Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-08-12
From he Baltimore San
The Letters Of the Democratic Can
dldateS.

The Delay has served to pique pubic ourI0si-
~. aud give rise 20 a variety OF surmiSeS aud
not few jokes. Had Gov. Tilden now writ
ten as briefly as Gov. Hayes, for example,
the inquiry would still have been why he
could Dot have said as much weeks ago. The
democratic candidate has doubtless done wise
Is, therefore, IN making his letter, which un-
Der the circumstances was sure Of attracting
such universal attention, full exposition Of
his own views and position as well rs dis
cussiou Of the leading issues Of the campaign.
lt must be remembered also that though styled
a letter Of acceptance, Gov. IIiden IN fact &C.
ssuisi the nomination when il was rendered TO
him, ard that bis present letter is addressed
less 90 the convention OF the party which
nominated him, or the committee which APP
pIised him Of his nomination, than to the
American people whose suiIrases he invites
Il has therefore, a national interest, and will
Doe read aud deserves b be read by men of
both parties, by all at least who have a vote
o. cast next November, and who desire to be
placed 10 the position TO make an intelligent
choice between the rival candidates aud par
,.gs. It IN the nature Of an address TO the
country, aud las tie dignity and SD le Of a
state paper of the first order. The key note
of the address, to call it by proper name.
aud 60 Gov. Ii.den position IN the campaign,
is the argument he makes In favor OF the ne
ce,sity If a thorough and sweeping reform In
Nc administration aud policy ct the govern
mcut ia order 20 relieve the universal depreS-
sion Of al. It's business and industrial interests
uajcy which the country Is IaJoring. The
principal cause Of this depression GOV. TIlden
declares 90 be excessive governmental cXpcud-
.turcs an consequent taxation. Other coop
Grating causes be shows % b. mismanagemeut
Uf lhe currency, 40 unwiSe and unjust policy
towards the South, aud a corrupt aud need
lass'y expensive civil service. The reforms,
therefore. which he deems necessary, and to
which lie pledges himself, il elected, arc
First, u reform Ia expenditure and consequent
reduction In taxation; second. reform OF the
currency, by iuauguuuug the necessary meas
u-es which viii lead % a resumption of Spe-
Gle payments, and without which resumption
is impossible; third, policy Of exact justice
aad coucihatlou towards the South fourth, q
reduction of the uumJ,r of uliceaJIdcrs and
% tlo.uugh reform Of the civil service, by
making competency and fidelity IN Office in
stead cl party services the measure Vi official
qualification and tenure.
Upon an these Subjects Gov Tilen is E.
qualy explicit and pronounced with Gov.
Hayes, while his treatment oil them IN ms
letter is much fuller and more Gijactic. 10
re.arl % civil service reform he agrees with
Tie republican candidate, that the personal
aspirations Of a President for reelection will
always lie q serious stumbling block in the
way. Gov. Hayes proposes IN MS own case
90 remove '1H' STUN o''' O.,'N y U'ol''..'i
.h advance 'IN. u",'c' uo circumstances VIZ
1s oe y"1''..',1 '0' " 9.T'D I'm
'.'"0"' "-'.-
j" pose" ieS'''Vuo"' ~ V'u"''''yS UT .u' U,l'-
u.aiS' '.IO91S 10 'c"lo'e '"e U'"'C'"1 ','
o.. tine 90 come " coNs'l'u''onm a'HehI-
m,1t .'h.linS Jle II'S."eA' 10 I" S'hT'e ''Iiii,
H@' Oo'. l.utN says upon '"o '"VJ ecu OF
'ae Hunno1S anu ,.' 'I,l'1.l D.S,. ''I I 70 &c
S'--.,,~ "''1 %o,., ~ '-. -,
- .,,, -. .,,,,,,,-r,
,,,,,b c ,,1l,rl,,o ,ricL hall,
~. ,.,-, Min ~, ,ris,,,sti IN lisrrts u,, tlera
,,- Er no ro..;f,s Ir,,,rr NJ national rrosper-
,,,. r.Li,s tlc r5vs,rr,gr, ,Iso,bs ven, by
-. ,r. ,E,, me e,.l.,, 80 nom. #
- -. E, t,v.s F.le,,l ,,x,tioo
amounting during the past eleven years 70
four billions .fre hundred millions Of dollars,
swollen ty local taxation amounting TO two
tlT3sas much more ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Of
sEvaN MILLIONS FIVE HUNDRED MILLIONS IN
eleven yars-such is tie sum total Of gov
og1mcuai expenditure be presents. Nopeo-
pie, lie truly says, can live and prosper
under such burden of taxation, aud hence
tie necessity tUr rCtreuChmeut and economy as