Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-08-19
Fusion Howl about Republican
Reimbursement.

Fusion Howl about Republican
Acknowledgement.
With every recurring election goes up
q loud and long continued howl from the
opposition about republican mismanage-
ment Of governmental affairs. If the peo-
pie had not become accustomed TO it this
howl would be alarming. But they know
by experience that it is only a way the
democrats have about election time OF
trying to influence the voters. and there
fore let it pass without particular notice.
Long columns Of figures about various
masters are often parsded in democratic
papers as evidence Of republican extrava-
gance, corruption. maladministration,
with the inevitable corollary that unless
these things are checked by change to
a democratic administration the govern
ment will be ruined.
Now it is unavoidable that in the conduct
Of the affairs of a great nation like ours,
mistakes will occur, wrong may be com
mitted. here and there corruption and ex
travagance may exist these may be found
under the best administration possible to
be chosen. But if the government in the
main is well managed. If its condition
is prosperous, the people have good reason
to be satisfied with the result and while
wedding out unfaithful individual officers
and correcting mistakes and extravagances
which may have been discovered. the
people will approve the work Of their
servants. Looking at the results of re-
publican management since it came into
power in the nation twenty-one years ago,
have not the people of this country the
greatest reason to be satisfied with the
results wrought? In the first four years
Of republican rule the government was
saved from destruction threatened by re-
bellion melted and led by democrats.
The seventeen years following the close
OF the war of the rebellion, the public debt
has been reduced by over 81 ,00O, 900,
600. We are now paying it off at the
rate Of $4,000. 900 per month. We were
paving IN annual interest charge of
$l46. 100000 in 1866, and this year we
shall not pay quite one-half as much. In
1860. after twenty years of democratic
government, the United States borrowed
money with difficulty at II per cent. In
1882. after nearly twenty-five years of
republican misrule," it can borrow all
the money it wants, and more too. at
l-2 per cent. In 1860. after twenty
years of thrifty democratic administra-
ton, 1t was necessary to raise loan OF
e25,0OO.OO to pay current expenses. In
1883 after twenty-five years of corrupt
and "extravagant' republican adminislra-
ton, 1t is estimated that there will be a
surplus in the national treasury of $780,.
600, 900.
Whatever way we look the country
is smiling and prosperous. The territory
beyond the Mississippi. which until a
few years. had been occupied chiefly
by Indians and wild beasts. has produc-
ed grain enough this year to supply
the needs of our country and yet leave
large surplus to seek market across
the Atlantic. Our industries are growing
and thriving. The people are happy and
prosperous. Schools and churches are
springing up everywhere with great rapid
lily. Art and science are finding home
here, literature and general knowledge
are taking deep root in our soil. We are
at peace with all nations and no intestine
broils disturb us. Immigrants are flock
ing to our shores from all parts OF the civ
ilized world in greater numbers than ever
before.
These and many more evidences of the
prosperity of our country stand out be-
fore the gaze OF all our citizens, and by
these the republican party will be judged
rather than by transient mistakes or the
misdoings of few individuals among
those entrusted with places of trust and
responsibility.