The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-08-18
FRIGHFUL FIGURES.
THE SHAMEFUL RECORD OF A PROFLI-
GATE CONGRESS.

1t is well to have the exact figures for
the appropriations made at the first seS-
sion of this profigate Congress. so that
they cannot be successfully disputed. To
be entirely on the safe side and to pre-
vent controversy hereafter. we will take
the statement made by Mr. Allison.
Chairman of the appropriations in the
Senate. rather than our own summary.
even when both rests on the same data.
After making a comparison between all
the bills of 1888 with those of 1882. Mr..
Allison sums up in these words: ''Net
increase of appropriations for 1888 over
1892, ST, ,532. .621, ,34.'' He declares his
party guilty of wild extravaganza. while
he attempts to excuse these unpreceden-
ted grants of the public money for ques-
tlonable objects.
NO lame explanation. no weak inven-
tlon, will satisfy the people who have
been victimized by a plundering Con-
gress. From the first hour to the end
one supreme purpose dominated the
councils OF the Republican party, led by
SecOr RObesOn in the House of Repre-
sentatives. That was to get the most
money out of the Treasury. without re-
gard to the nature of the appropriation.
Inc Democrats carried the House Of
representatives in the tidal wave of
lof4 by a majority of seventy, ousting a
Republican Of one hundred That rev.
oiutlon was mainly caused by the excess
seS OF Grantism. The people rose up
and rebuked the corruption of Grants
first term. They compelled the Wash.
lngton Ring, the Whisky 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 been common in
all departments, and they forced the Re
publlcans to abandon the venal practices
JhaI had disgraced the Administration.
The Democrats came in pledged to re-
Ifenchment and reform, and they kept
faith with all their obligations. The
Iecord of the Forty-fourth Congress is
an honorable witness of the fidelity and
OF the zeal with which every pledge was
redeemed. They reduced the appropria-
tIons many millions the first year against
Jne Dltter opposition of a Republican
Senate, and against the false cry that
the reductions would cripple the public
service. The good work was continued,
Ihough perhaps with less vigOr than
should have been exhibited. During
the SIX years of Democratic ascendencv
IN the House, jObbery found no favor,
and the lobby became impecunious.
Ihe Old brokers in legislation withdrew
from active business and gave up Wash
ngJOn as their headquarters. The rules
with which the Democrats began their
career shut the lobbyists out and exclu-
ded the multitude of ''rideTs'' that were
mounted on the appropriation bills prior
60 the advent of power.
The Republicans obtained narrow
majority in the 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 to the
other revived instantly the scenes. the
methods, and the lobby that were fami-
liar before the tidal wave of 1874.
rms session of Congress has brought
together the jObbers, the traders, the
thieves, and the spectators. who were
accustomed 10 flourish and dictate leg
lslation under Republican rule. The
result shows that the announcement was
true.
At the end Of eight months this Con-
gress disperses, leaving the fOulest re-
cord in our legislative history. surpass-
ing the worst days of Grantism in Ieck-
less expenditure, and defying public op-
lniOn by Outrages that are likely to re-
ceIve cOndign punishment at the ballot
box. Needless of the lesson of 1874.
the. Republican leaders have exceeded
their own worst extravaganza. and ne
elected the duties which the people de-
manded at their hands. Senator Ali
sons reluctant concession of Sereut7y-
eight millions excess over the last apprO-
priatiOn will stand in Judgment against
them at the tall election. N. z. Slln.