The Portland daily press., 1878-07-06
Democratic Economy.

In 1876 the Democrats came before the
country claiming that they had reduced Gov
ernment appropriations nearly $30,000000,
and asking the people to entrust them with
control because of the vast saving they had
made in public expenditures. The Republi-
cans contended at that time that the Demo-
cratic claim of economy was pretence and a
sham, and that the apparent reduction
effected by the Democratic House was
achieved by Withholding for time from GER
tain departments of the Government appro-
priations which in the end it would be neces-
sary to grant. The truth of the Republican
claim and the falsity of the Democratic is
demonstrated by the record of the congress
sional session which has just closed. The
present Congress has made appropriations of
$12,0O0,000 in excess of those made for the
two preceding years, and has in addition to
that passed deficiency bills amounting to over
S15,0O0,0OO. Thus the excess over 1876 is
above $27 100000. This leaves net saw
ing of about 100000 in that year.
Contrast with this the reduction of
Sl6,0OO,0O0 made in the last year of
the Republican House and OF $2S, ,0OO,-
600 in the last two years, and then decide
which is the party of economy. The Demo-
Gratis make even worse showing than this.
In spite of the fact that they have appropri-
ated $12.000,000 excess and 100000 for
deficiencies made by themselves, they have
failed to provide for the actual running ex-
penses of the Government. The expendi-
lures during the month of June are $3,00O,-
200 in excess of the revenues. This condi-
ton of affairs is brought about by the pas
sage of the bill reducing the tax on tobacco
eight cents a pound. and thus decreasing the
revenues from $10,OO0,00O to $4,000, 900 a
year. That is to say, all the other interests
of the country must be taxed more heavily in
order that the manufacturers of tobacco may
make more money.
The deliberate dishonesty of the Demo-
cratic claim of economy is clearly set forth
in speech made by Congressman Foster OF
Ohio in the closing days of the session. He
demonstrates by the official records that the
last year of Republican rule shows reduc-
tion over the previous year of SIG. 123, coo and
the last two years $2S,5O0,OOO. He shows
by the speeches of Democratic leaders that
at the close of the last Congress the Demo-
cratic majority claimed to have reduced the
appropriations by $29,944, 1852. And he finds
at the end OF this session that the same COM
mittee on appropriations, composed mainly
OF the same men, have reported to the House
an increase of more than $12,00O,O0O over
the amount reported by them for the years
1877 and 1878, exclusive of deficiency bills.
Including the deficiency bills, the excess over
1876 is $27,000,000. The committee this
year, he says, was unusually psinstaking, ex-
tremely careful and economical. Not one
dollar was reported for any purpose that was
not thought to be actually necessary. Their
action in increasing their bills $4,000, 900
over 1868 gives the stamp OF untruthfulness
to all the representations made by them in
1876 1t shows that their boasted economy
was sham and fraud, and that the con-
trolling motive was no higher than purpose
to aid them before the people in 1876. Now
that this party exigency is passed, the legiti-
mate and proper expenses OF the Govern
ment cannot be avoided. The appropria-
tions as they finally became enacted into law,
for the year ending June 80, 1870, amount to
$172, SIG, ,692.15. For the year ending June
80, 1877, they amounted to S14S, ,535, ,79S. .41-a
difference Of $24,040, ,s93.74. The deficiency
appropriations this session are extraordinary
in amount, far exceeding the entire defcien-
cies during the four years of General Gar
fields Craftsmanship of the committee on
appropriations. They are not all provided
for yet. Indeed by the reduction of the rev.
enue in the decrease of the tobacco tax
further defciences are made inevitable.
This is the record Of Democratic economy.
The claims made two years ago are now
proved to have been false. The Democratic
Leaders wilfully attempted to deceive the
country. They cannot do it again, for their
falsehood is thoroughly exposed. The peo-
pie will not be induced again to elect House
so nofuse in promises and so utterly want
ing in performance.