The Portland daily press., 1874-03-18

every body and little to spare. The former
have the argument, the latter the numbers.
While it is merely matter of debate the con-
tractionists win, but when it comes to vote
the victory will be on the side of the expansion
lists. Is it any wonder that the friends OF
sound currency, hesitate to precipitate decision
which may infict upon the country the ruinous
which must sooner or later follow IN
the train of further issue OF IRE
deemable promises? They hope by re-
newed presentation of historic facts-by per-
suasion-by remonstrance-by entreatV-to
turn the scale in favor of better financial ideas.
The majority on tie wrong side is not large,
some of those who compose it are not entirely
impervious to reason, and the point at issue is
so momentous that it seems better to endure
for while longer the uncertainties of the pres
ent than to risk the calamites of the future. |
If a vote were taken in Congress to-day, the |
$44 600, 900 of which half still remains intact in
the Treasury, would be declared a part of the
regular circulating medium. Ifnothingis done
about it the Secretary will put out no more OF
it, except in some grave emergency, and Will
recall what he has disbursed as soon as the
state of bis exchequer will admit of it. There
is no possibility of increased taxation this ses-
sion and the Treasury is likely therefore to be
lean, and there is small chance of any mate
rial contraction of bills outstanding now, but
if we save the putting out of any more, we
shall have gained an advantage.
1t is obvious that the Republican majority in
l. IL H.
because they are unmindful of the wishes of
their constituents or Indifferent to the uncer-
tainties of the situation. They resort to "mas-
terly inactivity" as less evil than positive en-
ergy in the wrong direction. That they are
trying the public patience to dangerous de-
gree must be conceded, but it may be that their
course will be indicated by conservative re-
SUITS. That it is actuated by worthy motives,
there is no reason to doubt.
| The "Sanborn contract has been the text for
innumerable philippics against the administra-
ton, and especially against the late and present
Secretaries of the Treasury. And yet when it
comes to be thoroughly ventilated it implies
nothing more than that those officers were zeal
Gus in their efforts to collect all the revenue.
| Before Sanborn was heard of in this connection
| Otiler pdIUleS udu tpplltu duu TeCelNeu per
mission to look up arreargaes of taxes on the
moiety plan. They were unsuccessful in their
quest, and re ired without gain. Then Sanborn
appeared upon the scene, representing that if
| it were made worth bis while he would
put into the national Golfers considerable
sum of money which could not other
| wise be obtained. The Internal Revc-
nue. Depar ment employed no force adequate
to this kind of business. Its corps of employees
was altogether too small for the purpose. Ac-
cordingly an agreement was made that San
born should look up delinquent debtors and as
certain the amounts due by them, the reserva-
ton being made, that the money should be paid
directly to the Treasury Department, he be-
ing invested with no power to settle, compro-
mise or give receipts. He went into the bust
ness with remarkable system and energy.
He established an Office in New York with
branches in several other large cties-en-
gagged great number of clerks-explored the
records of the surrogates and Probate Courts
sent agents abroad--and organized bureau
on decidedly imposing scale. In the course
of time, and after mourning very large expenses
in acquiring the necessary information, he was
enabled to collect something over $500, 900 thus
| reimbursing his outlay and securing hand
some net profit on the undertaking. There was
| nothing occult or sinister in the contract.
| There is no reason to question the perfect good
| faith of the Government in becoming party
to 1T. But direct taxation is a new thing in
| this country, and it is better that some revenue
should be lost than that any mode Of collection
should be resorted to that is of an inquisitorial
or oppressive cF aracter. There was an often
sve SAVIOR of espionage about this unfortunate
contract, which rendered it exceedingly OBJ
| jectionable. The moment it fell under the ban
of popular censure, it was promptly sus-
pended.
| Until craftsmanship shall have reached the
standard of perfect infalibility, it is inevitable
| that
VIVA 9S. an aFG1 Tie p tas same example
but it is fact redounding to the
| infinite credit of the Republican
administration that it exhibits so marked
a Difference to the will of the people, that it is
prompt to retrieve errors and correct abuses
By all these signs am confirmed in my abid
ing faith that the party in power may be
trusted to apply the scalpel to all excres-
cences which disturb the symmetry or mar
the health of the body politic-that if bad
men attach themselves to it for selfish pur-
poses, they will be overborne by the immense
preponderance of earnest, upright, unselish
voters who made it what it is and mean to
| keep it what it should be-that, exercising the
| freeman's right of private judgment and i'm.
partial criticism they will fearlessly discuss its
| policy, and fight INSIDE the lines for the MAIN
tenance of its purity and integrity. Traitors
may desert it, enemies may malign it, pre-
tended friends may seek to betray it, but it is
worthy of the loyalty, fidelity and devotion of
every American who loves liberty and respects
| humanity. YARMOUTH.