Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-03
A Striking Comparison

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In the matter of economy, fidelity and
efficiency in the public service the repub-
lican party has record that its members
may be proud of. In comparison with
the democratic party it stands conspicuous
for honesty and faithfulness to the trusts
reposed in it.
A document has recently been obtained
from the treasury department by Hon.
Edward Mcpherson, which contrasts the
receipts OF the government under differ
ent ad administrations, from its earliest or
ganization to the present time, and Its dis
bursements in like manner, with exact
statements of all losses sustained by the
government, either in receipts or in dis
bursements. through any neglect or mis-
conduct or misfortune of its officials. The
receipts include those from all sources,
and are classified from customs, from
post-offices. and from all other sources.
| The disbursements are not classified in
DETAIL as this is impossible. That part of
the document which will convey to the
public mind most instructive lesson is
comparison of ratios of the loss at different
periods to the receipts and disbursements
during the same periods.
The aggregate loss on each $1,000 re-
ceived and disbursed was greatest under
the administration of Martin Van Buren,
1t then averaged Sill. 1t has been least
under the administration OF Chester A.
Arthur, having averaged for two years
only IS cents on 100000. Monroe's
eight years rank in proportion of losses
next to Van Buren's; then follow Andrew
Jackson's eight years, and next the four
years under Harrison and Tyler. These
were exceptional, but prior to the expul
sion OF the democratic party from power
in 1861, there had been no administration
of that party under which the ratio of los
seS to receipts and disbursements was less
than 1856 on $1,000. 1t was 1891 under
Buchanan, S4.0S under Polk, and it is also
noticeable that from the accession of the
democratic party to power, when Tyler
abandoned those who had elected him, the
ratio of losses had varied but little, exceed
ing $3.50 at all times on 81 900 collected
and disbursed.
But under Lincoln, Notwithstanding the
, extravaganza of war, and the extraordin-
airy chances for peculation which were then
afforded, the ratio OF losses fell to &c cents {;
under Andrew johnson to 81 cents under
General Grant for eight years to only "a
cents on each $1,000; under Rutherford
b. Hayes to 3 cents on $4,000. and under
President Arthur to Is cents on 800, 900.
Here is test which shows with unim-
peachable accuracy the relative merits of
the two parties as to the points mentioned
above. In every branch of public service,
the same astonishing improvement is
demonstrated. In the receipts from Gus
toms, the losses under Buchanan were
less than one-sixteenth of the losses under
Tyler, but they were more than double the
losses under Lincoln, and from 81 cents
on 81, 900, under Buchanan. the loss drop
ped to 3 cents under Grant, cents under
Hayes and mills under Arthur In like
manner the ratio of losses to disburse-
ments for war, navy, pensions and Indian
purposes fell from 1912 on 81 900 under
Buchanan to $l79 under Lincoln; to 60
cents under Grant, 5 mills under HAYES,
and mills under Arthur. When demo-
Gratis howl about the necessity of change
point them to these facts, which absolutely
prove beyond successful dispute that the
republicans have administered this govern
ment with far greater economy than at any
other period since its existence.