The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-19

Editorial OpInIons Of tho LENDING Journals
UpOu Current rSptcs-COmpiied Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph.
GLAD TIDINGS !

will expend all that remains of their wrath
upon General Grant and the Committed of
WAYS and Means. The offense of the Presi-
dent is rank and must be punished he has
listened to the voice of the people, and has
come to the conclusion that they want and
must have substantial relief. And the men,
bers of the Ways and Means Committee are
not less guilty. They have heard the coun-
trys cry, "Down with the taxes |" They have
agreed to recommend some measure of reduc-
tion. Great will be the fury of the monopo-
lists and their prophets, and terrible the fate
of President and committeeman. Who
knows what will happen now the powers that
be at Washington begin to evince their appre-
citation of the feeling prevalent throughout
the States?
We have no doubt that General Grant will
survive the scolding that is in store for him,
and will even come through the ordeal
stronger than ever. He commenced his Elk
ecutive career with the declaration that
though having on all subjects a policy to
recommend, he should have ''none to enforce
against the will of the people" On this sub
ieot of taxation he has kept his word. In
December he recommended the retention of
the present rate of taxation through another
years as a means of facilitating the funding
of the debt. That was General Grants policy.
Since then the will of the people has been
made manifest. 1t is that taxes shall be
reduced now. Precisely how reduction
shall be effected, what taxes shall be re.
vised or repealed and what maintained,
is q matter in regard to which opinions differ.
But on the essential point-that the fiscal bur-
dens shall be ightened to the greatest possi-
ble extent, and without delay-the people
are all but unanimous. On no other sub
iect is there half the unanimity that prevails
on this. "Down with the taxes" is every
where the cry-a cry not prompted by ordi-
nary impatience of taxation, but originating
in the conviction that trade and industry have
endured the exhaustive drain of war taxes to
the full extent of their ability, and that a
diminution of the load is absolutely neces-
Bsry. This is the deliberately expressed judg-
ment of the people, echoed with few excep-
tions by the press and the force of which is
now recognized at the White House and in the
Capitol.
The demand for reduction must have i'm
pressed the President with greater force
because of the evident friendliness with which
it has been uttered. His policy and the will
of the people differed-but only as to order
and time. "First funding, then reduction"
was his maxim. Reduction frst that the
country may be relieved and its credit
strengthened by prosperity, then funding
is the policy of the people. In their ultimate
purposes the two methods are identical The
popular preference has not been expressed in
vain With O promptitude and frankness
his sagacity, General Grant has studied the
will of the people, ascertained its drift, and
comprehended its significance. Another
President might have clung to his own policy
despite all declarations against it. He might
have mistaken defiance for duty, and con-
founded obstinacy with principle General
Grant has moro correctly learned the respon-
sibilities of his position. Having ascertained
the will of the people, he proposes to carry it
into effect. He has discovered that they re-
quire reduction of taxes at once, and he
has exerted his influence to bring the Ways
and Means Committee to the same conclu
sion. For this candid acknowledgment of a
great fact, we thank him-and the people
will thank him heartily.
Will Congress with equal grace pause in its
personalities, arrest the empty talk which
renders it ridiculous and enter upon the
work which should have been begun last
December? Will the Ways and Means Com
mittee discard its Tariff of Abominations,
whose promulgation has provoked just indig-
nation, and acquiesce in the Presidents sug-
gestions These are questions yet to be
answered. General Grant, it is known, re-
commends an immediate reduction of taxes
to the extent of at least fifty millions-thirty
millions to be taken off internal taxes, and
not less than twenty millions off customs
duties This is the minimum of relief that
should be afforded The committee, it j:
understood has already adopted the PROPOSE
ton relating to internal revenue, and we
trust that it will not hesitate to renew the
consideration of the tariff, as well with the
view of abating its enormities as of dimi
nishing the revenue derived from it,
The satisfactory performance of the tasl
which thus devolyes upon Congress calls fol
the exercise of some of the qualities which
have just added to the greatness of the Presi
dent. Fifty millions less of taxation will b,
boon of no common magnitude. TO enable
the country to realize all its benefits, how
ever, the work of revision, whether of inter
nal or customs taxes, must be prosecuted
without fear, favor, or affection. The larges
possible relief to the people is the objec
to be aimed at; and any attempt to diminisl
this relief in the interest of specially y-favore
classes or monopoles will be unjust and i'm
polite. 1t cannot be forgotten that an,
notable reduction of taxation is a concession
to the people, exacted by the pertinacity an
force of their demand, with the help of tn
President; and Congress will blunder egrC
griously if in the process of reduction it sha
heed other interests than those of the peopl,
CONGRESS AND THE ADMINISTRATIO
ON THE CUBAN QUESTION.
From the NJ Y Herald.
''My policy" came within a single vote
the expulsion of Andy johnson from I'll
White House. Whether General Grant, r
membering the misfortunes of johnson, hi
or has not determined to avoid every dangt
of a collision with Congress, his policy seen
to be the policy of awaiting the action or I'll
opinion OF the two houses upon all the gre
questions OF the day. Upon the Cuban que