The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-12-23
Democratic Economy.


The Washington correspondent of
the New York Tribune gives some in
teresting facts and figures, to show
what may not be expected from the So
called reform administration in the di-
rection of economical expenditures.
The estimates made by the heads of de-
partments for the next fiscal year call
for S75, 900, 900 more than was expended
for the last year of a republican admin
istration 1t is noted that the Presi-
dent, who began with show of re-
trenchment in selling horses and car
riages and disseminating newspapers,
asks for the same amount for such pur-
poses as did President Arthur, and an
increase of 81 1000 for the care and
maintenance of the executive mansion.
The secretary of state wants an increase
of S23 $50 to carry on his office, mainly
for an increase in salaries and clerks.
Mr.. Bayard wants $4,000 to employ
two inspectors of consulates to travel
the world over, proceeding that has
called forth much democratic criticism
in the past. There is also an increase
of 1868, 1897 asked for "foreign inter-
course" The treasury department
wants more clerks and copyists, res
toration of salaries to former figures,
and an increase of more than 100000
for various purposes. The secretary of
war wants an assistant secretary-an
Office which Secretary Lincoln once re-
ported was unnecessary-an increase in
salaries of number of subordinates
and an increase in clerks. The secre-
tary of the navy asks an increased APP
preparation Of S2,S26,05S for the main
tenance of the navy, and $14,S16,42
more for " an increase of the navy"
He also wants larger contingent fund
and an increased amount for clerks.
The secretary of the interior wants
1872, 520 more than was allowed this
year for his office; and Public Lands
Commissioner Sparks, who has made
such a stir about alleged frauds under
the administration of his predecessors,
wants an increased appropriation of
$4,000 to prevent frauds in entries
by appointing seventy-eight additional
agents to investigate such cases. He
also wants S22, 900 for an addition of
eleven chiefs of divisions, besides con-
siderable amounts for increasesof sala-
ries, etc. A similar state of affairs is
reported of the Indian bureau, the pen
sion office, the patent Office and the
labor bureau; and altogether the in
terror department wants $249, 170 more
than sufliced in the last year of Presi-
dent Arthur's administration. The
postmaster-general asks for S14, 100
more than was allowed his republican
predecessor. Even for the department
of agriculture, which the democrats
have been accustomed to ridicule, an
increased appropriation of 81 ,0S5 is
asked. The encouragement is more
modest in his demands thanlthe other
cabinet officers and asks for only
$3.50 more than the Office was al
lowed this year. In view of the facts
presented, what becomes of the charges
of the democrats in the last presiden-
tial campaign about the " extravaganza
of the republican administration" and
their promise to reduce expenditures if
the people would entrust them with the
control of the national government?
Making all due allowance for the prob
ability that some increase in appropria-
lions is necessary for the more efficient
working of the machinery of the sew
eral departments, it may still be said
that the "reform " administration has
not made an suspicious beginning in
the matter of economy.