The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-09-18

no time alarming the public mind into q
Withdrawal of that vaster machinery OF
credit by which 95 per cent of all busi-
ness transactions are pertormed-a sys,
tenn open, public, and inspiring general
confidence, would from the day OF Its
adoption bring healing on its wings 10
all cur hsrassed industries, set In motion
the wheels OF commerce, manufactures,
and the mechanic arts, restore employ
ment TO labor, and renew in all It's natu-
raj sources the prosperity OF the people.
REFORM IN FEDERAL TAXATION.
Reform IS necessary in the sum and
modes OF Federal Taxation, to the end
that capital may be set free from distrust,
and labor lightly burdened.
We denounce the present Tariff, levied
upon nearly 1000 articles, as a master
piece of injustice, inequality, and false
pretense.'
1t yields dwindling, not yearly rls-
ing, revenue.
1t has impoverished many industries to
subsidize a few.
1t prohibits imports that might pur-
chase the products Of American labor.
1t has degraded American commerce
from the first to an inferior rank on the
high seas.
1t has cut down the sales OF American
manufactures at home aud abroad, and
depleted the returns of American agrl-
culture-an industry followed by half
our people.
1t costs the people five times more than
it produces to the Treasury, obstructs the
processes of production, and wastes the
fruits of labor.
1t promotes fraud, fosters smuggling,
enriches dishonest officials, and bankrupts
honest merchants.
We demand that all Custom House tax
alton shall be only for Revenue.
REFORM IN PUBLIC EXPENSES.
Reform is necessary in the scale OF Pub
lie Expense-FederaL, State and Munich
pal,
Our Federal taxation has swollen from
10 millions gold, in 1860, to $50 millions
currency, in 1870; our aggregate taxation
rom l54 millions gold in 1860, to 100
millions currency, in 1870; Ut in one de-
cade from less than S. per head to more
than S1S per head. -,
Since the peace, the people have paid
to their tax gatherers more tnan thrice
the sum of the national debt, and more
than twice that sum for the Federal Gov
eminent alone.
We demand a rigorous frugality in
every department. and from every officer
of the Government.
THE PROPAGATE WASTE OF PUBLIC
LANDS.
Reform IS necessary to put a stop to the
prohigate waste of public lands and their
diversion from actual settlers by the par
u in power, which has squandered 200
millions of acres upon railroads alone,
and out of more than thrice that aggre-
gate has disposed of less than sixth d.
rectly to tillers of the soil.
THE SHIELD OF AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP.
Reform is necessary TO correct the omis-
sions of Il Republican Congress and the
errors of our treaties and our diplomacy
which have stripped our tellow-citiZrns
of foreign birth and kindred race recross-
ing the Atlantic, of the shield OF Amcri-
can citizenship, and have exposed our
brethren OF the Pacific coast to the incur
sionS OF race not sprung from the same
great parent stock, and in fact now by
law denied citizenship through natur"li-
zatIon rs being neither accustomed to the
traditions of a progressive civilization nor
exercised in liberty under equal laws.
We denounce the policy which thus
diScards the liberty-loving German and
toleratcs the revival Of the cOolie trade in
Monaghan women imported for immoral
purp oscs, and Monaghan men, hired to
perform scrvile labor contracts, and de-
mand such a modification of ;hc treaty
with the Chinese empire or such i""isls-
ton by Congress within constitutional
limitations as shall prevent the further
importation or immigration of the Mon
gOlian race.
SECTARIAN STRIFE AND SECTIONAL HATE.
Reform is necessary and can never be
effected but by making it the controlling
issues or the elections, and lifting it above
the two false issues with which the office
holding class and the party in power seek
to smother it
|. The false issue with which they
would enkindie Sectarian strife IN respect
to the public schools, of which the estab-
llshment and support belong exclusively
TO the several States, and which the Dem
ocratic party has cherished from their
foundation, and is resolved TO maintain
without prejudice or preference for any
class, sect, or creed, and without contri-
buttons from the treasury to any.
,. The false issue by which they seek
to light anew the dying embers of sec
tional hate between kindred peoples once
estranged, but now reunited in one indi-
visible republic and common destiny.
CIVIL SERVICE.
Reform IS necessary in the Civil Ser
vice.
Experience proves that efficient, econ
omical conduct OF the governmental bus
mess is not possible if its civil service be
subject to change at every election, be
prize fought for at the ballot box, be
brief reward of party zeal, instead OF
posts of honor assigned for proved COM
potency, and held for fidelity IN the pub
lie employ; that the dispensing of patron
aye should neither be tax upon the
time of all our public men, nor the in
strumeDt of their ambition. Here again
promises talsitied in the performance, at
test that the party in power can work out
no practical or salutary reform.
OFFICIAL CRIMES AND INSTANTANEOUS
Reform is necessary even more in the
higher grades of the public service.
President, Vice President, Judges, Sena-
tors, Representatives, Cabinet officers,
these and all others in authority are t. e
peoples servants. Their offices are not a,
private perquislte; they are public trust.
Wien the annals of this Republic
show the disgrace and censure of Vice.
President;
\ late Speaker otthe House of Repre-
sentatives marketing his rulings as pre-
siding officer;
Three Senators proftlng secretly by
their votes as lawmakers;
Five chairnen of the leading commit