The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-07-14
EX-REVENUE COMMISSIONER
WELLS.

| EX-REVENUE COMMISSIONER
I WELLS.
/ From ths United States Economist July, 9.
The circumstances connected with the
retirement of the Hon. David A. Wells
! from his position as Special Commission
| er Of the Revenue afford another evidence
Of the intolerance of parties, and Of the
occasional success of official dulness in
snubbing more talented, but less exalted
lsubordinates Of all the persons in of
| fetal position under the United States
Government, Mr. Wells was one man
whose services were most conductive to
public interests, and whose labors were
| least influenced by personal or political
considerations. The Economist has re-
| peatedfy taken occasion to acknowledge
the general correctness of his statistics,
anu the soundness of his views on nearly
| all questions connected with finance and
taxation. He imbued a life and spirit
iuto the dull array of figures, and de-
duced from them maxims of law for the
relief of the prostra industryof the
country. 1t is the misfortune of the peo-
| pie that Mr.. Wells suggestions have not
only not been needed by persons in
authGrity, but that these views were so
little to official taste that they cost him
| his office.
But Mr.. Wells in retirement is more
powerful and influential than Secretary
Boutwell, in office. The recommendations
| Of the commissioner had more real weight
and authority with Congress than the
policy of the Secretary of the Treasury.
The notifications of the Tariff and Inter
nal Revenue laws were really based upon
the facts and suggestions embodied in
Mr.. Wells reports, and if Mr.. Boutwell's
views should be ultimately adopted by
Congress, it will be more through the
adroit and vigorous use Of the party lash
than by the confidence inspired in their
merits.
Outside of Congress there can be no
doubt whatever of the relative superiority
OF Mr. Wells influence. His views are
slowly but surely moulding parties, and
will ultimately. exercise definite infu-
ence upon legislation. The small but
growing Revenue Reform party is destin-
ed to exercise marked, if moi. a control
/ ling, influence upon the affairs of this
country. This influence will be all the
more emphatic on account of the neglect
or inability of the present Congress to
deal with the pressing financial questions
of the day. The people comprehend
that their interests are sacrificed to carry
out impracticable theories, and they in
stinctively turn to the sound common
sense principles Of Mr. Wells and the
revenue reformers. 1t is by no means
improbable that his return to Washing
ton may be in the capacity of Secretary
of the Treasury, for which he seems to
possess qualifications calculated to render
him in every way worthy of the position.
! It is to the credit of Governor Hoffman
that as soon as he heard of the probable
retirement of Mr. Wells as special Com
missioner of the Revenue, he rendered
him a position as one of three Commits
i soners to revise the tax system of the
State of New York. This action Is equal
ly honorable to all concerned. Governor
Hoffman is Democrat, while Mr.. Wells
is Republican, and the nomination of
the latter indicates most laudable dis
position to ignore mere party ties for the
sake of merit and capacity. The fact is
that questions of france and taxation
i should never be regarded in party light
under any circumstances. Like the
sciences, they should be made to depend
upon facts and observations, and on the
deductions therefrom after close and
, logical analyses, It is Mr. Wells chief
fault and merit that he was the first to
introduce, OF at least to Practice, this
view in this country. The innovation is OF
/, incalculable benefit as an example to
politicians and statesmen. It is true. il
has cost Mr.. Wells his position, but il
1 has won for him the confidence Of his
countrymen, and demonstrated to them
his capacity for still higher and more
important duties when the proper tim,
: arrives.
E W. L. PoRTER.-We have just bee,
e called upon by Mr.. Porter to close hi
| subscription for short time for the TEL