The New York herald., 1876-11-04

there never has been in modern times system Of
revenue IN any civilized State so nonstrous compli-
Gated and uninteligible, bghting TO industry and
50 productive OF fraud as The system which ior the
last ten years has been and si is IN existence IN the
United States This IS department which. so lar as
have observed republican has any desire TO discuss
very ugly subject, what has been the percentage Of
loss In the disbursement OF the revenues but what has
been the percentage OF loss that has accrued within he
last ten years in thor collection.
In the report civil service reform made by Mr
George William Curtis, that eminent republican
leader indorses the opn.o that full oneiourth OF the
revenues OF tho United States lost in collection.
this be then there has been lost since and IN
cluding 1885, nearly 81 600 600, 600 viii enter
any discussion OF correctness OF this estimate
but viii express the opinion that there has been lost
In frauds In the collection OF the whskey tax, each
and every OF Grants administration, sum
greater than all the losses that have accrued under
every head, under all the Federal administrations Tor
the twenty years prccedant 10 1860.
Mr.. Wells then dlrectod attention to the question OF
how the administration destroyed commerce and
manufacor and illustrated IL by reference TO the
wool industry, declaring that the policy OF successive
republican ADMINISTRATORS has been to prevent this
great industry from enjoying the conditions essential
to its prosperity by imposing duties on the import OF
wool, ranging from Twenty-Five cents to sixty cents
per cent. and under the influence OF sucn tariff with
duties on manufactured goods ranging from 90 10
l5O per ccnt-the highest imposed this coun-
try-cght OF the largest woolien mills OF the United
States have passed. since 1885, hands Of their
original at less than nty per OF their COST
and could not be disposed OF by their purchaser to-day
for anything Ike the price which he PAID LOT
them. Mr. Wells next advcrted to the aosurdties OF
the republican fiscal administration, and humorousy
called attention TO questions considered by The Secre-
tary OF the Treasury, OF which whether ior-
eigu patent parchment with big long seal Was
subject TO duties manufacture OF wax or o leather
Another question was whether old newspapers sent
vouchers from foreign countries TO show ADVERTISE
ments had been inserted were 10 be admitted free OF
duty and In relation TO the capture OF whale Al ST.
Pierre MqucloD. II was held that the resulting OIL was
only partially tho product OF American nsherics anu
the poor fishermen mulc-d accordingly at tho
OF twenty per ad raiorem The consideration
Grafton OF the official robberies committed
the goxe,nmons under ss 81 insls ana
equity. These included notable case which occurred
in this city. where n open day light the books Of one
OF the largest firms oil the country were seizcd
superficial investigation and charges OF the
most shameless character were presented against
It's members. II exacted penalty OF S2Il, 900 ior
detriment 10 the revenue, which the District Attor.
ncy officially certified not in excess OF xl664, and
which Tue treasury oy nj 20
But how shall We, 1t may be asked, provide rom
edyg Ny answer is. first II we can hnd man who
has large knowledge and comprehension of economic
and fiscal AFFAIRS large experience and skill IN Their
practical administration. We had better take him. |
believe have such man in Samuel J. Tden, for |
had abundant opportunity by personal intercourse
for number OF to test the extent Of his mental
resources and capacity while the people large have
had abundant opportunity TO test his executive ability
Wo want man 10 take the lead In extrcating the ma
ton out OF its present financial and commercial dhi.
culties who fully comprehends the principles involved
In mplc matter the buying Of pair OF shoes;
and this Is something that the present Executive and
fiscal policy do not understand. Now, what is true OF
business and Industrial transactions ol individuals
Is true OF the business and industrial transactions Of
the republican party not been able to and act
upon this truth. for the whole fiscal policy which they
havo created, maintained and Endorsed, denies u.
