The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-05
Gov. TIlden's Letter.


fore the public within long period OF time.
II displays breadth OF mind, keenness Of
perception, and fulness OF knowledge
IN the discussion of the great po-
Btical questions OF present public
interest. 1t is agreeable, in these times,
10 peruse q paper Of such character
irom public man. HAYEs's small, mar
row, and commonplace letter was O mark
I'd contrast TO IL In every respect.
Gov. Tu.DEss letter 10 rs bold as II is
perspicacious. He shirks none Of the issues
IF the day. He INDUCES in no evasions,
bricks of language, or pretenoes Of any
kind. His friends will be streng thened by
HE study Of II, and his assailants will
and In il no point which they can shake.
Gov. T1LDEN accepts, strengthens, and
Illustrates the various important articles
Of the st. Louis platform on which he
Hands; and to the more important Of them
be gives force and defniteness which are
made all the more striking by his elucida-
ZION Of the ways in which they can be
practically applied in the conduct Of the
Government.
He flrst touches upon the question Of re-
reuchment aud reform In the administra-
Hon, sho wing the evils Of the extravagance
md wastefulness that have made necessary
HE enormous taxation by which the coun-
iry 10 depressed, and pointing to the strug-
gle In the House to reduce expenditures
pnder the menaces Of the Senate and the
Executive. He would deal practically
with this matter also, and proposes an
amendment to the Constitution by which
he evils OF the existing system may be
Femedied.
He next adverts to the Southern ques-
lion in words Of wisdom and sound sense.
He would seek to establish cordial fra
bernity among men OF every race, now
united in one destiny and he promises, as
Chief Magistrate, to exercise the powers
sonferred by the laws and Constitution.
10 protect all citizens, whatever their for
ner condition. in every political and per-
yonal right.
~xAsn qAwes ths chief feature of his
Iucid, but bristles with practical sug-
gestions for the establishment Of prac-
sicable financial reforms. He holds that
resumption Is not difiicult, shows the meth
DDS and means Of resumption. indicates the
time for resumption, and points out the
preparations that ought TO be made
for resumption. The proper time
FOR resumption" he says, lis the time
when wise preparations shall have ripened
INTO n perfect ability 10 accomplish the
object with certainty and ease that will
Inspire confidence and encourage the re-
ewing Of business. The earliest time In
which such result can be brought about
b the beat" A vague idea OF distress is often
associated with the process OF resumption,
but Gov. TILDEN shows by a few words
Mat this is unfounded. The Government
b the sole delinquent and has only TO
make good its own promises, when the
banks can take care of themselves without
distressing anybody. He does not think II q
work Of difficulty for the Government to
make the coin now In the Treasury avail
able for the objects of reserve to gradu-
hiy strengthen and enlarge that reserve,
and TO provide for such other exceptional
demands for coin rs may arise. The best
resource, as provision for reserves and re-
dempton, is q reduction Of the expenses
of the Government below its income; for
chat imposes no new charge on the people.
The specific measures and the actual date
OF resumptive legislation are matters Of
detail, having reference to ever-changing
conditions, and belong to the domain
of practical administrative statesmanship
The liking OF definite date for resump-
sion, without preparations for ii, is a
Iham; and the Governor is evidently in
perfect accord with the report that was
yesterday agreed to by the House Commit
Gee on Banking and Currency in favor of
the repeal Of the resumption day clause in
the act OF 1875. No practical progress to-
ward actual resumption has been made,
but there have rather been steps back ward
Having gone over this ground thoroughly.
hr. TLDEN closes the subject by say
ing; There is no necromancy in the
operations Of government. The homely
maxims OF every day life are the
best standards Of Its conduct. A debtor
who should promise to pay loan
put Of surplus income, yet be seen every
day spending all he could lay his hands on
In riotous living, would lose all character
For honesty and veraoity. His offer of a
new promise, OF his profession as to the
value OF the old promise, would alike pro-
woke derison."
Mr.. THDEN makes some excellent OBJ
servations on the means Of relief to exist
ing business distress. He desires that the
subject shall be practically dealt with.
The public mind will no longer accent
bhamS. 1t has suffered enough from H.
hsions.
The last theme Of his message is civil SER
vice reform, and he handles 1t like man
OF business and knowledge. He points out
tho two great evils in the Govern
ment service. One is the prevalent
and demoralizing notion that the
public service exists not for the
business and benefit OF the whole people,
but for the interest Of the ofiicehold-
ers. The other evil Is the organization
OF the official class into body Of politi-
cal mercenaries, governing the caucuses
ana debating the nominations Of their
own party and attempting 70 carry