Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-10-22
Responsibility Of the Republican
Party.

Party.
The recent elections in the great States
OF Pennsylvania and Ohio, which were
very close. show that the republican par
" have heavy load to carry in The re-
sponsibili,y naturally attaching to them as
the dominant party. in relation to the
financial management ofthe country. MOI
is this 10 be wondered at The nerves
which centre in the pockets ofthe people,
are peculiarly sensitive. While the mas
SEES are sound on the question of paying. to
the last copper, The national Indebtedness.
they will demand of the republican party
rigid economy in public affairs, and rs
speedy 4 reduction of taxation As is con.
sistent With the best interests OF the coun-
try. While we believe in liqudaiing,
fully, the national debt, we question the
propriety Of doing itwithin u year or two.
or burdcning those who have carried the
heavy load of sustaining the war. with
paving The debt. Taxation which raises
II large surplus, i, equally Objectionable.
For instance. our present taxes realize
not less than Sl20, 600. 900 and may reach
Sl35. 900, 600 above the expenses of the
government II is serious question
whether This j. benefit tn all the inter
ests Of our country \ large surplus is
great temptation 10 extravaganza in the
administration Of public affairs. The eN
pCnseS OF collecting the revenue a,c large
enough, aud are greatly enhanced by the
collecting Of 50 large surplus. Besides,
industry and business Of all kinds is un.
necessarily hampered and burdened by
taxation The poor. with large families.
are uncqually affected, because taxation
enters into every article of industry con
sumed. What Is needed. i 10 bring our
finances into a settled condition. 50 that
they shall not he Il, the mercy OF spccula-
tors, and take the tax off of every article
Of manufacture possible We hope Con-
gress will DO this, the coming winter
The great question which has entered
into every State canvass and elected
vast deal of discussion. as 10 whether the
bonds should be paid in gold or green
backs, seems To be practically settled ev.
cry day, by the course of government, in
selling its god at premium, and ouy.
ing up bonds, al the market rates, with
the proceeds in 9reenbacts This course
does not seem open 10 objection, Gov
enmcnt certainly has \ right to buy up
its own obligations. "a we'll Us priv ate in.
dividuals The only objection TO ii, is in
raising funds 10y taxation, instead OF loans.
IL is said that Government can negotiate
aloan at 4 per cent, To pay the whole dcls.
Ii 80, let it be done. 10y all means. and
sinking fund be raised each year. To pay
off the debt within the next twenty years.
This would I've soon enough, and the
amount required to be raised each year be
SO much smaller than the present sum
raised, rs to afford great relief to the
country.
When any abuses creep into party. rs
is often the case where power has been
enjoyed for n considerable period, unless
there is virtue enough left to purge the
wrong, the party is in danger. The Gre
alton of political places TO reward partizan
friends, and the retention of Sn1ecureS, for
the same purpose, should be particularly
frowned upon. Let the civil service be
pDrged OF all incompetent, unusctul men,
aud competitive examinations be intro
duced into all the departments at Wash
inglon, and we should see great reform.
1t is the only salvation Of the republican
the better for il.
In this connection we are glad to see it
stated that arrangements have been made
by the Collector of New York, with the
co operation OF Secretary Boutwell,, for
the reduction OF the salary list of the Gus.
tom House OF that city about $50, 900
year by the discharge OF employees whose
services can be very well dispensed with,
not only without detriment to the public
interest, but very much to its advantage.
Let the reform be carried out all over
the country.