The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1871-03-04


have government which will be efficient
and at the same time wisely and economically
administered. When profigacy and cor-up-
ton become apparent it is necessary for the
well being of the people that such action be
taken as will restore healthy state ofafairs.
To-day, our people are taxed excessively to
keep Up the faith of the government given to
private interests in the shape of subsidies.
Millions upon millions of bonds have been is
sCed. the interest on which has to be met by
money taken from the middle and poorer
classes who cannot afford to be so generous
for the qualification and profit Of private in
dividuals. The system of granting subsidies
was persstently and strongly opposed by the
Democrats Of the country until the Rcpubsi-
can party came to power. Since then, with
the full control of the executive and legisla-
tive branches of the government that party
has given lands and money and bonds until
ii has seriously alarmed the masses This
system has increased our otherwise intolera-
BILE taxation and has had a greater tendency
than any other to corrupt our legislators.
Poor men are sent to Congress and before
their term expires let it be long or short. they
have in Railroad or Steamship Company that
is favored with a subsidy. Men desire to 60
to the legislature not for the legitimate pur-
pose of legislating for the benefit of the State,
things that have money in them which are
introduced at every session. 1t devolves up
on the Democracy to take a decided stand
and break up this evil, that grnds so heavy
on the consciences of representatives and the
pockets of the people.
We concur with the Examiner in the fol-
lowing remarks: Railroad subsidies is
Republican measure. 1t is twin brother to
customs subsidies, better known as protec-
ton to home manufactures. This means
simply taxing the great masses of the people
for the benefit of few Individual capitalists
and private corporations. The result would
be exactly the same if the tax were collected
by the tax-colectors and paid over directly to
the manufacturing capitalists. For instance,
the duty on steel rails is, on an average, so
per cent, or S28 Per ton. There are three
or four monopolies in the country who turned
outlast year l00, 900 tons of rails, the said duty
enabling them to sell their rails for s., $780,
600 more than the same article would cost,
without the duty, imported from England.
Now had Congress collected this money by
direct tax from the people and paid it to the
aforesaid steel rail monopolists, there would
have been just as much reason in it, And
so it is throughout all the range of the home
made articles. The people are taxed hun
dreds of millions-a larger sum than is re-
quired to support the Government-to swell
the revenues of few monopoists. When,
therefore, the Republicans vote for and advo-
cate subsidies to railroad comranes-go for
taxing the people to raise money to give a
favored few, they act perfectly consistent
with the leading tenets of their party. To
build up great moneyed monopolists-to take
from the many to enrich the few-have ever
distinguished the opponents of Democracy.
There is no necessity, therefore, for imputing
to those Republicans who support railroad
subsidies any other influences than those of
party. They 90 for them naturally and of
necessity. Since their party came to power,
not only Congress but the State Legislatures
have been run in the interests of monopolists.
They look to these to continue them in power.
1t is by means of their vast influence that
they expect to overcome the voice of the ma
jority. The Republicans must carry subsi-
dies in the coming contest and the Democrats
must oppose them. 1t is worse than folly for
their party to attempt to dodge the ISSUE"