, 1878-04-24
w ashington Lette1'.
OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.
WASHINGTON, d. G., April II, 1873

NAshiN"loN, ~ ", "a AVlih ~, lo'o
Economy is harp OF II thousand
strings upon winch aspiring statesman
ring the changes OF tins meaningless
refrain and pipe silver toungrd music to
the dear people at a salary ol $1,000 per
wear. Factories are cloSed, business uc
tivitics hushed willing h,n's lulc, van
and penury knock alike at the door OF the
farmer rlch and the long time poor. And
these mock rrtormers sweep cadenCes
ov,r this harp OF n thousand strings, the
burdcned people paying each player
$4,000, per year, every Department "t the
the Government is crippled by insufficient
appropriations while the expenses oI
congress itself is largely increased to give
places to u small army ot pages, cIcrYs
steno2raphers and appels who dance at
tendance upon lhe numerous investlgat-
committees launched into ,Xistcncc unrer
the cry economy, and the same oId tun
sweeps over this harp OF II ta0usand
strings and each pipingsElyer pockets
his monthly stipend, his salary OF $4,000
per year This cimeter OF shark reform
swings ripht and left. cutting down the
salaries uf buEeuu officers, clerks and
messengers, nut the poorly earned com
penSatlon OF thS players Un this harp ot
thousand strings is patroticalIy retain.
cd at $4,000 per year. In the 10y gone
years. unsrltish public servants in Con
gress received So per day, and a rcduc-
iion to the Old time figures would result
i'll saNng to the people o. SGO0,0OO per
year. In times like these the stIong ann
ot the Government should Oc used to
help and encourage Industry and enter
prise. N millions wealth is In the
muscle and energy OF its people. Lille
and willing hands should be set to work
500, ,o00, coo, judiciously appropriated, to
bc carefully expended in public works
throughout the country, during the next
year would inspire confidence and infuse
new life into sluggish business acliyIlies
and lead the country out into brighter
future. The patient is very sick and it
is no time to triAe with quacks and
| foolish nostrums. A brave and heroic
treatment will surely bring convaescenec
= financial and business prosperity. IL
is gratifying to feel thai there are many
many men in both parties in Congress
who fully appreciate the situation, but
are powerless in the way OF any change
Woods tariff will he bDaught to, the
front in the House, Notwithstanding re-
mon frances from all sections against |
the change Of ths Customs law. LET !
well enough alone" is an old time axiefn
which should be needed by these tariff |
thinkers. Business stagnation is increased |
by the fear OF tariff changes aad idle
capital will not seek investment in
manufacturing interests so long as
changes are constantly being agtated!
The promised message ON civil service
reform seems to hang fire. 1t is an op.
perfume time tor its appearance, and
every Congressmen and Cabinet ohicer
should have copy pasted in his hat.
Tbs President and Secretary Sherman
invited very severe censure In the mat
ter of the appointment of Hon G. w.
Schofrld as Register Of the Treasury.
The country Is fortunate in securing SO
fit man for the place, but the want OF
frankness on the part OF these officers
with Mcssrs White & Thompson OF the
Pennsylvania delegation, is complained
Of by men Of all shades OF political
opinion. Candvr is virtue commend
able in either ublic or private life.
Louisiana will constantly come to the
front What, with returning boards,
trials and imprisonment of its members,
and the never to be slenced allegations
OF fraud. the Pelican State seems doomed
to an Immortality of dissatisfaction and
unrest. Into this muddle comes the
question of the Collectorship, and like
Banquo's ghost, Packard appears to the
President backed by strong and inhuen-
tial supporters.
8 SITo.