Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-08-22
REFORM.

The speeches of Gov. Tilden on his
late visit to Central and Western New
York have called forth much and varied
comment from the press Of that State,
Democratic, Republican, and Indepen-
dent. Gov. Tilden vas one Of the orig
inal and most active prosecutors of the
Tweed ''ring' in the city OF New York.
This was before his election to or nom-
ipation for his present position. Since
his election he has stirred up the
Canal ''ring" BY suits and prosecutions
against the leaders Of that corruption.
Suits to recover S417,O have been
commenced against Henry D. DenisOn,
James J. Belden, A. Caldwell, Belden
and Thomas Gale, canal contractors.
An attach cent covering all their prop
erty has been issued, and a warrant for
their arrest placed in the hands Of the
Sheriff. The bail bond of each is
fixed at 100000.
A Federal Executive Of the same
virtue and nerve might render
the nation an invaluable service
by prosecuting all who have de-
frauded the Federal treasury IN
any way. within the last ten years. All
who are able to pay should be made to
respond in damages; and fraudulent
debtors should be punished by i'm
prisonment, t. vindicate the principle
that =" honesty is the best policy" In
stead of this, many have believed that
stealing public lands by means of a
railway charter, OF obtaining money
from the public treasury, or from the
pockets of citizens who purchase home
made salt, iron, steel, cotton or woolen
goods, or pay interest on Federal bonds
and bank notes, is better and easier
than to get money in any honest
way. The policy of robbing the many
70 enlich favorite few, willlead to the
just punishment OF tee guilty or it will
confer on them absolute power to en-
slave the masses. TIE system now
practiced IN this country, IS clearly rev
olutionary, and mustresult ina mOneyed
oIigarchy, or IN the denial Of exclusive
privileges to National Banks and other
mOnOpoies.
Justice, even handed TO all and fayors
to none, is the true policy. Govern
ment favoritism, like that exercised by !
the present Federal Executive, is the !
egg from which fraud is Matched. To !
give a few mea the monopoly of the |
markets of forty million people is to |
tempt them, beyond the strength Of |
hulan endurance, t. cheat the public |
by high prices.
Public temptations to steal have been
rot only on the Erie Canal
and In the large fiscal operations OF /
the city Of New York, but IN every de-
partment Of the Federal Government.
Temptations of this character abound
in all cities and State governments,
and measures should be devised to
lessen the incentives to crime. Crime
and vice grow upon what the ccmmu-
nifty feeds them from day 70 day, and
year to year. Men Of all parties have
made war on sound morals
oy rewarding political tricksters and
sham patriots as though they were
great public benefactors. Jefferson
that a candidate for Office
should have honesty az wel as capaci-
ty to discharge the duties Of Lhe place
sought or conferred. Reform in Office
holders and far greater economy IN
public expenses are demanded by the
people. The policy Of Gov. Tilden viii
reduce the State taxes one half IN New
York. There are other States IN
which a similar reduction should be
made. Taxpayers should select with
great caution the Gun to represent
them IN Congress and State Legisla-
tures. All reforms excite violent oP-
position from those whose pecuniary
interests are affected. Every dollar
taken from the pocket ot the masses
goes to enrich somebody who VIII move
heaven and earth openly or secretly to
retain MS advantage. No reform will |
come Il itself to benefit the commU-
nifty. 1t demands honest effort to meet
and put down RYE, if not rotten, sell