. it did. The army refused to be
killed off or to go without pay. And so
the government was obliged to call Con-
gress together in extra session several
weeks before the regular session. to make
an appropriation for The army, and the APP
propriation was made. Not cent was
saved to the Treasury by trying to starve
out or kill off the army.
Since Congress assembled it has been
in session five months. and how is the
House getting along with measures
for reform and economy For one thing
1t has had another democratic doorkeeper
to investigate, whom it will be obliged to
dismiss for corruption AS it dismissed the
former doorkeeper. Then it has estab-
lished about score of investigating COM
mittees. with clerks and reporters, and
power to send for persons and papers. to
run up bills of expense for the govern
ment TO pay. As to providing for the ne
cessities of the government, that is mat
ter put far in the background The regu-
lar appropriation bills are sadly behind
hand. Nine OF them remain TO be per-
fected in committee. Only the West Pout
academy bill has passed the House. and
only two others have been reported, the
fortification and the consular and diplo-
matte bills.
Lack of money has obliged the inte-
rior department TO dismiss a large force
of employees. About go have been sent
adrift from the patent Office. many OF
them experienced clerks, whose places it
will be difficult to supply. This bureau is
a money making concern, and has sur
plus of 81 100, 600 to its credit 10 the treas
ury to-day. 1t is one of the few bureaus
which return a steady revenue above ex-
penses, yet it is being starved by the con-
federate house OF representatives. The
money for replacing the roof. burned last
season, has not been voted, although for
several months of Indictment weather an
un slightly and dangerous roof alone inter-
poses between valuable records and des-
truction.
The work of the pension bureau is more
than year in arrears. and still the con-
federate house refuses TO furnish clerks
enough to bring up this labor, and SO the
poor crippled applicants are kept on the
anxious seat, to their inconceivable disap-
ment and injury. 1t is now proposed to
give pension to every solder in the pro-
slavery Mexican and Florida wars, wheth.
er rebel or not; and may he the sympa-
thizing confederates will see fit to increase
the force so as 10 get money into he pock-
cts of "lhose fellows"
Action has been delayed on the bill to
provide enlarged accommodations for the
library of Congress. There are now
about 10000 volumes piled on the floors
for want Of shelving. BY the time a new
building could be erected, probably 1876,
900 volumes would be in readiness. and
meanwhile the scholars OF the nation. in
Guiding here and there an intelligent con
gresham. are PIT to great vexation in
using The library.
These are but few of the samples of
picayuhe economy praclced by the party
which now controls the lower house and
expects soon to run the senate. 1t can
tolerate door-keeper who puts scores of
loafers on his pay-rolls without authority
Of law, but it cannot heed the pressing
wants OF the inventors. the scholars. or the
disabled union patriots of the country.