The evening Argus., 1868-02-22

II will be seen from this table that, while
during Washington's administration the e1-
penses of the government amounted to but
4s cents per capita, in lS40, the last year of
Van Bnren's administration, to but u Al
per capitG, aad in 1850 but 70 81 60 per cap
ita, they now, in o time Of profound peace
under radical rule, estimating our popula-
tion at 10000, 900. amount to Sc per capita,
or about $40 annually for each head of q
family, for what are called the ordinary eX-
penditures of the government. Sir, these
facts are in themselves sufficiently alarming,
and do not see that can now add to their
force by dwelling further thereon. If they
do not arouse the people from Maine to Cal
ifornia to demand and an immediate change
in our rulers and our system of administra
ton, then. indeed, may we say with sad heart
! farewell TO all hope Of restoration of our
poor, bleeding country to prosperity and
happiness.
Mr.. Speaker, in these remarks do not
| intend to misrepresent, or, IT can avoid It.
| to be misrepresented; and therefore l must
repeat that in this indictment against the
radical party / have not included those ex
1 penses and expenditures which are the nee
essary result of the war through which w
| have inst passed. / have not included tht
estimates for paying bounties and pensions
and the sums necessary TO pay the interes
on our public debt. have left these out
that our people might see whittier We art
tending under radical rule, even if these sa
cred but most burdensome debts were can
celed forever.
Now, Mr.. Speaker, should not have mad
remarks Of this character, especially at tn i
time, if it had not been for the extraordina
ary partisan course which my eolleagu
Mr.. Loganl took in addressing the hous
upon this question, which ought to be consid
cred as mere matter of business. ! ar
aware that unusual latitude has been givel
in the debate. Whether it is in the powe
| of congress, the president, and the secretar
of the treasury combined to inaugurste
system by which this whisky tax can be co
, leeted or not it is impossible for me to saJ
NV impression is, that, while the tax of
Der gallon is retained, the revenue never wi
be fully collected. The temptations to fran
and bribery are too numerous in this prof
gate age. care not how vigilant the hea
of the department may be, there will neees
arily be q great deal of thievery and frauC
Ny impression is, that the only remedy is t
reduce the tax to one-quarter what it is no
and inaugurate better system Of collection
and the amount of revenue received woul
probably be as great as it is at this time.
do not believe that It is in the power of mo
tai man to inaugarate a system by whiC
the entire revenue can be collected while tn
tax is retained at the present rate.
In the remarks which have made. as
, , matter of eourse,-and presume it was s
, with my celleague,--it was not intended I
iusin uate that all the officers connected wit
| the revenue service are engaged in specul
ton and fraud. do not believe anything
the kind. do not understand my colleagu
, | to charge anything of the kind, although h
charges have been very broad. But wit
the temptations that are held out some frau
. is inevitable. II is impossible for the pres
, dent, or secretary of the treasury, or ii
commissioner of internal revenue to kno
; | one man IN a thousand of their appointee
How are they to avoid, when they must tai
the men recommended to them, getting me
often who are at best weak and will yield
|, the temptations that are held out so bount
ously around them? do not Lelieve th
, | it is possible to inaugurate a system, und'
: our laws as they are now, and with the tax
! tion as it is now, that will result in an hone
8 collection of the revenue that ought to
received from this whisky tax.
few words more, Mr.. Speaker, and
l nave uOut. out WDOlt F6Ncuut SNSttl
T seems to be devised for the purpose ofholdir
! out temptations to fraud and perjury. The
!. is but one hope and one remedy. Bring Il
i party as soon rs possible into power that
!, pledged TO economy and justice, and who
6 whole history proves that it will redee
= those pledges. Your army must be reduced
q your freedmen's bureau abolished; yo,
military despotism uprooted the expent
L ftro of ha ant r1,Innal .hat
the taxes reduced in the same proportion
the horde of tax -gatherers must be called
:, wherever they can possibly be dispense
s with the most rigid economy must be intr
IS duced into every branch of the government
IS and our outstanding bonds, as speedily q
a possible, without injury to the country,
y paid off in precise conformity with the col
q tract upon which they were issued.
. Without these reforms. destruction, speed
u and inevitable, is upon us. And l woul
10 say in all kindness to the bond ohgarch
i that your only hope of escape from irretrie'
|! able ruin depen Is upon yolr calling in you
= mercenary pack of slanderers OF the onl
4 party that is for justice, economy, and
9 strict and sacred preservation of the puoh
) faith. The path in which we are now tra'
{ cling lesds to inevetibie ruin and oankfuP
cy, and if persevered in for any consiaerani
length of time your bonds will not be Wort
, the paper on which they are written. Al
ns IN rescmne the people from the oppre'
s;ons tha. are grinding them into the dust
ssI for no more on your bonds than the pee
Me have agreed to pay you do not seek t
; escape your share of the ,rdens of govern
ment; and the public faith, / will guarantee
will be sacredly preserved, and you may liv
! to green old age in happiness and prosper
|