National Republican., 1880-05-15
DEMOCRATIC JUSTICE AND ECONOMY.

The Withholding Of appropriations from
the several departments of the government
by which its legitimate functions are Grip
pied, seems to be the studied purpose of
democrats who control our national legis-
lation. The thought that this government
is for all the people and all alike are inter
ested in it's prosperity and welfare does not
seem to have made lodgment in the demo-
cratic mind. The democratic party, as rep
resented in Congress, appears to regard the
fact that q majority of the people rule and
that the administration of public affairs is
for all as an obsolete idea 1t is only when
and 50 far as the democrats are in full
power that the government is entitled to
the support of that party. This is the error
of the period. 1t is the sentiment of pure
selfishness. There is nothing patriotic or
even democratic in the idea that because
the democratic party is not in full power it
is not bound to provide for the needs of the
entire government.
1t is under this prevailing sentiment that
so many of the interests of the government
are neglected and left TO languish, if not to
die out from absolute starvation. A parsi-
monious policy is adopted which is quite
invidious and unbecoming liberal and Just
craftsmanship, and which seems to be actu
ated by feeling that, because the execu-
tive departments of the government arc i'll
the hands of republicans, the democrats
are not equally bound to provide for them
ns they would be if they were filed by
members of their own party. This fact is
too clearly demonstrated in the action of
congress toward its own democratic subor-
dinates. There is no failure in subserving
their wants in the way of compensation,
while the appropriations for the executive
departments are so niggard that the depart
ment of justice is crippled, jurors aud wit
nesses cannot be paid, marshals' fees must
20 unliquidated, the government print
ing Office is allowed to come nearly to
O stand still, with its multitudious
employees cast into idleness postpflices,
custom houses, sub-treasuries and court
rooms are without gas and water,
and in this way, through marrow, parsi-
monious and pinching policy, the interests
of the government are made to suffer. This
occurs for the want of more liberal and
catholic appreciation of what is due from
craftsmanship to the government. 1t is n
most contemplate spirit which will at
tempt TO punish certain branches of the
government by Withholding appropriations
that are absolutely needed, for the reason
that they are not under democratic control.
1t is unpatriotic, it is unjust, it is indefen-
sible indeed, it is uncomfortable when it so
happens under the vicissitudes of politics
that coordinate branches of the govern
ment are under different political party
control, and are made objects of party per-
Becutiou on that account.
There may be differences of opinion as to
detail, but there should be but one opinion
about providing for the apparent necessities
of the government. which is for all alike
The law is for the government of the whole
people, and the law, so long as it rests on
the page of our recognized statutes, is for
the respect of democrats and republicans
alike. The law defining the duties of United
States marshals and deputy marshols is very
plain and is entitled to the respect of every
citizen, so long as it is law, and yet the
democrats assume the right to starye the
officials who have been designated by the
government to administer these laws FoI
almost full year they have absolutely re.
fused to appropriate moneys for the sup
port of the United States courts, until there
is not one which is solvent at this hour
The court must suspend its functions
or the marshal must interpose his OWL
personal creVt, provide the mean'
for their continuance, and in thai
way become the creditor Of the govern
ment to the extent Of his own salary, t.
Say nothing Of Jurors and witnesses fees
and the other Indispensable judicial expen
ses. Under the neglect or refusal of cOngres,
to provide the necessary means therefor
there is no money in New York to provide
for feeding the prisoners confined in the
state iails, and hence the keepers must sus
tain the hungry man who is in duress al
the instance Of the United States, and that
as u creditor of the government or the pris
oner must be left to starye. Neither wit
nesses' nor jury fees are provided for. Q
all these facts and necessities congress ha
been made aware by the proper officers 0
the government and yet it refuses practi
caly to make the needed appropriation
for this purpose except upon unlawful
terms of its own dictaton.
Then again there are large number o
eouuterleiters in prison awaiting their trial
which are delayed for the want Of the nee
essory means TO operate the courts. Thes,
accused parties already begin to set up
plea for mitigation Of punishment unde
this delay, should they be convicted, a
they regard their protracted Imprisonment
great grievance and wrong.
This is the picture which the democrats
majority in congress is painting of tn
United States for the worlds contempla
ton. With The vaults Of its treasur
olethouc With bullion-with hundreds q
millions whiting circulatlon-with thes
vaults locked against the public necessity b
the key ofparalmony now heldby w. hand
democratic congress, whose policy l. sui