The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-04-10

member and prominent statesman in
the country. Looking to the vast interest
represented by the capital and bond
holders of these railroads; looking to the
motives that control men, and paying due
regard to the tendencies of the times, and
the difficulties that inhere to the ques-
ton, may it not be apprehended there is
danger that, if we enter upon this COM
missions its omission, may end in the
same conclusion, that the government
must own The railroads ID order to furn-
ish cheap transportation to the people?
United by every feeling of my nature,
and by a political faith derived from the
teachings of Mr.. Jefferson, to the agricul-
tural interests of the country, and believ-
ing that they are the truest and most un-
selfish guardians of popular liberty and
democratic institutions, and recognizing
their complaints to be just, l, as friend,
entreat them to watch closely the efforts
being made to take control of their
wealth and their labor by either of the
modes suggested
Popular liberty is lost when the citizen
becomes a creature of the Government.
Freedom in the person is not consistent
with dependence upon or the guardian
ship of the ruler.
Since these expedieuts will not do, the
question recurs, IN face OF admitted
abuses and evils, are there no constltu-
tional and appropriate remedies? In my
opinion there are; and are
First. In this admitted power of Con-
gress to regulate commerce, not by inter
fering with the right of the citizen to con-
tract as he may please, but by Furnishing
by appropriate fines and penalties all COM
binations, trade regulations, ordinances,
or rates which interfere with, or ObStruct,
the freedom of commerce, whether adopt
ed by States, corporations. or individuals.
Secondly. By the improvement OF such
rivers and lakes as are national IN their
character.
Thirdly By the direct interference and
control of the States over such charters
as are being abused to the prejudice OF
the public welfare. In other words, the
exercise of the local sovereignty from
whom their powers are derived.
But beyond and superior to all these is
the fourth remedy, and that is that the
taxes, which rest upon the labor and pro
auctions of the country, shall be dlmln'
ished
What are these? Nominally they are,
for national, State and municipal purpos-
es, about 800, 900, 900; really they are
about $l,00O,000,00.
1t is estimated by gentlemen who have
given close attention to the principles
and workings of protective tariff that the
consumers under our existing laws pays
nearly as much into the pockets OF the
protected classes as passes into the pub
lie Treasury. This must be nearly the
amount the consumer loses, or rather is
taxed since he has to pay bounty eAacted
by protected classes, and then the ex-
penses and profits of the middlemen.
Again, / am persuaded that under the
monopoly that exists in the currency the
laborers and producers of this country are
taxed in the support of excessive interest
and in the difference that exists between
the currency they sell for and the currcn-
cy with which they buy many millions OF
dollars.
Isyour monopolies in the tariff and IN
the currency, added to the expenses OF
your national and local governments, that
create the great body of the evils of which
the producers of the country complain.
Let there be reform in your currency, and
construct your tariff and tax laws alone IN
the interest of revenue Give freedom to
commerce, retrench the expenses OF gov
eminent, and the burdens of which the
farmers and laborers of the country COM
plain will become lighter. Transports
ton will with such assistance as you
may legitimately give it. and left to the
wholesome laws of individual energy and
competition, adapt itself to the economy
of your legislation, and become cheap
RESPONSIVE 10 the demands of the people.