The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-09-12
sEvENrY-EIaHr MILLIONS OF EXCESS.
From the New York Sun.

1t is well to have the exact figures for
the appropriations made at the first SEES
sion of this profiigate congress, so that
they cannot be successfully disputed. To
be entirely on the safe side and to prevent
controversy hereafter, we will take the
statement made by Mr.. Allison, chairman
of appropriations in the senate rather
than our own summary, even when both
rest on the same data. After making a
comparison between all the bills for 1888
with those for 1882. Mr.. Allison sums up
in these words: met increase of appro-
priations for 1888 over 1882, ST., $50,
6s1.34." He declares his party guilty of
wild extravaganza. while he attempts TO
excuse these unprecedented grants of the
public money for questionable objects.
No lame explanation, no weak inven-
ton, win satisfy the people who have been
victimized by the plundering congress.
From the first hour to the last, one SUI
preme purpose dominates the councils of
the republican party, led by Secor Robe
son in the house of representatives. That
was to get the most money out of the
treasury, without regard to the nature of
its appropriation.
The democrats carried the house of rep
resentatives in the tidal wave of 1874 by a
majority of seventy, ousting republican
majority of one hundred. That revolu-
ton was mainly caused by the excuses of
Grantism. The people rose up and re-
buked the corruption of Grants first term.
They compelled the Washington ring, the
whiskey ring, the Indian ring. the postal
ring, the army ring, the navy ring, the
land ring, and the other organized rings
to suspend operations. They broke up
much of the stealing that had been COM
mon in all the departments, and they fore
ed the republicans TO abandon venal prae
tees that had disgraced the administration.
The democrats came in pledged to re-
trenchments and reform, they kept faith
with all their obligations. The record of
the Forty-fourth congress is an honorable
witness of the fidelity and the zeal with
which every pledge was redeemed. They
reduced the appropriation many millions
the first year, against the bitter operation
of a republican senate and against the
false cry that the reduction would cripple
the public service. That good work was
continued, though perhaps with less vigor
than should have been exhibited. During
the six years of democratic ascendancy in
the house, jobbery found no favor, and
the lobby became impecunious. The old
brokers in legislation withdrew from ac-
tive business and gave up Washington as
the democrats began their career shut the
lobbyists out and excluded the multitude
of riders that were mounted on the ap-
preparation bills prior to their advent to
power
The Republicans obtained a narrow ma
jority in the present house, which they
have augmented by coalition with the
greenbackers, and by turning out six Dem
ocrats who were fairly elected. The trans,
ition from one party to the other revived
instantly the scenes, the methods, and the
lobby that were familiar before the tidal
wave of 1874
This session of congress has brought
together the jobbers, the traders, and
thieves, and spectators, who were accus-
toned to flourish and to dictate legislation
under Republican rule. The election of
Keifer, and the leadership of Secor Rob
eson, announced to the country that prod
igality was to be 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 I
gress disperses, leaving the foulest record
in our Legislative history, siTrpassing the
worst days OF Grantism reckless Gxpendi-
ture, and defying public opinion BY out
RACES that are likely to receive condign
punishment at the ballot box. Needless
of the lesson of 1874, the Republican lead
ers exceeded their own woFstl extrava-
gance, and neglected the duties which the
people demanded at their hands Sena-
Allison's reluctant confession of seventy
eight millions excess over the last appro-
priation will stand in judgment against
them at the fal elections