, 1876-01-30

much moro easily explained in the light Of the
cruel trials and vlcissitudes that naturally fall
to the lots Of strangers in foreign land, and
their consequent many sore disheartenmente.
/ do not believe that free American institu-
tions, AZ such. exercise T. whoieeale-murder in
spring influence: but ii it ts true, rs Germans
claim that they do 80. it is worthy OF remark
that such influence is exerted principally, il not
wholly, Oh German minds; in which case it
would not bo verv surprising that philosophical
German writers should have been the first to
discover 1t and call tile worlds attention to the
fact. ANERIcus-
TAXES Us. TIE dnuMDLEna.
70 the Editor Of 1he Chicago J17oune:
CHICAGO Jan. 29.-My attention ia frequently
called to the existence Of the growing evil OF
which all, or most all, our ta1-paying ctizons
have Just cause of complaint. have no desire
to trot out that fayorite American bird.-the
oagle,-but I am anxious to say few words on
the subject of taxation, which must IN tho future
have more attention paid to It by the citizens of
this Republic than they have hitherto paid to it,
on soon the boosted rights Of American citizens
will become, through the anarchy that must fol-
low the present condition of things, 4 meaning
less sound OF term of rep1oach- We have in our
cosmopolitan Government many characters
which are not unlike those Of the different na-
tionaliues tkoy in part represent; those who arc
to the manner born have quito as many sins to
answer for as those who come from foreign
cline. Especially when We consider the fact
OF the superior advantages in our own to other
nations, ia it not far to assume that those who
have been favored with all tho advantages which
should result from q free education III all the
elementary branches are more responsible for
the present condition Of society than he who has
not possessed these necessary blessings or es-
seutial privileges? While admire tho honest
critic, despise the noisy croaker whose time is
spent in complaining OF things to change which
he is not willing to devote an hour. Such
biped, and there arc many. not only deserves the
infection Of the swag-gatherer's lash: nov SO
vigorously applied in their city, county, and
State. but, in addition to the above affllction,
should be shunned and abhorred by all who be-
lieye in the noble wordB of the real patriot who
said, ''He that would be free himself must strike
the blow"
II VIC turn to the pages OF history, back to the
middle centuries Of Greece, We find there two
characters, life size, of which ne see minia-
tu1e almost every day. One Of those to which
aluds il pious deyo.ee Of the Greciau religion.
He erected a vast house Of worship, On the top
OF which he built tho proudest monument OF his
devotion to his religious faith 1t Was called the
Ephssian Dome. Cantur1es passed away, and
there stood the harmless monument. But, in
the strange aud eyar-changing condition Of
things, thore lived in Greece second character,
"a youth who was not gifted with sufficient
b1aine, patience, or industry to become ranown-
ed in art, religion, or politics. although Of noble
birth; yet be had thai ever-preseut desire so
conspicuous in the human character,-a love OF
notorlety. To acquire this he assembled the
steps Of the temple that led to the dome,
unseen, aud, with torch in hand. he
applied it to this most venerable
mon lmeut, and while the flames that we're
kindled By his own hand we're his only hope to
escape the certain tortures Of tho people, which
would have been inflicted for the dissertation Of
their temple, and while his crlsped hand
still clanched the torch with which ruin was
mrought. he defiansly proclaimed amid the con
sumins flames these words: "Tho ambitious
youth rho fired the Ephesian dome outliVes in
fame the piouA fool who reared it,"
We see almest every day both these characters,
after the lapse OF centuries, IN this country
Of free schools. These characters should have
soo.n to 10 inherent in mankind. Whele they
do not exist they are supplemental By that
other scourga OF our race,-hJpocr5y. 1t is OF the
latter propose to speak as one. il not the prln-
cipal, cause Of the present condition Of things.
Ia it not true that there are men holding high
official and subordinate positions in our State
and Municipal Governments who would not be-
accepted as associates of any respectable man
outside of the political cesepool in which they
Nnllow? It is not my purpose to make these
criticisms without Offering remedy, for TO do
30 would bring mo within the sphere Of what l
denomiuate g1umblers. The remedy long sought
for is simple-let the people voto-all the peo-
pie. Let a law be passed by tho Legislature
that every citizen Of the State STALL at least five
days before an election for State, county,
town, or municipal officers, appear aud register
his name and place Of residence. For falling
to do SO, be shall for the first oGense be fined
sum not less than 800 and stand committed to
the County Jail until paid. For the second
ofanse he shall bo debar1cd forever the privilege
Of exercising the elective franchise all courts OF
record to have Jurisdiction to inquire into and
determine the guilt or innocence OF the accused.
The above is the substance OF the first step to
be taken for the future safety OF the Republic.
After the voter shall have obtained his certih-
cato from the Board OF Registers, he shall bo
compelled to vote at every election, and for
failure so to do should for the first offense be
for the second offense be forever deb1rred
haf taI tS Of the % ne e'n should Gpe'' 20 ona, to
the informer and the other half to tho support
Of the public schools. It should be further pro-
vided for special oath to be administered to
fact il any voter has failed to vote.
would also ask the Legislature to pase Ian
to punish drunkenness aa public crime, espe-
cially when indulgea in By, public officers. the
who shall have been elected or appointed, who
shall, while holding such office, become into1i-
Gated shall. on conviction thereof be dismissed
from tho office to which he was elected or ap-
pointed. anu 6nall Dc forever disqualified from
holding aay Office in .he State In al cases Of this
kind the Courts should be compelled to give the
charges in such cases the Preference and should
hear them With as little delay as possible. We're
the above restrictions the law Of Illinois to-day
both political parties In this State would be led
by men and minds which every citizen would be
justly proud of. Our punishment for this lack
OF wisdom is that We are now led by lot Of po-
lltical pigmies, whose political fruit ia the
Whisky Ring, Courthouse, and Custom House
swindlcr- This, together with our noble andin-
tolIigent Common Council, are some OF the luxu-
ries We would no longer enjoy, it we stop grum-
bling and 80 to voting, With the full understands
ing that voting is duty, and failure to vote is
3 crime. hope these remarks will be received
by the public in the samo spirit in which they
are written. for assure rou have only penned
them in the hope that they may lead our law
makers to promote the public good.
W. Fl. EDDY.
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
70 thu Editor Of The CHICAGO Tribune:
CHICAGO, Jan. 29.-1t is q question that is
agitating tho minds OF the mothers OF Chicago
at the present time, What ehail ne do with our
children? When We ask the fathers, they sar, !
IT Send them to school" But where? Why, to |
ha rrh1ic aehon1 nopsf uo rnv cur 4nrno aud /