Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-15

wAsnrsoros, ID. c.. Jan. 10th, 1884.
1dsfoYs Of the Journal:
Considerable curiosity IL manifest, now that
Congress has resssembled relative TO the
action Of ths various committees, particularly
that Of the Ways and Means. as to financial
and other matters during the coming year.
This being the all-important presidential year
and such action having q moro or less direct
bearing upon politics, politicians, rs well as
Business men are inquisitive on this point. II
II very certain that. outside of tariff matters
there Is to be settled policy Of ''retrencb-
ment," 40 called-that Is, q general hewing
and cutting away at expenditures, regardless
Of the wants and necessities of the public ser
vice. This, of course, IL with the intention
Of binding the eyes If the people, and TO
Impress them with the idea that the demo
cratic party IL so very virtuous and prudent.
II II the old move over and over again. such
a. was made In the former presidential CON
test. and which ended With q large batch of
deficiency bills being passed at the next ses-
sion Of Congress Not one dollar was cut oH
that was not needed. ~ the government ex-
pcnditures hsd been cut down to the lowest
estimate by . preceding Congress. but party
capital vas expected to be made, and AZ then. so
nov. statistics and investigating committees
have over and over proven that never have the
economically run, and never have there been
fewer losses, in these, TO the government.
In fact the public debt has been too rapidly
reduced and money piled into the treasury
too fast, almost. for the public good. In view
Of this. how absurd to cut down the absolute
needs Of the government instead of regulating
them 20 facilitate its wsnts. I refer to
the absolute necessities arising from the de-
mapds of the public service. 1t is possible
10 agree that financial measures outside of
these and the debt and other matters of like
Importance may need revision: but this par
Alyxine the working machine Of the govern-
meot In the name Of Re,renchment and Re
form, 10 an evil that ought to bring disgrace
and retribution on its perpetrators. IL pos
sihle that public opinion will somew hat queuch
this arrant spirit Of the dominant party in
the House. The rapid growth and prosperity
of the country demand more employees and
OUTLAWS. These, instead of hardening. help
20 improve and expand its business and A.
nancial interests. How much better, then.
Q liberal and non. partixan action. than .
mean and deliberate attempt to iajure.
This proposed action reminds me Of
oas Of Holman's actions in prior
Congress. As illustrating this princi-
pie. He was then Chairman of a Com
nit,ee on Expenditures. (Which. | have
lorsotten). His clerk vas reading over the
Estimates Of various officers of the govern
nens. here one for Sioo, zoo. Make i, s75,-
COZ" Gays Holman; another for $500, 600.
SNAKE Il e&OO, o0o." and here another for
o<oo. 900. make IL esoo. 600" says the great
retrencher and objector. The next dav. his
clerk came 10 and informed him that the lat.
~ item was for 81. 900 instead Of etoo, 600,
@ nrst read. "Mate il $780, 600. Their" was
The wonderful mans reply. And thus it will
BE- to q great extent In the present action.
Many 40 honest sstimate will be cut down
lost for the psrrcse Of cutting down, without,
regard to the actual needs in the case. This
ID isesslafsss. am telling no idle tale, hu,
IL plain truth - has been exemplaed in the
past
Ne nan knows better than Randall, the
ae1nal vaats Of the servics. and where bis
evn intsrssts are concerned. no man 10 more
lfoefal With the pablo money; but this being
the Yeisey year. all scruples and honesty
Uast be thrown aside In such matters until
after election, when the injury can be partly
repaired BY doed Of deficiency bills. On
~ afid questica. however, where Mr.
RandAlfs constituency and bic own self To-
terest come 10, re look for different action
Here he will hedge. Here he -ill play diff.
fereut game. IL possible, and will take and
ase every possisle advantage Of those Who
0PP0oe MN. ut9 ~ Cut uoSn ne don Z
like asd which he fears will injure
Aiuself and his party. because il is
hotter seen through By the people. Hence
vs nav zee prolonged opposition on his
part 10 the majority Of his party and poe
sible Struggle and rupture-struggie there
ceftataly viii be until the speaker and hi.
tfieuas give large concessions to Mr. Randall
This b hunhline 10 Carlisle after his appar-
Ont victory, but he knows that Randall has
che pouef, With Republican assistance, to
upset any Of his original purposes in this
matter. There must Be . concession or an
epen r1pezre.
Mr.. Dinsley's lrst bill relative to Amsri-
- shipping interests has just been reported
1avesaely to The House by the Committee on
Cs1nefce and there is nov . strong proba-
boLiw Of II passage Il viii do away With
uany evils and hindrances and viii open the
Nv 70 broader legislaiion upon this subject.