The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1876-08-18
Gov. TildenS Letter Of Acceptance.
ALBANY, July 31st, 1876,

GENTLEMEN: When l had the honor to
receive personal delivery of your letter
on behalf of the Democratic National Con-
vcntion, held on the 29th of June, at st.
Louis, advising me ofmy nomination MS
the candidate of the constituency repre-
sentcd by that body for the Office of Prcsi
dent of the United States, answered that,
at my earliest convenience, and in con-
tormity with usage, l would prepare and
transmit to you formal acceptance. I
now avail myself of the first interval in
unavoidable occupations to fulfill that en-
gagemcnt.
The Convention, before making its nomi-
nations, adopted Declaration of Prnci-
Piles, which, as whole, seems to me q
wise exposition of the necessities of our
country, and of the reforms needed to
bring back the government to its true
functions, to restore purity Of adminatra-
ton and to renew the prosperity of the
people. But some of these reforms are so
urgent that they claim more than pass.
ing approval.
REFORM IN PUBLIC EXPENSE.
The necessity of reform "in the scale
Of public expense-Fcderal, State and Mu-
nicipal," and "in the modes Of Federal
taxation" justifes all the prominence
given to it in the Declaration of the ST.
Louis Convention.
The present depression in all business
and industries of the people, which is de-
priving labor of its employment, and car
rying want into so many homes, has its
principal cause in excessive governmental
consumption. Under the illusions of u
specious prosperity, engendered by the
false policies of the federal government, n
waste of capital has been going on ever
since the peace of 1865, which could only
end in universal disaster.
The federal taxes OF the last eleven years
reach the gigantic sum of $500 millions
Local taxation has amounted to two-thirds
as much more. The vast aggregate is not
less than 1900 millions.
This enormous taxation followed civil
conflict that had greatly impaired our ag
gregate wealth, and had made u prompt
reduction of expenses Indispensable.
1t was aggravated by most unscientiic
and ill-adiustcd methods of taxation that
increased the sacrifices of the people fur
beyond the receipts of the treasury.
1t was aggravated, moreover, by tinan-
cial policy which tended to diminish the
energy, skill and economy of production,
and the frugality of private consumption,
and induced miscalculation in business
and an unremuneratiyc use of capital and
labor.
Even in prosperous times, the daily
wants of industrious communities press
closely upon their daily earnings. The
margin of possible national savings is at
best small percentage of national earn
ings. Yet now for these eleven years gov
ernmcntal consumption has been larger
proportion of tho national earnings than
the whole people can possibly save even in
prosperous times for all new Investments.
The consequence of these errors are now
present public calamity. But they were
never doubtful, never invisible. They were
necessary and invitablc, and were forcscon
and depicted when the waves of that fic-
titious prosperity ran highest. In n speech
made by me on the Gath of September,
1868, it was said of these taxes:
They bear heavily upon every mans income,
upon every industry aud every business in the
| country, and year by year they nre destined to
press still moro heavily, unless VIC arrest the
system that gives rise to them. IL was com.
paratively easy when values were doubling ur.
der repeated issues of legal tender paper money,
to pay out of the froth of our growing and M.
parent wealth, these taxes, but when values re
cedo and sink towards their natural scale the
| taXgathercr takes from us not only our income,
| not only our profits but also portion of our
capital. do not wish to exaggerate
or alarm; l simply say that we cannot afford
the costly and ruinous policy of the Rad
ical majority of Congress. We cannot af-
ford that policy towards the South. We cannot
afford the magnificent and oppressive centralsm
which lie hni
We cannot afford the present magnificent scale
of taxation.
To the Secretary of the Treasury, sad,
early in 1865:
There Is no royal road for government more
than for an individual or corporation. What
you want to do now is to cut down your eXpen.
scs and live within your income. / would give
all the legcrdcmain of finance and ilnanciering
Il would give the whole of it for the old,
homely maxim, "Livc within your income"
This reform will be- resisted ut every
step, but it must be pressed porsistently
We see to-day the immediate representa-
| tives of the people in one branch of Con-
gress, while struggling to reduce expendi-
lures, compelled to confront the menace OF
| the Senate and the Executive that unless
the Objectionable appropriations be con-
| scnted to, the operations of the govern.
mcnt Hereunder shall suffer detriment o,
cease. In my judgment, an amendment Of
the Constitution ought to be devised sepa.
rating into distinct bills the appropriu.
tions for the various departments OF the
public service, and excluding from cacl
bill oil appropriations for other objects
and all independent legislation. In tina,
way alone can the revisory power of eacl
of the two houses and of the Executive be