The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-11


the war. Concerning these questions there
are apparent diversites Of interests and real
differences of opinion. The solutions of some
of them are embarrassed by grave difficulties.
They require time, as well as financial skill
and practical craftsmanship for their adjust
ment.
Differences of opinion on matters so recon-
dite and complex, in an organization en-
braciDg so many men of large intelligence,
trained to habits of independent thought, ex-
preston, and modes of action, are inevitable.
They are indeed to be expected and desired,
for from such freedom of discussion truth is
elected and proper modes of action are de-
duced. The men, therefore, who stood so
firmly while in a minority, amid the denuncia-
tions, arrogance, and scorn of power; the men
who met the stern exigencies of civil war with
such heroic courage, who asailed the slave
power and extirpated the slave system; the
men who grappled so successfully with the
perpleXing and pregnant issues of reconstruc-
tion, lifted helpless freedmen up to citizen
ship, exalted them to the heights of civil and
political rights and privileges, and made the
nation free in fact as well as in name, should
not shrink from the less momentous and less
embarrassing questions now before them.
Patriotism, principle, the continued exist
ence, reputation and renown of the Republican
party, and a due sense of self-respect and
pride of character demand that Republicans
now, as in the past, should have faith in this
capacity to carry forward to completion re-
forms so auspiciously begun. 1t came into
being as an organization of reform and pro-
gress, and should be ever ready to accept the
living issues Of the hour and march abreast
with the spirit of the age.
Unaided it has fought the battles of reform
with constancy and courage. Nor in the work
still before it can it hope for aid from those
who still cling to the traditions Of the past,
pride themselves on their conservatism, and
who during the conflicts of the past twenty
years have resisted all reform, and mourned
over every effete and hateful abuse as it fell.
If there are Republicans who are weary of the
aseendency of party who has achieved such
crowning victories, who are tired of the re-
sponsibilites of power, and would relinqush it
to other hands, they should remember that
there are none worthy to accept it. For
surely they cannot fail to see that the Demo-
cratic party, by its policy during the closing
years of its power, and by its blind and unre-
lenting opposition to reformatory measures
while out of power, even now, as if smitten by
judicial blindness, refusing to accept the Con-
stitutiona amendments as fixed and final, has
demonstrated its utter incapacity for such
trust.
Accustomed to success even against fearful
odds, and undertaking perhaps the intrinsic
difficulties of the pending issues, many Repub-
ton with high raised expectations. Ofcourse
they have been impatient, and not always salts
fed with results. But while these eXpecta-
tions have not been fully realized in the action
of either the President or of Congress, much
| has been achieved; enough, at any rate, to
satisfy them that the difficult problems will be
wrought out and the hoped-for results accom-
| plished.
General Grant came into office pledged to
maintain invoate the public faith, reduce the
national debt, diminish taxation, appreciate
| the currency, reform abuses in the civil and
! military service, and maintain order in the
| States lately in rebellion. By the combined
action of the President, the heads of depart
ments, Congress and the General Of the army,
many abuses have been corrected and many
reforms inaugurated President Grants
Indian policy is bringing forth evidences of its
Justice, it's humanity and its wisdom. The
firm, just and generous policy Of the admninis-
tration toward the States lately in rebellion,
| has brought much of order and security, and
crimes have largely diminished. In the in
terests of economy the services of thousands
of employees, both civil and military, have been
dispensed with. The currency has been ap-
preciated in value by tens and scores of mil
lions of dollars, and the national credit has
beer largely strengthened.
Without any increase in the articles subject
| to taxation, or in the rate of taxation, the
revenues of the fiscal year ending both of
| June, 1870, were nearly $409 ,000, 900 against
less than 1871 ,000, 900 for the year ending S0th
of June, 1869, showing gain of nearly S3S,
100000. On the other hand, the expenses of
the fiscal year 1870 were less than those of
1869 by more than SOC, ,000,0 900, thus showing
an increased revenue, and saving in expendi-
lures of more than S67, 100000 in the first
fiscal year of General Grants administration.
| In the last sixteen months of MIR. Johnson'S
administration, the receipts from customs and
internal revenue were less than 1912 ,000, 900.
During the first sixteen months of General
Grants administration, they were more than
$4,000 900, showing an increase of nearly
| S97 900 900.
Republicans will remember that during the
last two years of Mr.. j ohnsons administration
he removed Republicans appointed by Mr..
Lincoln and others who adhered to the prin-
ciples of the Republican party, and appointed
Democrats where he could do so. The charac-
ter of these appointments and the demoral-
izing influence which his opinions and conduct
had upon them were seen in the loss of scores
of millions of dollars of revenue in these years.
The large gain in the collection is mainly due
to the determined and avowed purpose OF
General Grant to secure an honest admins
tration Of the revenue laws, and the appoint
ment of Republicans to office earnestly devoted
to his economical policy.
During the recent session of Congress taxes
have been reduced more than SIS 900 900
The taxes have been removed from transporta.
tion by canals and railways, from sales by
dealers and manufacturers. The income tax
has been reduced to two and half per cent.
on all incomes above $2000 and 1t is to expire
at the end of two years. The tax on tea has
been reduced from twenty-five to fifteen cents
| oNf4aa 10 sc.