The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-20

theories upon the Middle and Northern |
States, for reopeniDg the question Of penalties |
or the South or for otherwise setting forth |
the desires Of an extreme faction, are an un-
mixed evil, which the Republican party cannot |
afford to tolerate. Admitting that no means exist
of excluding these projects, at least power re-
mains to render them comparatively harmless.
1t is not enough to withhold from them sup
port; they should be summarily squelched,
without debate, and with no more delay than
the forms Of Congress necessitate. Under vio
lent management, the House has become
familiar with ''the previous question" as a
contrivanoe for sitting debate; for once, let it
be employed legitimately y-as a means of put
ting an end to irritation and intrigue by
quickly crushing the schemes in which they
originate. The Republican majority owe this
course to their party not less than to the coun-
try, and the neglect of it will bring trouble to
both.
The thoughts of the country just now centre
upon material rather than upon political ques-
tions. 1t has no sympathy with President
makers, and no patience with the mischief
mongers who would provoke continual
ferment. At the proper time 1t will expect
some reconsideration of the working of recon
struotion, as exemplifed in the doings of the
Conventions, but until that time arrives there
will be little fondness for agitation on the sub
iect. Why, we need hardly tell. The de-
preston of the industry and commerce of the
country suggests a ready explanation. The
people are impressed with sterner realities
than Mr.. Summers attempts to render them a
nation, or than Mr.. Stevens methods Of evolv-
ing loyal unity out of hate and antagonism.
GLOW to make ends meet is the problem
which the great body of the community are
striving to solve, and they look to Congress to
hasten its solution.
We fear that the unwillingness OF Jupiter to
help the WAGNER was not greater than the in
ability of Congress to do 1.-THE of what is
expected from it. The tendency to rely too
much upon legislation is one of the worst
symptoms of the day, though, perhaps, one
not wholly unnatural in view of much that
Congress Las attempted. For by no legerde-
main of law is it possible to render the trans-
ton from the feverish excitement Of war other
than unpleasant. The dull times are not a
consequence of the sins of Congress, nor are
the hard times which yet must come in any
manner contingent upon its action. Charla-
tans may prescribe prohibitory duties or more
currency as sovereign remedy for depres-
| sion, but their nostrums would make things
worse, not better. They might stimulate for
moment, but the inevitable reaction would
| render the condition of trade worse than ever.
| There is no escape from the penalties of blum
| ders perpetrated amid the hurry of conflict.
But the inability of Congress to fulfil all
| expectations does not relieve it from the duty
L
The injury inflicted by the present system of
taxation may be almost entirely averted if
| Congress will eschew the delusiOn it has
| cherished in regard to the reduction of the
| debt. The fact to be recognized as the start
ing-point in any effort to mitigate the evils of
| taxation, is the exhaustion and ruin which
| the system in force entails upon all branches
| OF industry and commerce. The desirableness
| OF iquidating debt none denies. But the
| process presupposes the restoration of trade
to condition of prosperity equal to the main
tenance of burdens imposed for the purpose.
Unfortunately, the supposition is not
ranted by circumstances, and, therefore, its
application by the debt-reducing advocates is
disastrous. This mistake should be arrested,
since, under the guise of promoting public
credit it saps the foundation on which alone
credit can rest.
The point to be aimed at is the greatest pos
sible abatement of taxation compatible with
the requirements of the Government. Let
every dollar that is not wanted for current
expenses be stricken off the load borns by the
country in the shape of taxes. Instead of
crippling consumption by extravagant tariff
rates, let native industry be protected by
| the abolition of internal revenue duties unon
| its varied developments. The absurdity Of
| aiding by high duties on one hand, and crush
| ing by cumulative taxation on tho other is
| too hagrant to be perpetuated. The schedule
| of taxes, whether internal or customs, should
| be so revised that taxation shall be concen-
| trated on few objects easily reached; while the
necessaries of life should be relieved alto
| gether. A bold hand is necessary to begin the
| work, but it presents no insuperable obstacle
| if the aim is to simplify and abolish Nor are
| the exigencies of the Government hindrance
to reductions that would afford immediate and
| large relief, provided only the frauds which
| now neutralize taxation on certain articles be
prevented by more vigorous administration
! of the laws.
| When Congress shah have done its duty in
the matter OF taxation, it will find oppOrtuni-
ties for the display of the same practical quail
| ties in relation to the currency. A combined
and vigorous attempt in the direction of addi-
| tional imitation may be expected. The lusty
| West is so loud in its demands for more money
as cure for business ills, that much firmness
and good sense will be called for at the hands
of those who would discard the prescriptions
of the currency quacks. Our own judgment
| has been in favor of steady but moderate con-
traction, and we should desire its contnu-
ance, if it were possible. We must confess,
however, that we deem further contraction
| impossible at present; not because the volume
! of currency is not still in excess of the
wants Of commerce, but because public
opinion is we'll nigh universally against
persistence in the policy of retiring greenbaoks.
The conviction prevails that the uncertainty
| which eInbarrasses all interests is aggravated
by the power of contraction which the law
confers; and though we think the conviction
erroneous, we are persuaded that more is
risked than gained by resistance to it. The
alternative, as 1t seems to us, is between the
stoppage of contraction at its present point