Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-11-12
From the National Capitol.
WASHINGTON, Nov. Z, 1873.

WASHINGTON, Nov. Z, 1873.
Editor Republican
Certain publicity is already being given
| to statements which are 20 appear in the
reports of the several heads of DEPARTING mtg,
and reports of subordinate officers 10 their
superiors are being published in full in the
papers. One of the most interesting at this
time of the latter class is the Report of
| Treasurer Spinner, which, besides dealing
with dry figures, makes several suggestions
and recommendations of interest and value
| at the present crisis. AS it now appears
that the national debts being paid off at
less rate now THAI has been the case for
some years past the treasurer takes occasion
to warn Congress that one of two
courses must be adopted, either
taxation must be increased = and that
hardly any one will approve of-or appro-
priations must not be SO lavishly made.
While taxes have been dim ished, appropria-
tons have increased, and the receipts have
therefore been correspondingly less. The
Treasurer al so recommends the issuing of
certain amount of legal tender notes, con-
vertible into currency interest bearing
stock of the United States
The Postmaster General in his forthcom
establish of the postal telegraph, with
the facts and figu res concerning which the
public are already pretty well acquainted
through former reports, bat he also devotes
considerable space to recommendations for
establishment of postal Savings banks, as
the same are now and have for years past
been in operation in England The only
objection raised to both from party papers
is the cry of decentralization" but under that
cry every power might be taken from the
Government and put into private hands.
The telegraph certainly points to so intimate
| a connection with the mails that it is won
der it has not long ago been consolidated
withsthe post Office, and stranger yet that
the people have so long quietly submitted
to the extortlons of private parties, by
which telegraph facilities, practically are
out of the. reach Of the great mass of the
people. At the present time when banks
and saving institutions are failing on every
hand, the recommendation for a savings
bank owned and controlled by the govern
ntitself, will come home to the Peep lie
with peculiar force. Uncle Sam is in no
danger of failing, aud being responsible for
ever dollar entrusted to his care, the posi-
BILE deialcation ola postmaster or clerk W ill
Of course not affect the deposition. There is
little doubt both the telegraph and she saw
ings bank will at some time be brought in
to the hands of the Post Office Depart
ment, and the sooner it is done the better
for the people.
or the proposed measures to be brought
before Congress at the coming session is
said to be one looking to the assumption
of the debts Of the Southern States by the
federal government, and said to be in the
hands of General Butler for englne ering .
Such measure would hardly meet with
popular favor, and the only ground on
which it could be brought to the attention OF
| Congress at all, would be as measure of
reconciliation.
The result Of the elections last Tuesday
has been rather disappointment in politi-
cal circles here, but will probably serve as
a warning to some people. W.