National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-27
MIR. WFYDOU'S REPORT

MR. WINDOWS REPORT.
It is exceedingly unfortunate that Senator
WINDOWS report from the Senate Trans
portation Committee was submitted during
the pending transient excitement regarding
financial affairs. The public men Of both
parties, and the people generally, are so
fully absorbed with the consideration Of the
Presidents veto. that the report viii not
1t is to be feared, receive the immediate at
tention it deserves. The simple truth Is
that the subjects treated in it are of mate
rial significance; in fact of greater impor-
lance than any that win be brought forward
during the present generation. It matters
not ito the agriculturists Of the country
whether the money they may receive as the
price of cotton, corn. and wheat is inflated
or contracted, if they have no means of
transportation with which to carry their
products to market What they desire first
and foremost is an opportunity to compete
with the grain growing regions of Russia,
and tho cotton producing dependencies
of Great Britain, and they desire to be free
from the intervening extortions of the rail-
roads which now consume the margin Of
profit on their products by heavy freight
charges between the localities Of production
and the points from which their produce is
shipped abroad. The money question may
DO settled afterwards. This, in brief, is the
platform on which the cheap transporta-
| tionists rest their case, and it forms the
argument to which Mr.. WINDOWS report is
addressed with gratifying and acceptable
response. 1t shows that the masses Of the
country, the great moral element of our
voting population, the very bone and sinew
of the land, have at last been heard, and that
their desires are to be needed.
It Is to be hoped that no squesmish and
mistaken policy of economy, no foolish
demagogism, will intervene, now that the
question is fairly launched into the sea of
Congressional debate, to prevent action
upon the recommendations Of the report
without delay. The investment by the
Government Of 500. 600 00o or even $780,
900, 900, in the proieps discussed viii be .
safe one, and one that will In time be sig.
nally remuneraaye. Twice or ten times
the sum recommended or estimated as me-
cessary would not be extrayagant In view
of the inmeasurable benefits certain to be
derived from realization Of their grand
conventions. -~-... ~
But as matter Of party policy It cannot
be ignored Il Is our boast that as Repub-
leans we lead In practical reforms and in
practical progress. In our party platforms
we have pledged ourselves TO this move
meut, and Il has been the subject Of the
mature consideration and earnest common,
idstiou of the President In his annus
messages he has repeatedly alluded to It ir
words Of no ambiguous meaning. Othel
leaders of tho party have Acknowledged
its force in different ways, and it has finally
become known as Republican measure.
one for the success or failure of which the
Republican party win be held responsible
It will not require the expenditure of more
than SIC, 0o0. 900 or $4,000, 900 8 year
and will gradually become remunera-
tive even before 1t Is completed
:, In thes interim of the construc
ton Of sthe great canals, employment
Twin be afforded to laboring men in the
South, where money Is scarce and labor L
plentiful, and In tho West where thrifty
progress awaits further Development. The
| Republican party viii thus become the agent
tDrthe direct distribution Of thousands ant
tm;llions of dollars and Hfii have theoppor
ltunity TO win and deseryethe good viii o.
! hundreds and thousands Of people who nov
naturally sympathize with 1t as the party o
lprogress, and who would not hesitate Il
lrecogliize Il then IS the national party, hav
ling an undoubted claim to recognition o
Its interest In the welfare Of every section
Iand the people Of every class. p Thu
view Of the case we find that tks 14fqer
land planters are not alone interested, bu
that iabofers contractors, merchants and tn
| trades generalIy have much at stake, 0the
governments have adopted great systems Q
| improvements, and have expended larg'
! sums In their execution simply for the pur
pose Of giving employment % these classes
and to encourage commerce by the necessar.
distribution oflarge sums money, but here W
have an opportunity todo more. While "
can give employment to idle though homes
people, md 50 benefit The tradesmen AM
/ manufacturers, we also have the ASSURANCE
tof knowing that the interests Of tn
country at large win be served; that tn
ldrooping energies Of the South vii
be revived, and that the development
of resources hitherto cramped and ever
hidden, win follow as the certain and natu