The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-01-24
Retrenchment and Reform.

This Congress viii very likely make
an attempt to reduce the running ex-
penses of the Government, and there is
no doubt that plenty of room will be
found o'practice economy. The ten
dency OF the times has been toward lib
eral expenses, and toward this condi-
ton of things the Government depart
ments have gradually drifted, until
there is prevalent notion that re-
form is greatly needed. 1t is, however,
much easier to talk of reform in this
direction than to accomplish it, and the
difficult question will be how to secure
the reform needed without crippling the
machinery of Government. There are
some men in Congress whose views upon
this question are extreme, and who
would recklessly cut off and cut down
without troubling themselves to inquire
what the result would be. While it is
the privilege, as well as the duty of
Congress to exercise authority over the
management of the Executive Depart
ments, and secure if possible the adj
ministration of true principles of econo-
nv in the conduct thereof, care should
be taken that the estimates furnished
as the bases of appropriations are not
needlessly and recklessly cut down
simply for the sake of making a shO0-
ing of economy. The Government is
for the benefit of the people, and its
various functions should not be ham,
pered or hindered from any mere de-
sire to make party capital. Recogniz-
ing the fact that the Republican man
agement has been extravagant, and that
the idea of economy and leSsening of
public burdens is one of the things
win Oh commend the Democratic party
to public confidence, there is danger
that in desire to reform these evils
Congress may run to the other extreme,
which is equally as bad.
| This question is one which may well
command the exercise of the best judg-
ment of the House, for, according as
this matter is treated and disposed of,
public commentator or censure will
| follow. A Just and wise examination
| of the estimates will, no doubt, afford
much light upon this subject, but in or
der to act intelligently and escape the
charge of crippling the departments for
the sake of mere opposition, or to make
party capital, the House, through its
/ Committees, must fully acquaint itself
with the facts of the case, and bv q
| iudicious course of conduct do justice
! to those charged with the duty of con-
/ Quoting the affairs of the Government.
if it would secure the appreciation of the
country. This is serious and impor-
| tant business, for while the country will
/ commend the exercise of wise economy,
! it will not look kindly upon anything
which savors of niggardliness or parSl-
mony, and the record o. the Democratic
party in its dealing with public inter-
ests neither Justifier nor can it cOun-
tenance any stingy methods in dealing
with public questions.
| We are now upon the eve of Presi-
Dental campaign. Many things will con-
spireto give the Democratic party victory
or plunge it into defeat. Among these
things, the use of the power now en-
trusted to its hands in the lower House
of Congress will cut no unimportant
figure. Reforms wisely conceived and
intelligently administered will secure
public approval, but if hot haste and i'll
considered action control party re-
sponsibility and the country is made to
believe that a Democratic House has
made war upon clerks, messengers and
scrub-wom II in the name of reform,
it Will not give those who labor very
flattering opinion of Democratic party
management, and may open the way
for charges and accusations of spigot
economy, which might not result in par
ty advantage.
These reflections are thrown out be-
cause already the country has been in
formed of the devastation and destruc-
ton which Democratic refOrmers pro-
pose to bring about when they get to
work upon the departments. 1t has
been intimated that the knife will be set
to work with vigor, and the estimates
of the department heads cut all to
pieces. There is, happily, nothing in
the past history of Democratic Con-
gress which iustifies such a notion OF
reform, and it is to be hoped that when
the work of the Appropriations Com
mittee is presented to the Houe for its
consideration and action, that the cry
of Democratic parsimony will not be
sustained. but a bill presented which
Republicans and Democrats alike will be
: constrained to approve.
The laborer is worthy of his hire, and
the controversy which the Democratic
party has with its great political rival
is not how much this or that man shall
rece We, or how many persons are need
ed to carry or the work of the Govern
ment, but W Iether an equ valent is rem
dered for the money paid, and whether
the money appropriated is wisely ex-
pended. The heads of departments are
responsible to the people for the con-
duct of their business, and the highest
wisdom does not consist in opposing
their lust demands, but in laboring
W tn them to further the public good.
If there are drones in these public
bce-hives, the Secretary must find
them, and if there are sinecures he
must get rid of them.
The Register wishes the Democratic
House to make such a record before
the country that it will prepare the
public mind for the election of Demo
crat Pres dent. 1t is possible to do this,
and, if the leaders are wise, such a re-
suit will be obtained.-AmericaH Regis
Ter.