The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-05-03
RECKLESSNESS.
The Republican Party, Out Of Power
for Six Years,
Is GOrging TtSeIf at the Public Crib-Reck-
less Extravagance.
[wn.hinrton letter 70 Sew YORK sun.l

washington letter to New York SUM-
After being excluded for six years from
heir usual feast at the public crib by
Democratic House of Representatives
which, with many faults, was faithful 60 the
pledge of retrenchment, the Republicans
have come into power resolved to make VI
for lost opportunities, and to seek indem
nifty for the past as well as security for the
future.
Reckless extravaganza has beer exhibited
in every act of expenditure since Congress:
met. Prodigality is the policy OF tho
majority. The only restraint IN the Rouse
of Representatives is the dread of the Con
gressional elections the coming fall. Thu:
check is daily Weakening from the belief
that the present majority is doomed to de
feat. When that belief becomes a convic'
ton, the vaults OF the Treasury will i5e
thrown wide open to plunder. Nothing out
self-prOtectiOn stands t2 TIE way Oh ene
threatened raids
Reform is difficult of achievement in
times of prosperity, when personal inte1ests
are more regarded than P0bllc admlnrSJra-
ton. But the pinch of severe taxation, oon-
Quoted on a war basis in time of profound
peace, is felt by every family dependent on
the1abor of the brain or of the hand The
cost of living has largely increased every
where, caused in part by great com bSzations
and corners" The fact, which touches
millions of fresides, makes sEzenFezrSct.
If the public revenues should continue to
come in at the present rate, and the surplus
over expenditures should sand, enormous
as that aggregate is, yet the Treasury woull
be soon swamped the projected schemes
Il t,,Il coH. hry( lNnu
The figures are appalling to contemplate
when compared with exPerince under an
economical administration of efairs
The estimates for the next fiscal year -ex-
coed $3.50 eOo. eco for regular items of ex-
penditure The receipts are estimated, in
round numbers, at ee,O00ee0, leaving a
net surplus on this basis, according TO the
Treasury report, OF $685., 1885.
This supposed surplus is the capits1 be-
yond running expenses, against which the
iObbers, the schemers, the lobbyists, exd the
corruptionists are directing their batteries,
each ring fighting hard TO get the preference,
knowing well that the reaction is not far off,
and that the Treasury can net long be full.
The River and Harbor bill will probably
swell up 70 fifteen or twenty millions this
year. Public buildings already amount TO
some S20Oo0Ge0. The Navy construction
and monitor jobs are So, 100000, as enter
1ng wedge only. Subsidies are S2s 100000,
The Mississippi bill is $4,000 0O0. Extra
pensions aud bounties, $4,000 OO0. Census
printing So 000, 900. Blair's bill for edu-
eating future shepherds, $95.0oe coo, $15,-
OO0000 of which are payable the FIRST year.
Claims may be put down indefinitely.
These items alone foot up three times the
expected surplus OF next year. It is true
they will not all be adopted. but it must sc
borne in mind that large additions will be
made to the regular appropriations and has
already been done on the POst0aice and on
other bills, and that margin is to be al
lowed for the inevitable extras, the bulk of
which can not be fOreseen.
There are private jobs pending whick in
volve many millions, that may or may not
pass in the closing days OF the session. Some
of the biggest steals do not require any di-
rect appropriation from the Treasury. I'm
der the best circumstances, even if the sink
iLg fund credit should be passed, as has
been often done, to make a false exhibit, in
stead OF a surplus next year, there is pros
pect of large deficiency.