Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1868-08-20

The estimates for 1868 are over five
and one-third times as great as the
actual cost of the same service in 1860,
while our national wealth and popula-
ton have increased but about fifteen
per cent. since that period The in
quiry becomes eminently pertinent,
Why does this country in time of
peace, with no prospect Of war, require
nVe uinos 1890 .--Pe..a;tares In nro
portion to its population, for the army,
or the navy, or of the civil list, than
before the rebellioni Why is il that
ten thousand men are under pay at
our navy yards, at cost ofSl0, 900, 600
per annum, while the Government iis Is
selling its ships, and when the com
mercial tonnage we have TO protect is
vastly less than il was before the war
The belief is becoming universal that
most of the men are kept for political,
and not for practical, purposes. Is it
not plain that the war has fastened
upon the country n vast horde Of EN-.
ployees and contractors in every de.
partment, who are supported from the
public treasury. and at The expense Of
the tax-paying community, thousands
of whom are Of no practical benefit to
the Government There is large
force of revenue cutters on the lakes
and at sea, the gross benefits of which
would not pay for the fuel that one
of them uses. The Treasury Depart
ment admits its utter uselessness, and
pays over one and quarter million of
dollars per annum for its support.
Our system Of taxation, conducted
as it is by men whom the Secretary
ofthe Treasury admits are too corrupt
to collect the legitimate revenues be.
longing to the Government, is used,
in numerous instances, TO oppress the
ignorant and 10 relieve the knave
from fair taxation. Why are these
abuses so common here and so rare in
despotic Europel
Our foreign trade has drained this
country Of its precious metals, and is
still taking every dollar produced from
our rich mines. Ii has taken over q
thousand millions of our securities,
and is steadily creating a foreign mort
gage on our whole national estate.
We have imported during the year
1866, over $500, 100000 of silks, s67,-
100000 Of wool and woolens, $50, ,000,-
600 Of cottons, and s20, 100000 of iron
and steel, while our own factories and
forges have been comparatively idle,
While our ability to pay taxes has
diminished rapidly and largely, the
demands upon US are kept far above
what the real interests Of the nation
seem TO require. iI aN
The people demand an early repeal
of all taxes on American productions,
except luxuries, and such an adjust
ment of the revenue laws as will secure
to American citizens the benefits Of
National industry.
They especially demand that men
who are 20 be intrustod with the
money Of the Government shall be
thoroughly examined before appoint
ment, and that fitness and honesty
shall be essential elements for their
confirmation.
History with oil its warnings has
6een impotent to divert this Republic
from the quicksands that now sur
round il, and upon which all former
Republican Governments have foun-
dered. Nothing but wisdom and firm
ness can now avail to shake the drag
on Of official corruption from the Ma
tional throat and the people look 10
every member of Congress TO do his
duty Should this government pass
wholly into the hands OF its enemies.
no one can predict the humiliating
troubles and disasters yet in store for
its earnest friends But restive peo-
pie, suffering under present evils, may
be led TO commit the dcsiinics of the
country 70 those whose hands are yet
stained with our blood, and whose
history shows that no barriers that
laws or constitution present wih deter