The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-10-26
A Striking Contrast,


past history has been one of reckless ex-
travagance and peculation, the official
figures show. The increase in population
from 1860 to 1870 was about twenty-five
per cent, yet the expenditures for the civil
list for government officials increased from
S6,074, O41. SO in 1861, to SIS, 76O, 779 46
in 1871-an increase of about 209 per
cent. Comparison for the same years
shows an increase Of expenditures of
S456, 5000 for foreign intercourse. The
military service in 1860 cost SIG ,472-,
2O2.72, and in 1870 s57 ,655, 675. 4O-an
increase Of. s41, 1s3, 472.6s, or $50 per ct.
The naval establishment cost in 1860
81 ,514, 64983, and in 1870 s21, $780,
229. 87-an increase of SIC, 265, 580.S4
or 80 per cent. In 1861 our Indian re-
latiOns cost s2,s65 ,4s1.17, and in 1871
81 ,426, 99T .44-an increase of s4,561,-
576.27, or 159 per cent.
In 1860 the Democrats were in power,
from the President down, and in 1870 the
Republicans held every branch of the
goverHhnent, In 1860 there was profound
peaceSas there was also in 1870, and the
comparison of expenditures in those years,
the increase of population considered,
weighs heavily against the Republican
party. In the face of these facts, which
are in the reach of everybody, brazen in
deed must be the party which can have
the effrontery to come before the people
with the claim of economy as stepping
stone to continued popular favor.
Looking little further into government
expenses, we find that in 1871 they footed
up s123, 139, 932. 90, and in 1876, the last
year Of Republican rule in both Houses of
Congress, they reached $4,000, 417.67,
gradual increase in FIVE years of 3d.
AGO, 1867 In 1875 the Democrats had
control Of the House Of Representatives,
and succeeded in reducing the expenses
for 1867 more than twenty millions of
dollars, as compared with the apprOpria-
tiOns made by the Republicans for 1886.
For the fiscal year 1878 there was re-
duction of over nine millions of dollars, as
compared with the expenses for the pre-
ceding year. These savings were brought
about by Democratic House of Repre-
sentatives, who were fought at every step
in their endeayors to stop reckless extrav-
agance by Republican Senate. The re-
duciions made by the Democrats were not
as great as they attempted, and had they
been supported in their efforts to cut down
expenses by the Senate, there would have
been saving to the people of many mil
lions more.
After the 4th Of March next the upper
House of Congress viii be controlled by
the Democrats, then, with a Democratic
House of Representatives economy indeed
may be expected There will be no more
naval contract jobs, Indian frauds, whisky
rings, credit mobilier jobs, &c, which
have disgraced the country for the past
sixteen years. Crime will not be reward
ed by public Office, and returning board
manipulators will have lost their occupa-
tions. There will be no more electoral
commissions to thwart the viii Of the peo-
pie, nor whitewashing committees to con-
ceal the guilt of public plunderers. The
people may expect honesty and economy
in the collection and disbursement of gov
ernmeut funds, and the dismissal of all
supernumerary officials, when that longed-
for event happens, and from the present
outlook the 4th of March next will find
both Houses of Congress in possession of
the Democrats.
The needed reforms cannot be fully in-
augurated, however, until they have pos
session of the Presidency and the War,
Navy and other departments of the gov
eminent.
In this contest let each voter consider
which party has been in favor Of reducing
government expenses, and in bringing to
light the shameful frauds which have been
practiced for years past, and if he would
have better times, honest government aud
doing away with extravaganee, pecula-
ton, and a large number of useless, yet
expensive, officials, let him vote the Dem
ocratic ticket. Economy and strict ad-
hereuce to the Constitution are the aims
of the Democratic party.