The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-08-31
More of the ''Reformer."

More of the "Reformer."
The recent exposure of the perfidy OF Gov
ridden in the matter of his income fax, AS CIV
en- in extracts from our exchanges published
to-day, is one of the most painful and humilia-
ting transactions that has ever illustrated the
political history of the country. 1t is true, that
a man who could deliberately attempt to palm
off Il falsehood upon the people. in the state
ment that he had reduced the taxes OF New
York S, 100000 in one year, and claim it as
the result of "system of economy he had
instituted, when he knew it to be deception
at the time he made it, might reasonable be
regarded as, capable of committing any other
fraud to promote his selfish ends. He was
perfectly aware that the reduced taxes Of 1876
in New York, was owing to the fact that the
debts of the State had been paid by his Repub-
lican predecessor, Gov. Dix, and as there were
no obligations to meet, the taxes necessarily
had to be diminished. Gov. Dix had restored
the sinking fund which his Democratic prede-
ccssors had appropriated for other purposes,
and had paid off the debts Of the State, leaving
for Gov. Tilden's administration nothing, conf
parativcly, to provide for, but the current ex-
penses All the reduction of taxes, in 1876,
therefore, was due to the economy and finan-
cial policy of tho Republican Governor and
Legislature.
The unblushing deception attempted to be
practiced upon the people by Gov. Tilden in
this case, had prepared the popular mind to
believe almost anything that might be charged
against him with reasonable proof to sustain it.
He was here guilty OF stating deliberate false
hood, in order to establish his claim to being
considered 'tgreat rcforner,' aid public
officer who could thus brazenly attempt to de-
ceive the people, would be capable OF almost
any other political crime.
The exposure of This pretended economy and
administrative reform, prepared the public to
believe, scarcely without question, far more
serious and damning offense.
The articles we publish to-day, holding up be-
fore the public gaze Gov. Tilden as a pcrjurer
and defrander OF the Government, only go to
show the character OF the man that has been
presented by the Democratic party as the lead
err in the Democratic reform movement. AT
time when the National authority was assailed,
and eleven States of the Union were arrayed in
armed resistance to that authority, and every
energy and resource was strained for the de-
tense of the integrity of the Union, Mr.. Tiiden
deliberately made false return Of his income
to avoid paying lawful tax. Whether, in
perpetrating an act of perjury he was controil-
ed by sordid love of money, or purpose to
cripple the Government, so far as in him lie
to do so. the criminality of his conduct is
equally transparent.
1t is clearly established that his net proved
income in 1862, was $3l, AIS, yet he took an
oath that it was only 81, lis, thus fraudulently
concealing an income of $24, $50! The charge
has been before the public for more than
week, ard no explanation that is worthy the
name has been offered. lie stands branded as
a pcriurer, with no circumstance of mitigation.
no technicality in justification.
It is this man the Democratic party has pre-
sented as the great Reformer OF the age, and
the leader of the all pervading reform movement,
which is to purify Governmenr, install honesty
and economy, and bring back administration
to the pristine purity of the fathers!
In the light of this development, the convic-
zion is forced upon the popular mind, that all
that has been charged against Mr.. Tilden Of
completely with Tweed and Tammany in their
robberies is true. A man who could cody and
calmly take an oath that his net income was
$7,1ls, when he knew it was at least s3l. 44S,
cannot escape. upon his simple word OF denial,
from the criminal completely that is alleged by
Democratic authority to have existed between
him and Tweed, when Tweed was stealing the
money of the people of New York by the mil
lions
With the accumulated and undisputed evi-
lencc of Mr.. Tilden's utter unfitness for the po-
sition in which he stands rs Presidential can
didate, iJ would seem that there is no other
alternative left his party but to demand his
withdrawal The moral sense of the country
is not SO bunted that it will tolerate such turp.
itude in high places, and allow the necessities
OF party to subordinate all the higher demands
OF National character and pride. The awaken
ed conscience of the people will meet the issue
If the party leaders do not, and record a verdict
at the ballot box that will forever set to rest
the claims of Mr.. Tilden and the Democratic
party as peculiarly the performers" of the age.
Will the poor people of Virginia bear in mind
that there were 100000 to the credit of the
Public School fuad, sacredly guarded by the
Constitution and Statute law for the public
free school of the State, and that the Board. OF
Education, in violation of fundamental and
Statute law, robbed the school of this amount
and perverted it to the payment OF the accrued
and accruing interest on the State bonds, in
order to satisfy the bondholders, without in
creasing the rate of taxation. This Was sub
stantially taking flom the poor children OF the
State the means OF education, that the property
OF the State might escape its legitimate bur-
dens. This crime against law and the rights
of the people, was committed by the Governor :,
Auditor and Attorney General Of the State, an d
not one word of remonstance has been heard
from the Democratic press of the State. With
this instance Illustrative of the disposition OF the
leaders of the Democratic party toward the
Public Schools, is it not time that the people
whose children are the benefcaries of the