The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-01-12
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER,
WASHINGTON. D. c., Dec. 20, 1877

1t is odd that all comment on Mr..
VIM. f. Chandeliers political letter of
the other day is nniavorabIe. 1t
seems to be a document disagrccable
equally to Democrats and Republic
ans. Some Of the "leadiny' papers
abuse Chandelier, some say the letter
is weak, some that it is only a repc-
tition of what others have said, some
that it is able but malicious. But all
of Ihcm say something about it. The
truth seem to be that it is Il very
strong statement of what everybody
believes or suspects that Mr.. Hayes
bargaincd his way into the White
House. 1t is not only a strong state
ment, as any from Chandler would
be, but it is convincing. 1t will in
evitably receive 4 great circulation,
and despite what the papers may say,
will be very influential in shaping
Republican party action in the next
year. If the radicals needed any.
thing in organizing an opposition to
the administration, it was such a
statement as Chandler has made. 1t
is full of things that will be quoted
in every New England grocery, work
shop and hotel for u long time to
come.
But whether the Republican party
goes to pieces on Chandler, or on
more generally known gentlemen,
like Blaine and Conkling and Ham
lin, who feel as Chandler does but
who do not express themselves so
plainly, is of little consequence--to a
certainty is in pieces. The purpose
of all the leaders is to drive Hayes
iato the democratic party. Unless lie
has extraordinary shrcwduess he will
soon be without support of any ac-
count among Republicans. He has
utterly failed to create Il new party
Upon Democrats III Congress-, par
ticularly those in the Senate, falls a
great responsibility in dealing with
circumstances as they exist. The
plain and honest way would seem to
he to let Mr.. Hayes settle his own
quarrels, but some Democrats show &
disposition to take sides. 1t is not
our quarrel. Whether Hayes kill
Coukliug and. Blaine, or they kill
him, either way works to our advan.
tage.
The forthcoming debt statement, Il
is announced, will show an increase
instead of the usual reduction, fol-
the month of December. For Sccre
tary Sherman to show a reduction
larger than his predecessors had done
has been no uncommon thing. Hi!
confession that he cannot show any
reduction is significant. | do no
know what reasons will be assigned
beyond the one given in the Associ
ated Press dispatches, that payment
to the army have been unusually large
for the month past. But the Secre
tary's monthly statements are not re-
liable. l am not prepared to sa!
there has been II" real decrease of thu
debt since March, when he tool
charge of the Treasury, but well in
formed men are saying it daily. HI
is not reporting the correct amour
of the debt. look with much in
terest for the action of Senator Davis
special committee, which is empow.
cred to inquire into the whole sub
ject.
Lately, when it was suggested tia
the income tax might he revived
there was a general expression of op
position by the press. 1t appear
now, however, that the subject ha
already been talked over in a quie
way among Congressman, and tina
the imposition of the tax is not un
likely. In theory this is the mos
equitable mode of taxation possible
In practice it was found not to be
success. The amount realized fror
it was insignificant, aud the perjur!
which was necessary to keep tn
amount 50 small was amazing.
the tax is to be restored, it shout
be with added safeguards against an
evasions of payment OF what is &C
tually due. In other countries
Great Britain, for instance il
come tax has long been one of tn
means of raising revenue, and not tn
least popular one.
ALBION.