, 1869-01-30

David 4. Wells, Special Commissioner Of
Revenue, has, III the last three years, proved
lis fitness ior dealing With financial, econotn-
leal and industrial questions, to the complete
satisfaction OF every man Of sense, who IS
acGuaiuted With what he has done. Of oil
tbo>e in Washington who have any part IN
the management of financial affairs, he Is the
best grounded in the principles Of en'fsht-
cred political economy. Is most thoroughly
acquarted With the details Of our Industrial
| ard commercial system. and is most capable
OF suggesting from his kno~lcdge q plan OF
| legislation coherent and systc mntic in IT'S
| parts and beuedcent IS whole We are for |
| him as Secretary Of the Treasury In General
| Grants Cabinet.
| The diIhcnlty that the country has en-
countered in the management OF Its none
! tory aud commercial affairs, has not been
| want oi general Intelligence, patrintism or
honesty on the part OF those who have had
mcss influence therein. Mr. Chsse vas
unde1iably aoIe, and 60 was Nj. Ftsssendcn,
these men went into office without any spe..
ial preparation for its du'ics; and each one at
the commencement OF his Official career found |
himsclt so overwhelmed with cares that the
acquisition Of tho technical knoTledse neces-
saiy 10 his. highest usefulness, was
entugh 10 make head against the nsgs5resslons
| Of particular interests upon the prosperity
u The whole: hence again, Congress- com, ssano
pesffS ppSzfous 4eD to q fa Tut had u' not sss
remotest notion OF the dirc,,i IN III which the
, right lay, left ut the mercy Of those whose In.
| terest II was to mislead and bctray, havc
never had financial ruader for Its guidance.
, 10 Secretary Of the treasury has had the
power, by the extent, variety ard e1actncss
: ct his information about what Secretary
should kuow, to compel 1t TO his wishes.
The result has beer. q series OF cnactments SO
: precious IN heir operation, that, had not
e the country had resources Of wealth
:. and patriotism that no country ever had be-
d fore, It would hayc been beggarsd AID & de-
r stroyed by the mistakes OF Its friends. Our
), revenue eystem, judged hg Its effects upon
;. the industry Of the people, Was. When ar5i
4 nut In operation, o continuance Whlcn d4o
= nothing 60 edtctually as to destroy ne Go9a3 G3
ID was 70 blind ard sweepiug ID fts exactions,
'c leyying Unfortunately upon that which
~ could nn@ ,hst which could not bear INC uur.
:. deus Of taxn,ion, that It Il a miracle that
o. ta5ed When It should hare been exempt,
,e enormous duties upon articles In the produc-
e tiou Of which We ought to dcly the competl
y. r tion Of the world, impost upon impost Ptleo
&c commerce; double, treble, quadrupls take!
be CHARGED upon Industry that should has'
OF hardly bernc anvthflg; enormous monopo
'o- lies, like that of the sat-boie1s, built up bl
- ist;on of manuiactures and the cousequcu
Ias discouragement OF agriculture, neaSg o1t
dcrs thrust upon transportation that e1ouls
l'h have been lett as free =; possible m,ti.oa
nR Of millions Of money showed into The pocket
lhs an OF projected monopolists, which ought II
-. bave gone into the public coolers. 5.
id ihese apd innumerab1e other result
the Of legislative blundering art the con
ms s>ouence of the lack IN the Secfeti5F'c
nA~ that comprehensive kuowledge wishou
~ ", which thai oGlceris to-day bcnetactor an
I'D tomorrow q curEe.
I'd In the compls 5ities Of ouT gosefnmenaa o. u
ron system, made still more difficult OF manage
nent by The inherited prrjudices and error
and Of our people, the Science Of Taxation Is M
!, 81 f few mcn are permitted 10 master. me hs
NO craye uumbet Of CougTcssmeo ka9% as SLY " !
,hs ths Goverrmcnt Is the presence IN the Cso
~ ret cf some man who does kno
! far TIA man who has the. power :.
ss; re-. intellect to enable him to grasp !, i
1ae 1ae irsinipc whice viii enable. him to iran
= Of a system, the various parts OF "hch soaai !
in harmony with each other. and tae genef
be eject Of which shall he an equal dtstrsootk
rua Of the benefits and burdens Of g0ye.nm'e m
.a.c ..Ec over an industries and pursuits We belle
.h.y Mr. Wells 70 he the man. In as nanas :
5sca believe that the interests OF H'anuiact
would be sts further nso@1.sd q
n:ss them enjoy, ard The removal ot the dssa q !,
:tp.- lies nnHer which others suffer; that t
!, : d. d. business of snlp-orilding cor
st..e hc resumed; that our
''s'e eSport ~ ] trads IL woven cottons and the hr
hree dred other products Of our workshops 3
n mat looms could b. regaaired tne ta1es wou!a
70 I'd 4.oe '"H.t ~, IL voal< fnrre sred and II
1S3t, country Nol.u " ,3 ~ =. "a oir 70 ost ah1Ish
let OF naQot al c1eals QUIZ ~ H. ~ aI,n =;
cary II such results are pIomiseu " .nG HPr -
n.; nept OF man outside Of a. pol1sse san 511
Jou +to., ,h9t nc any other man On the c0ntine
ahas ,er why 70 rrons : am7pg the political hack:
and tic day lot caIo1oaso AVA 80.
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