New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-03
CONGRESS AND ECONOMY.

Congress is urged once more, by Democratic
journals, to make great show of economy.
wise economy the people unquestionably
approve, and steps in that direction will meet
with public favor But Congress which wan
tonly wastes large sums in fruitless fishing for
political scandals aud votes fOI'~many shame
less and costly jobs, and at the same time cuts
down the supplies for different departments of
the Government so much that great sacrifice
of public interests or great loss of money fol-
lows cannot look for appreciation from an in
teigent people.
There has been great deal of cheap clap
trap about such economies as have been in
stItuted by the Democratic majority in Con-
gress When a set of demagogues get to-
gcther with no regard whatever for the public
interests, they almost always seek to iDgra-
tiate themselves in public favor by great
show of economy AS rule, such men
know little of the subjects with which they
have TO deal. and they are as apt to cut off
expenditures which are in the last degree
necessary as to effect reductions where ex-
pense can advantageously be saved. This
has been the difficulty with the Democratic
Congress. 1t has curtailed, almost always, in
the wrong place, and events have proved,
year after year, that its cutting down OF ex-
penses has usually resulted, most unfortunately,
either III loss of money, or in sacrifice of pub
lie advantage OF honor.
The Democratic theory is that the people
are fools. Though deliberately fattering the
people at every opportunity. the average
Democratic Congressman thinks that the
average voter has not sense enough to dis
tlngulsh wise economy from seuseless parsi-
mony, greedy partisanship. or reckless jobbeIy.
Hence the same members who voted to cut
down expenses of the Government for its
diplomatic intercourse, thereby exposing the
country to certain shame and to probable
loss, were found voting for the most knavsh
River and Harbor bill ever framed. These
members consider their constituents incapable
of clear-headed appreciation they think the
people fools, and it can hardly be said that
those who choose such members have any
right to complain
The people of this country do not want
wanton waste ia their Government, but they
are not stingy nor mean. nor do they feel
disposed to make themselves contemplate
abroad by refusal to authorize reasonable ex-
penditures for desirable objects. Still less
are they inclined to the small souled
wastes at the bung. The people know
that large sums can be expended for
some purposes with certainty that every
dollar spent will be returned ten-fOld. They
know that it does not pay TO represent the
Great Republic abroad as if it were Oh the
verge of starvation. The nggardly policy,
too. has less excuse than it had during the
hard times. The workmen now have better
employment. The crops are good the fur
nace-fires are lighted; the mines are crowded
with workers; and busy temples of industry
are starting up everywhere. The people re-
allze that the sums which they pay for sup
port of the Government are small at the
utmost, and that very small part of these can
be saved by the most rigid economy without
harm to public interests. Hence the Demo-
Gratis who are looking to unlimited economy,
and to reckless and anreasoning curtailment
of expenses, as their only hope for the fu-
ture, are leaning upon a broken reed.
Just and reasonable economy the country
wants. and 1t Is satisfied that reckless waste