Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-05-17
From the N. Y. Tribune.
Gov. Tilden's speech at the
Chamber Of Commerce Banquet.
Thursday Evening, May 4, 1876.


Thursday Erening, May 4, 1876.
The President said "The second toast
on the programme is The State OF New
York. and have great pleasure in pre-
senting to you in response to this toast
Gov. Tilden, who [great applause the
audience rising and cheering who, l
say, has come down from Albany to be
with us this evening" [Renewed ap-
plause. Gov. Tilden then said
have come here tonight to spe ak
word for our State. 1t must be but word
though. / think the wisdom Of the com
mercial community is concentrated aha
personifled in your presiding officer
Applause.l shall not, therefore, dare
to disobey his injunction or to trespass
upon your time beyond the limit of his
permission. We have heard from the
gentleman who last addressed you an Ac-
count of the melancholy and deplorable
experience ofthe present incumbent of the
Presidential chair. Laughter.] l con-
fess, as | look around me, see that the
statement appears to have depressed
several gentlemen here. l am myself
little depressed this evening, for have
just left at Albany 27O bills that are to be-
come laws, and on which have to pass
in the next twenty odd days. But when
| think of the several hundred bills that
were not passed. my melancholy turns
into joy. Laughter and applause,] l dc
not know as can add anything to what
has been already said in respect to oul
commercial troubles. Nothing so much
interests this audience, but inaSmuch as
the Attorney of the Federal Goyernment
has come here and put in u cOgnout, l &c
not see that anything remains but to enter
up judgment. Great laughter and ap
pause.1 Undoubtedly when my frient
asked what is the matter with you, anc
then answer it-sver-taxation and abuses
in governmental put his finger on the
real evil. But he seemed to have an I'm
preston that the principal source Of the
difficulty was municipal government.
Now, my fellow-citizens, the Fedora
Government draws from the five million!
of people in the State of New York more
far more of taxes than the State Govern
ment and Local and Municipal Govern
ments put together. Applause. MIR
Opdyke, in the Convention of 1867, esti
mated the taxes of the Federal Govern
ment in the State of New York at $50,
600, 900 but putting it much less thai
that, they exceed all local taxation ant
all State taxation. And in that connec
ton I have the satisfaction to announc,
to you that this session Of the Legislature
which has just closed, has kept down tn
tolls on the Erie Canal, provided for the
Improvement of that great work, and re
mitted eight Of the sixteen millions o
| luACS uluW ii llolu lHC pSOPi0 Va Wills o''s'
two years ago. [Applause.]
This learns us to consider a little, no
merely the evil, but the remedy. 1t i
idle to talk about over-taxation unless W
reduce taxation. And it is gratifying t.
me to say. tonight that at the close OF tn
present session the State Governmen
RENTS to the people of New York fou
millions of taxes [Applause.] 1 quit
agree with the speaker who last addresse
you as to the inhuence-the powerful
power-this body of men can exercise
over public opinion, and over the destinie
of our country. If with firm, bold, feal
less and decisive hand you will strike q
, the root of these evils, prosperity wi
again return. Applause. OF course,
am not here tonight to speak on this sui
ject am simply making, as the Dow
East clergyman says, the application
the very excellent sermon we have hear
from my friend. [Great applause