The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-07-03
Importers and People Oppre ssed


Years ago the Government under which
we lived was characterized by n steady pur-
pose to promote the welfare Of the people at
large and to make the burhens Of the citizen
light. Economy was practiced in Govern.
ment expenditures, and measures were
shaped with tue view Of facilitating the
pursuits and increasing the gains Of the tax.
payers. But there has been sad change.
Tyranny and corruption always conspire
against the interests OF. the people and com.
bine to promote the comfort and wealth of
offlce-holders add partisan rings, and throw
power into the hands Of rulers and their
especial pets. Look at the South governed
with the plain object OF gratifying corrupt
and thievinS partisans at the expense of the
substance and the peace Of the southern
people.
The quiet and security Of the citizen-his
protection in his rishls-are considered rs
nothing in the scale against the vulgar parti-
sans and thieves. No matter Of right, or
comfort, or prosperity has been allowed to
protect them from the pundering arts and
brutal invasions Of the horde sent to prey
upon them.
When we look to the North the Govern
ment has shaped its laws and It's admin istra-
tion for the especial benefit of the money
and whiskey and other rings, and to the adj
vantage OF sold-gamblers. From Credit
Mobilier down it has been thus. The Gov
ernment vaults are full of gold, aud the im-
porters, who pay SO much money into the
Treasury, and who should have been the OBJ
jects OF sympathy and protection. nave been
driven out amongst .he beasts Of the Gold
Board to be harried and torn by them until
they must feel that the Government under
which they live treats them more like
strangers than citizens.
The Government 6xes its duties and com.
pels the importer not only 10 pay them, but
compels him to buy gold ut a premiam to
pay them with. This gold it hosras, and
continues the process Of forcing the importer
= to suffer at the hands Of the gold-speculator.
The Government combine with the gold
gambler to skin the importer, and by hoard-
ing gold Is placing the importer more and
more at the mercy of the gambler. This is
not according to the political economists IDEA
OF the duty Of Government to the citizen.
Its purpose should be to benefit him and
not to Cypress him. Bsdenoagh, 1t is made
worse when we consider that by this oppres-
sion gains are thrown into the hands Of O
class Of people ioag way from being the
most nerilorious Of the different classes Of
our population.
This system Of compelling the payment OF
duties in gold has get worse effect 1t de-
preeiates the money the people have TO deal
in. The -four dealer adds to his -four the
premium On gold, and the consumer is made
70 pay, for Instance, for barrel of foue that
should sell for 81 the SUM OF 1881, and so
for all things the premium on gold is added
through the depreciation of the national ia.
per. The Whole. nation suffers from yicieas
policy that bears immediately upon single
class.
The Government cannot rightfully COM
pei payment 10 gold while 1t pays its OWE
debts III paper money. That which it paws
the people it should take In payment from
them. 1t cannot select one class of nav.
ments on which gold shall be required With.
out doing injustice, and the class it has
chosen In this Instance operates q hardship
upon the whole country and an injury to the
Government itself.
We repeat that the Government shopld
'iioW the importers 10 pay duties In green.
backs aud not drive them into paying double
iuties, as It were, by compelling them TO S
ubmlt TO the sharp practices of the gold
REGULATORS. The Government could control
50, gold market and stamp out the gamblers,
hat would give immense relief to the eoun.
y and facilitate the advent Of .syesump- !,
on b