The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-08-29
seventy-eight Millions OF Excess.

1t IS well to have the exact figures for
the appropriations made at the first ses-
siun nf this prodigate Congress, so that
they cannot he successfully disputed. To
be entirely on the safe side and to pie-
ven. CONTROVERSY hereafter, we will take
the statement made BY Mr.. Allison, Chair
man Of Appropriations in the Senate,
ra,her than our own sum mary, even
when both rest on the same date. After
making a comparison between all the
hills for 1883 with those for 1882, Mr..
Allison sums up in these words: met
increase of appropriations for 1883 over
1882, $77 .532, ,62l 81 ;" He declares his
party guilty of wild extravaganza, while
he attempts to excuse these unpreee-
dented grants Of the public money for
questionable objects.
No lame explanation, no weak inven-
tion. will snlisfy the people who have
been vci,mized by p!underlDg Con.
press From the first hour to the last,
one supreme purpose dominated the
councils of the Republican party. led by
Secor Robcson in the House OF Repre-
sentatlves. That was 10 get the most
money out OF the Treasury, without re-
gard to the nature of the appropriation.
The Democrats carried the House Of
Representatives in the tidal wave OF 1874
by majority OF seventy, -ousting r.
publican majority of one hundred That
revolution was mainly caused by the
excesses OF Grantism. The people rose
up and rebuked the corruption oil Grants
first term. They compelled the Wash
ington Ring. the Whiskey Ring, the In
dian Ring. the Postal Ring, the Army
Ring, the Navy Ring, the Land Ring,
and the other organized Rings to sus-
pend operations They broke up much
Of the stealing that had bee; common
in all the departments, ard they forced
the Republicans to abandon venal sprac
tices that had disgraced the Administra-
ton.
The Democrats came in pledged to
reirenchment and reform. and they kept
faith with all their obligations. the re.
cord OF the Forty fourth Congress is an
honorable witness OF the fidelity of the
zeal with which every pledge was re-
deemed. They reduced the appropria-
tions many millions the first year,against
the hitter opposition OF Republican
Senate, and against the false cry that
the reductions would cripple the public
service. That good work was contin-
ued, though perhaps with less vieor
than should h&ve been exhibited. During
the six years OF Democratic ascendancv
in the House. jobbery found no favor,
and the lobby became impecunious. The
old brokers in legislation withdrew from
active business and gave up Washington
as their headquarters. The rules with
which the Democrats began their ca
reer shurthe lobbyists out anG excluded
the multitude ef "riders" that were
mounted on tbe-appropriation bills prior
to their advent to power.
The Republicans obtained a narrow
majority in tie present House, which
they have augmented by coalition With
the Greenbackers, and by turning out
six Democrats who were fairly elected.
The transition from one party 10 the
other revived instantly the scenes. the
methods. and the lobby that we're fa-
milar before the tidal wave OF 1874
This session of Congress has brought
together the jobbets, the traders, The
thieves, and the SPECTATORS, who were
acoustic med to q ,urish and to dictate
legislation under Republican rule. The
election OF Keifer, and the leadership OF
Secor Robeson announced to the country
that prodigali,y was to be the law, and
that corruption was to be the practice of
this Congress. The result shows that
the announcement was true.
At the end of eight months this Con-
gress dlsperses, leaving the fouIest re-
cord in our legislative history, surpas-
sing the worst days of Grantism 10 reck-
less expenditure, and defying public
opinion by outrages that are likely to
receive condign punishment at the ballot
box. Needless of the lesson OF 1874,
the Republican leaders have exceeded
their own worst exlravagance. and neg
lected the duties which the people de
manded at their hands. Senator ALI.
sons reluctant confession of seventy.
eight millions excess over the last ap
propriation will stand In judgmen,
against them at the fsllelections.-N. r
Sus.