Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1871-06-15
Investigation and Taxa
TiNn-

TsOI.
Many ways have been devised by
Congress TO increase II { p es OF
the government, to draw money from
the treasury aid consequently to con-
tnIe the burden&ome taxation of abe
people. VIII the tax payer consider?
VIII they inquire into the questions
that naturally arise the appointment of
the committee to investigate Southern
outraGes. and the Passage Of the Ku-
Klux bill? Gnormus expenses are as
inconsiderately incurred as though the
people, raised money as they do wheat
or corn, or manufactured it as the New
Highlander does calico or the Govern
ment does The national bank notes.
Take for example the Committee of In
vest;gatlon recently appointed by con-
gress. The legitimate fruits of this i'm
position and a~bsurdity under our form
Of government are already ~rirening.
During the winter the Senate had
a committee OF investigation, which
coll ctcd and eportcd II great mass of tes-
timony, such as it was. Yet, although
this expense had been made, the Radi-
Gals were not satisfied There must be
a further investigation. More money
must be expended. Another d~nand
must be made upon the people. Sudden
Up they charged the South with fomenting
another rebellion. And under the pre-
tencc of irquiring, without intending to
pass any law until the committee should
rep Or, they induced neaaly all Demo-
Gratis 10 vote for tie appointment of the
committee.
The committee has had a meeting in
Washington. The committee is
com posed oil twenty-one memuers.
Observe how diligently they study
economy, avoid unnecessary expenses
and expose themselves to slight hard
ships and Inconvenience for the puplic
good. Th9y vote themselves IS per
diem, and ten cents for every mile of
oftravel going, returning or diverging.
They also vote to gave witness So per
diem and ten cents per mile for every
nile of sravel.
And having dcne This are they willing
to make the best use Of their time, saw
ing money to the people and securing
the facts as they exist on which to make
a reliable report? No. When it is
borne in MUD that this committee has
resolved to continue its sessions in
Washington, and to bring witnesses
from The Sonth to be examined, any one
will perceive that they have adopted a
most costly method OF investigation, and
one the least likely to elicit the truht, al
Though it may be more comfortable in
hot weather for the gentlemen conduct
ing the inquiry. Cushioned chairs, re-
freshlmg ice-water, and capacious hotels
are always desirable, whethec expensive
or not, whether the public foots the bill
or not.
VIII the voters and Taxpayers look
ut this question? On what grounds did
Republicans ask for the investigation?
On tn ground Of ALLEGED outrages, such
as arson, raPes; robberies, murde S and
assassinations, arc committed i'll various
localities throughout the South, and that
the criminals 60 Unpublished, because the.
authorities eitker ecnnive at the crimes
committed or are powerless to arrest and
punish. Admitting there IS some founda-
ton for the charge, how can they q scert-
ain the act by remaining la Washington,
gany hundreds OF miles away from the
place of their occurrence, without bring
ing the whole distance mUltitudes of
witnesses, increasing the cost without
limit Observe the charges are not
made against individuals, but against
communities and States; against VIII lie
sections of the republic What finite
mind can decide such an issue upon the
examil. alton of a few men selected from
each locality. The II ere suggestion Of
the character Of the issue makes it most
apparent that tine and money will both
be spent in vain without bringing from
all parts O: the South hundreds of men
to give testimony.
Then what? Yes, t~ax-papers. plow-
men, ahorefs, then whaf? You have
through the mill and know. We
nee I net remind you,-you have baen
almost crushed under the load. Taxes,
heavy taxes, continued taxes, enormous
taxes. Considering prices. still more op
pressive taxes. Considering the price of
living, taxes almost unjust r."
II yon enjoy il, vote for it