The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1878-04-13
Our Washington Letter.

thousand strings upon which aspiring
statesmen ring the changes of this
meaningless refrain and pipe silver
tongued music to the dear people at a
salary of $4,000 per year. Factories
are closed, business activities hushed,
willing hands idle, want and penury
knock alike at the door of the former
rich and the long time poor, and
these mock reformers sweep cadence
over this harp of a thousand strings,
the burdened people paying each
player $4,000 per year. Every depart
ment, of the government is crippled
by insufficient appropriations while
the expenses of Congress itself are
largely increased to give places to a
small army of pages, clerks, stenog-
raphers and experts who dance at
tendance upon the numerous investi-
eating committees launched unto ex-
istence under the cry of economy,
and the same old tune sweeps over
this harp of thousand strings and
each piping player pockets his
monthly stipend, his salary of $4,000
per year. This cimeter of sham re-
form swings right and left, cutting
down the salaries of bureau officers,
clerks and messengers, but the poorly
earned compensation of the players
on this harp of a thousand strings is
patriotically retained at $4,000 per
year. In the by-gone years unselfsh
| public servants in Congress received
So per day, and reduction to the
old time figures would result in a
saving to the people of $60O,00 per
year. In times like these the strong
arm of the government should be
used to help and encourage industry
aud enterprise. A nations wealth is
in the muscle and energy of its peo-
Pile. Idle and willing hands should
be set atwork; 500, 200, 900 judicious-
ly appropriated to be carefully ex-
pended in public works throughout
the country during the next year
would inspire confidence and infuse
new life into sluggish business activi-
ties and lead the country out into, a
brighter future. The patient is very
sick and it is no time to trife with
quacks and foolish nostrums. A brave
and heroic treatment will surely bring
cO1Valescence, financial and business
prosperity. 1t is gratifing to feel
that there are many men i'll both par
ties in Congress who fully appreciate
the situation, but they are powerless
in the way of any change. Woods
tariff will be brought to the front in
the House, Notwithstanding remon-
strances from all sections against a
change of the customs law. /" Let we'll
enough alone," is an old time axiom
that should be heeded by these tariff
mixers. Business, stagnation is in
creased by the fear of tariff changes
and idle capital will not seek invest
ment in manufacturing interests so
long as changes are constantly being
agitated.
The promised message on civil ser
vice reform seems to hang fire. tits an
opportune time for its appearance,
and every Congressman and Cabinet
officer should nave copy pasted in
his hat. The President and Secretary
Sherman invited very severe censure
In matter of the Appointment of Hon,
Glenn; w. Schofield as Register of the
Treasury. The country is fortunate
in securing SO fit man for tile place,
but the want of ffankness on the part
of these officials with Messrs. White
and Thompson of the Pennsylvania
delegation is condemned by men of
all political opinions. Candor is a
virtue commendable in either public
or private life.
Louisiana win constantly come to
the front. What with returning boards,
trials and impTisonmenb of its mem
bers, and the never to be silenced al
legation of frauds, the Pelican State
seems doomed to an immortality of
dissatisfaction and unrest. Into this
muddle comes the question of the Col
lectorship, and like Bauquo's ghost,
Packard appears to the President
backed by strong aud influential sup
porters.
The new silver dollars are getting
to be quite thick here. Everybody is
putting one by as souvenir and
sending others off to friends Cor keep
sakes. Many thousands are being
sold at the Treasury for gold The
California mint is ready to begin coin
ing, with capacity for turning out
2,500, 900 per month.
DR.. Mary Walker wants pension.
Poor thing She is always wanting
aud never receiving. Always fighting
and never gaining the battle. People
hate her and insult her because she
wears half mannish clothes. Men jeer
at her aud women turn the cold
shoulder to her. She is vehement.
bold, violent. She holds a regular