The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-12
THE TAX ON OFFICIALS.

We see it reported we do not care upon what an
thorty, that tax is levied upon the persons en-
ployed in the government service and the payment
thereof exacted. We are quite ignorant Of the a,,-
thorty upon which this payment is demanded or the
purposes to which it is applied when received. We
trust however, that whatever may be thus collected
may be wisely and economically applied to advance
the interests of the democratic party in its great
struggle with the opposition. 1t is That from
onequarterto one-haf of one per the salaries
Of officials is thus exacted Now, without knowing
anything of the alleged tax and with no belief in
its existence, general thing we have just this to
say on the subject. If there is person in the pub
lie service who does not voluntarily contribute the
amount at least, of two dollars and half year on
each thousand dollars of his salary to support the
cause of the democracy he should be dismissed at
and his place filed by one who is patriotic
and liberal enough to double the contribution We
believe the Cause to justify its support and those
who refuse to aid in that patriotic work should
be the last to complain if they are deprived of
the special favors of those in power. We would
recommend no system of espionage, no mean efforts
to hunt out the miserable scavengers who devote
four or five hours of Incidence at their desks and
the balance of their time to assaults upon the de-
mocracy; but that forbearance which keeps them in
Office moment after their treaclery is known is
sadly misplaced. 1t is notorious fact that more
than half the patronage Of this government is be-
slowed upon such unworthy and untrustworthy
men. We hold it to be certain that traitor in pol
itics only needs opportunity to betray his trust
...l. Il. q ~
ernment. Political immortality and personal moral
ity are impossible elements in the same individual
yaE --------------------- gs.#
THE SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH, AND WHAT IT
CAN DO.
No rejecting man can fail to be profoundly inn
pressed with tho magnitude and Importance Of this
great achievement Of modern science The whole
country is ublant over its successful Workings and
its influence upon the future social political, and
commercial affairs of the world is theme of cx-
haustless commentary. But in tho midst of our en-
thusiasm, we ought perhaps, to reflect that at most
it is to be employed as medium Of quick commun-
cation between distant parts of the globe The great
work which is demanded of the human family to
carry on the scheme of life with all its infinite yarie
ties, is not and viii be very closely identified
with the telegraph. That it will exert a powerful
influence upon the trade of the world and do much
to equaze the operations thereof, and to save the
employment of money or to multiply its uses, we do
not doubt. That mercantile sagacity which is ac-
CURED only by years of practical observation and
experience will be severely tested by the daily COM
munication to ALL in the morning press, of the supplies
and demands all parts of the world. Who will
send ships to aCowes and a market any more now
that New York and Liverpool are equally accessible
and equally well informed concerning the condition
of the markets at all the great ports of trade in E
rope and American The commercial man in this
country will no longer require his European factor
to exercise an independent judgment over the car
goes he has sent forward and out of the range of his
own knowledge Then the sharp operators in stocks,
who always look to bond and stockholders in Europe
and operate largely and probably upon their supe-
rior information, must consent to enter into gem
eral partnership with less sagacious and less in
formed colaborers These are amongst the obvious
influences which the submarine telegraph is certain
to exert the affairs Of life but it is not destined
by any means, to exert any serious influence upon
the great industrial interests of tho world II NAV
make money little more plenty by multiplying
its capacity 10 conduct the operations of trade "a