The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-10-26
Proronen Rn,da on the rrennnrx.

Proposed HRtdA on the Treasury.
From the Utiod Herald.
We see II announced that schemes are
already prepared for making demands Q
on the national treasury to the amour
Of about $3.50 000, 600. Among these are
named The Kanawha Canal and James
river Improvement, S75, 900. 900; i'm
provements on the Upper Mississippi,
Sl2, 100000; leveeB on the Mississippi
river, $40 ,000, 600; improvements on the
Ohio river, 100000 Louisville and
Portland canal, s., 900 900; Memphis and
El PasO Pacific railroad, $4,000, 900;
four lines OF ocean steamers, $50, ,OO0, 600;
southern railroad bonds to be guaran-
teed by the United States, $4,000 900;
enlargement of the Erie canal, l2,00O,-
900: Northern Pacific railroad, $50, ,OOO,-
0OO-making Il total OF $349, 600 900.
This Is a formidable list, but It is
probably far from including all the
schemes for getting hold OF the peoples
money. We seem 10 have reached O
point where the public treasure is con-
sidered legitimate plunder, and he is
the smartest man who can devise the
means for getting hold OF the most OF
It, But we are very much mistaken n
any OF the projects named meet with
any better success during the coming
session OF Congress than they did dur.
ing the last. They are all old and fa-
miliar schemes, against which Presl.
dent Grant strongly set hlR face on
taking possession OF the Executive
chair. His conversations with the
southern men who solicited his favor
In behalf OF the Mississippi leveea are
still fresh In the recollections OF many,
as are his repeated declarations that 1t
10 the best policy for the government to
incur no more financial responsible.
ties before disposlng Of present bur
dens. We believe his resolutions on
this subject were we'll taken and that
he will consistently adhere to them to
the end.
Before we attempt any more big Jobs,
We should at least restore the national
credit so as not TO be obliged TO submit
to ruinous discounts. This the admins
istration is laborlng faithfully, consist.
entity and efficiently, TO achieve. Our
expenses have been materially cut
down, and are constantly being reduc.
ed; reforms In the collection Of the rev.
enues are daily being effected, and have
already Increased the receipts OF the
treasury many millions; ipcompetency
and dishonesty find neither favor nor
toleration In any quarter; and the sur
plus funds are being applied TO the
steady reduction OF the national debt.
In view Of these facts, the national
credit is every day growing stronger,
and 1t is the opinion Of the beat Judges
that the time ls near at hand when we
can iund our debt at q rate Of interest
as low rs that paid by any other ma.
tion. 1t Will be the duty OF Congress,
early IN Inc session, to consider this
euolect, and make such provisions 40
the eXlRenctes and opportunities may
suggest We can and must reduce our
burden OF interest several millions nj
no very distant day. This Is an Inn
perative duty which cannot safely he
neglected for the confederation of pro-
jects ior farther increasing our indebt.
edness, however plausible or desIra BILE
may be the object which It is proposed
to attain. =
There Is 4 demand for the reduction
OF our taxes, In accordance with the
practices and policy OF the Republican
party. But how iH such reduction pfao.
Lica6le, II we 60 on increasing the de-
mandB On the TreAsuryP However
desirable the proposed improvements
might be, and however much II
might be the duty OF government 10
lend encouragement and Q helping
hand, had It not other and more preas.
Ing duties to fulfil, 1t cannot now be
justly called upon to engage In any
new enterprises. The reduction of the
national debt, the restoration OF the ma.
tional credit, and the tightening OF The
burden OF taxation, are primary duties,
and nothing inconsistent With these
ends must be either done or oontem-
plated,