This policy has not said In many words to the
American other producer you shall not
export but has virtually producersin in other
countries you shall import, and IN shutting others
VIC have al the same time, and necessarily shut
ourselves IN And tins more than any other one thing
INV iuhu in tha In tied Int iS
parayzed and trade is stagnant and commerce don't
revive.
A COMPLETE CHANGE OF POLICY NEEDED.
Now want a change In the methods OF transacting
this department OF national business and we have
got have It before shall regain prosperity But
some ask, DO you expect to get this change By
bringing tho democratic party into power readily
than by continuing tho republicans in powerf Ger
tainiy do. Tho republican party. while possessing
full power for the last fifteen years, has shown no
sympathy for commercial freedom IL has done noth-
ing in that direction. has cast out every man from
in respect to trade, commerce, finance civil SER
vice. In view OF the whole record OF the republican
try, 10 the friends OF revenue reform, with whom
heretofore know had some influence, II they had
not better take the chances with Mr. Tilden and the
democratic party; and II chastse eent not the best
way Of making the republican party bond fdc reform
party, appeal to them not to be influenced by the
absurd cry tbat the country is In danger in case Mr
Tiden is elected. The country Is always in danger in
the eyes Of party threatened with the loss of power
and patronage The country is more in danger than
the State Of New York was two years ago when John
A Dix went out Of the Executive chair and
samuel J. Tildcu came In. .u. On the contrary,
will not confess that New York greatly benefited
by the change There is dsnger ahead for the coun
try but hope and believe 1t Is not serious one II
is that tho will rot hold the republican party
TO rigid responsibility for manifold and multiplied
SINS Of omission ana commission; ior 20 conaono n
equivalent TO Offering premium for the continuance
Of permanent bad eovernmsn.; nay more II would
be very nearly equivalent TO making the government
vested interest in the republican party.
Oae word more. Political thunder storms are
wanted from time 10 clear the political atmo
sphere just pherc thunder storms needed
TO clear the terrestrial atmospheric and one OF our
sources OF national trouble is that it is long time
have had such political storm, adequate TO
wash clean tho channels OF federal administration
ME- THAYER's SPEECH
The speakers retirement from the stage was accom-
panied by such demonstration as Is seldom witnessed
at the conclusion Of q political speech. The audience
became wild and tumuituous in their applause, rising
and almost shaking the very walls with their
cheers This uproar continued for several minutes
and only subsded after Mr. Wells twice came forward
to bow his ack acknowledgements.
Mr. Thayer then introduced and greeted with
cheers. he SAID
Whatever delusons may for a time have disturbed
the currents OF public opinion the people recognize
iully the fact that there be reform tine gov
crnmcnt without change in its administration-that
they cannot have the one except through the other
They demand performances, not promises-acts, not
words-practical results, not good resolutions. He re-
ierrca humorousy but caustcaly TO the pcnitential
10 strengthen them in their good resolves by with
drawing them from the occasion OF temptation. GIVE
them so 10 speak said he, sort oil Lenten season.
during which they will have an opportunity for medi-
tation, for abatng something OF their rIotous living,
restraining their extravagance and embracing, IT
not a prayerul, at least thoughtful and sober
lite. This would do them good and save the country
at least sloo. 1000 per annum All parties had
agreed that frugay and economy were necessary
The people had taken up the idea in great earnest
The speaker went to say that one OF the most
tra0rdiuary sights to the people practising all
kinds OF retrcpchment and economy and the govern
ment rcvcug IN tho proceeds oil their robborlcs and
pcculatons. Thus We have the spectacle OF people
saving themselves from In spite Of those supposed
to lead them. 1t Is humiliation, said the speaker
beyond expression that If THIS state OF things
is continued the republican party kept power AMI
the people Of this country ever have chance to live
and prosper, IL will be IN spite OF their government
Let me enforce my argument by statement Of some
interesting facts In able address made by Mr.
DAVID A. Wells al Saratoga carly In September. before
the American Social Science Association (of which,
believe. he "a presidentl, he snys:-"If sumo