Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1870-08-27

llOD, appreciate currency, reform abuses
in the civil and military service and
maintain order in the States lately in re-
hellion. BY the combined action Of the
President, the heads oi Departments,
Congress and the General Of the army,
many abuses have been corrected and
many reforms inaugurated. President
Grants Indian policy is bringing forth
evidence of its Justice, its humanity and
Its wisdom. The firm, just and generous
policy of the Administration towards
the States lately in rebellion has brought
much Of order and security, and crimes
have largely diminished. In the inttre
Of economy the services Of thousands of
employees, both civil and military, have
been dispensed with. The currency has
been appreciated in value by tens and
scores of millions of dollars, and the Ma
tional credit has been largely strength
ened.
Without any increase in the articles
subject to taxation or in the rate of tax
alton. the revenues of the fiscal year end
ing 20th Of June, 1879, were nearly four
hundred and nine millions of dollars
against three hundred and seventy-one
millions for the year ending 3Oth of June,
1869, showing a gain Of nearly thirty
eight millions of dollars. On the other
hand the expenses Of the year, 1870,
we're less than those of 1869 by more
than twenty-nine millions of dollars,
thus showing an increased revenue and
saving in expenditure of more than six
tv-seven millions of dollars in the first
fiscal year Of Gen. Grants administra-
tion. In the last sixteen months OF Mr..
Johnson's administration the receipts
from customs and internal revenue were
less than three hundred and seventy-two
millions of dollars. During the first six
teen months of Gen. Grants administra-
iion they were more than four hundred
and sixty-nine millions, showing an in
ccrease of nearly ninety-sczen millions
of dollars.
Republicans will remember that during
the last two months of Mr.. Johuson's
administration he removed Republicans
appointed by Mr.. Lincoln and otherI
who adhered to the Republican party,
and appointed Democrats where he
could do so. The character of these APP
poinfments and the demoralizing infu-
ence which his opinion and conduct had
upon them were seen in the loss OF scores
of millions of dollars of revenue in those
years. The large gain in the collection
is mainly due to the determined and
avowed purpose of Gen. Grant to secure
an honest administration of the revenue
laws and the appointment of Republicans
to Office earnestly devoted to his econo-
mical policy.
During the recent session of Congress
taxes have been reduced more than sew
entyfive millions of dollars. The taxes
have been removed from transportation
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 two thou.
sand dollars, and it is to expire at the
end of two years. The tax on tea has
been reduced from twenty-five to fifteen
cents per pound on coffee from FIVE to
three cents; and the taxes on sugar and
molasses has been reduced in the aggre
gate twelve millions OF dollars per ar
mum. BY this reduction of taxation the
industries of the peop.e and the necessa-
ries of life have been relieved of burdens
amounting to millions The funding bill
is an important financial measure, which
contemplates the saving of interest upon
the public debt by the exchange of out
standing six per cent bonds for those of
a lower rate of interest, to the amount
of twenty-siX millions and a half year.
While reduction in taxes transfers the
burden of the debt from one year to an
other, from one generation to another,
reduction in the rate of interest is an ac-
tual saving to the country, not only for
the present generation, but for all time.
And vet these important and bencticent
financial measures, intended to Tighten
the public burdens, received little coun-
tenance and support from the Democrat
c party, whose responsibilities for the
war, it's losses, its expenditures, its debts
and it's taxation are 40 fearfully large.
Not faultless, but high, noble and glo-
rious is the record of the Republican
party. History will note it, and the
world will gratefully remember it. In
the light of the brief review of its
achievements for patriotism, liberty, jus-
tce and humanity, should not Republi-
cans, one and all, cling to their organi-
cation, rectify its mistakes, correct its err
rors and keep it true to its past traditions
and in harmony with the enlightened
and progressive spirit of the age? So
doing, may they not perpetuate their
power until their benefcent principles
shall become the accepted policy of the
nation? HENRY wilson,
Chairman of the Congressional
Republican Committee.
JAMES H. PLATT, Secretary.