The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-12-17

fIT GIVES US unusual pleasure to
inform our readers that all danger of
4 war with Spain, growing out of the
TrginjuS affair has passed away
The disgraceful spectacle of two Re
publics trying to destroy each other
will not be witnessed while CASTELAR,
is President of Spain and Grant is at
the head of affairs in the United
States.
The Imperative Duty Of Congress.
y Very much has been s&id and
written about the duty Of Congress
to regulate the finances so as to give
relief to the business OF the country.
We conccde in the opinion that some
legislation is deStrable. We do Lot
concur in the statement that the ne
cessity is any greater now than 1t
has been for the past ten years. Nor
do We believe that the failure Of Jay
Cook 4 Co., and of those that fol-
lowed was the result Of our financial
system or was caused by the scarcity
Of our circulating mediums. We be
lieye onr whole difficulty has grown
out Of the extravagant ideas and ex-
trayagant expenditures Of the people,
which have naturally led to eNtray-
agant appropriations hy Congress
for all manner OF objects, and these
have induced speculation. loose IDEAS
OF integrity, and dcfalcation. The
country can recover its business
prosperity, although no change
should be made in the laws regulating
the currency. But it cannot recover
from the bad effects OF extravagant
appropriations, loosencss in account
ing for funds in the hands Of officials.
and the general laXity that has grown
mp as to the use Of public funds.
The imperative duty Of Congress
therefore. as it seems to us. is to en-
force the most rigid economy consis-
ecnt with the proper working Of the
Government.
The Secretary Of the Treasury re-
commends an increase of taxation
in order to meet the demands Of the
Treasury cccasioned by the falling
off of receipts since the panic affect
ID the business Of the country. We
trust Congress will do nothing Of the
kind. but will DO what prudent men
in the management Of their private
affairs do-decTease their expenses
till they come within !their income.
If Congress viii simply refuse to
appropriate money not needed for
the legitimate expenses OF Govern
ment there will be 10 need for in
creased taxation. Not a dollar for
steamship subsidies, nor for railroad
~Ntensions. Pay ships and railroads
g fair price for carrying the mails and
for other services. but not o dollar
for subsidies. Apply the same rule
to all other outside objects, and the
present taxation will furnish an am
pie remedy.
And this work Of enforcing econo-
my and saving taxation must be done
by the Republican members Of Con-
gress or it will not be done at all.
They will receive little aid from the
Democratic members. These accept
Fernando Wood rs their leader. and
he is one of the most notorious of the
cOrruptionlsts. No good can be ex-
pected of a member of Congress that
voted to make Fernando Wood
Speaker.
The only hope Of reform is in the
Republican members, and they may
as well face the fact that the people
are in earnest and will have reform.
The Republican members of Congress
have the fate of the Republican par
ty in their hands. Honest and eco
nomical Legislation will give the Re
publican party new life Increased
taxation and extravagant expendi-
lures will bring Is speedy overthrow,
and this is the way Democratic mem
bers should vote--for increased tax
ation-ior the people expect nothing
better of then.