The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-16


workingmen.
TURN THE RAscALs OUT.
But our Democratic friends, in 1884 supple
mented their complaint that we had too much
money in the Treasury with the further sugges-
ton, apparently little paradoxica that there
was not enough-that some of it had been made
away with SlanderoUs and vague imputations
upon the integrity of those who were discussing
public money as class were freely INDUCED
They did not know who. but somebody-they did
not know where, but somewhere. They professed
their inability to give bill of particulars until
the books were turned over to them. Well, the
books have been turned over and the cash has
been counted. The balances have been verified,
and the result has been an unwilling but mag
nihcent tribute to the integrity and intelligence
with which the public affairs have been managed.
The malicious charges against the integrity OF
Republican officials have been disproved. The
instances of defacations have been rare, and the
per cent of loss exceedingly small-smallsr than
under any Democratic administration An at
tempt has been made in recent publication is
sued by the Democratic congressional commit
tee, to support the ISLANDERS of the last campaign
1t is only the proppirg of one lie against anoth-
or. All of the balances against pubic on1cers
as shown by the Treasury books, since 1861. are
aggregated, aud are called defacations Now.
a very large part of these balances represent an
honest difference of opinion between the
disbursing officer and the account
ing officers of the Treasury. The officer has
paid out the money for public use, believing
that the law authorized the payment the
Auditor or Comptroller decides otherwise, and
will not allow the credit, and the payment is
stopped. There has been no stealing, no cor
rupt motive in these cases. No responsible Off
Ger OF the Treasury has said will say So
But without attempting to separate this class of
balances from those which involve corruption
and taking the aggregate of $l2, 800 900, since
1861, stated in this campaign document the
loss is only about one-tenth OF 1 per cent
of the money collected and discussed.
But it must not be forgotten that
Andrew Johnson though elected as Republic
an, did not remain such-did not select his ap-
pointees from that party. If we deduct the losses
during his term, the loss is only about 80 cents
on the thousand dollars; while during President
Jackson's administration the losses were ST. 52 on
| the $1,000 during Folks 81 0S and under Blu
| chanan So 81 1 am notone of those who believe
that the line which divides the honest men from
the dishonest is political line, but l do take
great satisfaction that the average faithfulness,
integrity and efficiency of the civil service has
been so high under our a0 administration OF public
affairs. 1t will be time enough to reproach US
when the Democracy have given us one with as
small per cent. OF loss. But as long as it con-
tinues true that the aggregate losses of the Ma
ton In twenty-five years as stated by our ad-
versaries, is less than one-thrd much as was
stolen from the city of New York in three years
by Democratic ring, the Republic party will
still insist that the turning out of Republicans and
the putting in of Democrats is not necessarily,
or even probably. elevation Of the standard
of official integrity. The Indianapolis Sentinel
on the Goth day of January, 1886, said of the
men who were receiving official recognition from
the party in Indiana
With due respect we would suggest to the powers
at Washington and all others concerned therein that
the time has fully when halt should be called in
the business of appointing unworthy characters to Of
fice in this State.
In our opinion. the seeming attempt to rival the
Republican party in making and maintaining bad APP
pointments to Office is unworthy ambition, and the
sooner it is abandoned the better.
The honest Democratic masses of the State have
already been sufficiently hurniliated-the grand old
party of the people damaged quite enough surely for
halt.
With becoming modesty, would venture to sug-
gest to the forces inspiring and controlling appoint
ments here that there is lack of honest competent
Democrats in our State In view of this fact,
fess to inability to make out any sufficient
for the selection and appointment of thieves high
waymen, brbers, dead beats, and the like. Give hon
est, competent Democrats chance.
l do not believe that any honest, candid Dem
ocrat in Marion county would say that, man for
man, or in the aggregate, the changes in the Of
fetal list here have resulted in securing higher
standard of intelligence integrity L do not
believe that there is one such who will say that
the public is better served. | know that many
are saying that In great department the
service is execrabe.
DEMOCRATIC ECONOMY.
Next in the schedule of Democratic complaints
was the charge of extravagance. They pledged
themselves to reduce expenses and to inaugurate
an era of economy and simplicity. In the course
of the speech from which [ have quoted, Mr.
Hendricks said
During the period have mentioned the receipts
and expenditures aggregated sum SO enormous that
/ find myself unable to express them in words
figures within ordinary comprehension: will take,
for illustration, the year ending June 30 1888 The
receipts into the Treasury above S39S. 600 O0O
and the ordinary expenditures above $3.50, 000,
600"
No doubt, Mr.. Hendricks believed that the
- Al +: 49, e
Indiana would be redeemed by the adminstra-
ton of which he was 30 become an honorable, but
not an active or influential part. At the begin
Mug of every session of Congress, book of esti
mates is submitted by the Treasury Department.
showing the amount which, in the opinion of
the heads of departments, it will be necessary
to appropriate in order conduct the public
business for the coming fiscal year The esti
mates for the year ending June 80, 1887. sub
mitted by Secretary Manning, showed the total
appropriations asked for by the administration
to be S406 583 "a But Congress did not give
sill that asked. Instead Of approprlating
$406, 900, 900, it was requested to do by this
reform administration, it appropriated $685.
9l5 676 H. $118 000 900 more than the startling
sum which so excited the criticism. and even the
suspicion, OF Mr.. Hendricks in the expenditures
for 1888 Senator Allison. of Iowa. who has
been for many years the chairman of the Senate
committee on appropriations, and whose accurate
knowledge of such matters is known to all his
associates, in a recent speech said
Appropriations of public money are not sure in
dex to the public expenditures If they were,
parison of tho last few years would make a most
favorable showing for the Republican party. The to-
tai annual appropriations for 1884 were in round
| numbers 1892 600. 600: for 1875. 1926 600.
00O for 1856 $219, 900 600 and by the Congress
just adjourned, for the current year, 1865 900 OOO
| in round numbers. So that the appropriations for
| this year $50, 900 900 than the highest
| sums appropriated by the government for ordinary
| operations of the government during tie last four
| years. and $45. 600 600 than the appropra-
tons made for the last fiscal year 1t has been stated
that the ordinary expeditures of the last fiscal year
were in round numbers S19 000.O 900 less than they
for the fiscal year ending june 80, 1885 This
expenditure Of an extraordinary character made in
1885 and entirely omitted from the expenditures of
last year. OF this sum. IS, 900 900 was expended
for rivers and harbors, there being appropriation
for rivers and harbors last year 900 900 for the
repayment of deposits made by individuals for sur