The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-07-29


surer, happier, II promotes every inter-
est II Injuries none. II is the angel
whose touch troubled the waters of the
stagnant pool, and gave their active
movement healing virtue.
This country is not all made up Of
creditors, bondholdors, and money-len-
ders, whose interest and greed lead them
to be contractionists, and debtors, who,
with equal selfishness and dishonesty,
are inhationists as guise for reputation,
These extreme classes are in fact small.
Between them is that great body ofmen
composing the large majority of our citi-
zens engaged in the various pursuits of in
dustry, at once producers and consumers,
at once creditors and debtors, who are con-
tent to labor and live on its rewards,who
pay their debts, who desire no policy for
their special benefit. but find their indi-
vidual prosperity in the common veal.
They may differ on this question which
/ have endeaYored to discuss, but they
cannot differ widely, and am sure will
consider dispassionately. 1t is my great
good fortune that | address such an au-
dienCe to-day.
This policy of the Republican party
has worked evil in another direction.
The Secretary of the Treasury discov-
cred last winter that he would have q
deficit Of $35, 100000. The revenues from
customs and from internal taxes had
fallen off. Importation and production
at home had alike suffered in this gener-
al depression.
Our army costs us more than 81 900 for
each man. Our navy had cost the last
year $33, 100000. There had been reck-
less extravaganza everywhere, The rev.
enues would reach $3.50, 100000 for gen.
eral purposes. Yet there would be no
retrenchment. There must be more
taxes, and these must be levied ON
Western products and Western consump-
ton.
Whisky had paid seventy cents gal
Ion. 1t was an enormous tax, but 1t had
been laid with care, after full consulta-
ton. 1t had been reasonably collected,
and realized more than $50,000,0O0
year, but it was Western product. 1t
furnished market for agricultural labor
and, therefore, they imposed an addition
al tax of twenty cents gallon.
Tobacco had been taxed twenty cents
a pound. This product of the South and
West had yielded thirty-six millions OF
revenue, and yet they imposed an addi-
tional duty Of four centsa pound.
Sugar had become an article of prime
necessity, and they imposed an addition
al duty of twenty-five per cent. upon su-
gar, molasses and melado. The result, l
am told, will justify the prediction. The
revenues have not been increased. Be
tween diminished production and dishon-
est collection, the aggregate receipts are
not larger. One half the officers of the
internal revenue have been indicted for
corruption, and the most conspicuous
Republican merchants of New York
are under bonds for smuggling silk
goods.
| have already spoken so long now
that must leave several subjects un-
touched. | intended to have spoken of
the Civil Rights Law; of the arbitrary
acts of military power in louisiana; of the
condition of the Southern States: of the
corruption pervading every department
oftheGovernment; of the Sanborn frauds,
the Custom House frauds, the Post-office
frauds, and of the general, personal and
official Generalization which degrades
the public service; of the frequent and fla
grant violations of the Constitution, and
the prostitution of public offices to
the purposes ofprivate spoils; and l in
tended to show that these were the natu-
raj outgrowths of a philosophy of gov
ernment and policy of Administration
which lie at the very foundation of the
Republican party. "By their fruits ye
shall know them"
STATE AFFAIRS,
But, gentlemen, l can not neglect en-
tirely our State affairs. This is a State
election, and its result can have no direct
influence on Federal politics. l have
yielded far too much to the practice,
which is wholly vicious; of giving atten
ton at a State election to questions which
can be decided only by the Federal Gov
vernment.
The Democracy has had control of the
State for two years, and we have had an
honest and wise and liberal administra-
ton. Governor Allen has done his part
right nobly, both in the direct admins
tration of his own office, and in the influ
ence he has exerted all around him. And
the acts of the Legislature may well COM
mand our honest satisfaction and partisan
pride. Taxation has been reduced ex-
penditures have betn reduced; the sink
ing fund has been re-established; the pay
of county officers have been reduced; re-
forms have been made in the admins
tration of justice, and a tribunal has been
proposed for the adjudication of cases
which have been long delayed.
STATE TAXES.
In 1868 and 1869 the Legislature
was Democratic, and the levy
of taxes for those two years,
for State purposes was $S,O42,94S
In 1870 and 1871 the Legisla-
ture was Republican, General
Hayes was Governor, and the
levy was. ......,.,........ 9,016,970
Showing an increase of. =. $974,O22
Nearly one million dollars and yet, not
withstanding that levy, that enormous
increase of taxation, the State of Ohio
was in default in the payment of its debt
due January l, 1871, to the amount of ST.
209,400 26,
In 1872 and 1873 the Legislature was
Republican and General Noyes was Gov
ernor, and the levy for State purposes
was $9,892,416, being one million eight
hundred and forty-nine thousand four
hundred and sixty-eight dollars more
than was assessed by the Democratic
Legislature of 1868 and 1869.
In 1874 the Legislature was Democratic
and William Allen was Governor, and
the rate of taxation was reduced from
three mills and fve-tenths, and thus re-
duced the aggregate amount for that year
$474,000. In 1875 they reduced the levy
to three mills and one-tenth, which will
reduce the aggregate amount $632,000,
saving in this way to the people elev-
en- hundred and seven thousand dol
lars.