The New York herald., 1879-07-12
Democratic pro.psets in Ohio.


They will be wise if they strike out the
word "almost." Mr.. Foster, when he was
here the other day, was inclined to fight a
little shy of the currency questions,
though even he admitted to HERALD re-
porter their overwhelming Importance.
When he remarked that Mr.. Hayes policy
had been failure he probably desired only
to conciliate the stalwarts in his State; but
he will scarcely venture into the canvass on
this slippery ground of abusing the repub-
lican administration. 1t would be very
silly thing to do.
The Ohio republicans will hardly 60 be-
fore the people advocating "troops at the
Prison birds as republican canvassers IN
the shape Of elections marshals. They Will
be very apt to let these questions rest for
this year at least. They cannot make much
of the solid South and the bloody shirt,
partly because the people begin to see that
there is nothing in these cries, and partly
because the republican leaders want to
reserve this issue for the Presidential year.
There remains, therefore, only the fnan-
cial question, and We hope to see this fully
and intelligently discussed this fall in Ohio
by such men as Secretaries Sherman and
Schurz and General Garfield.
The democratic ground on these ques-
tions is not in doubt. The Ohio democrats
nominated General Ewing because he be-
lieved in something; because he alone of
all the democratic leaders in the State
had put forth definite financial policy
or programme. Senator Thurman is on
the fence Mr.. Frank Hurd is hard
money man Mr.. MacMahon, though agree
ing with General Ewing, is more con-
spicuously known for his course on strictly
political than on financial questions, and
the Ohio democratic ticket was evidently
framed with distinct purpose to put
political questions nside and make the
financial programme the single question in
the canvass. The democrats have shrewdly
prevented republican ''war" cries by taking
both their candidates from the ranks of
those VINO fought, and fought creditably, in
the war for the Union.
Here, then, are the three points of the
programme which the republicans must
meet, combat and overthrow before the
people this summer and fall. The demo-
Gratis, in the person of General Ewing, de-
mand:-
/. Thesubstitution of ofirredeemable green
backs Tor national bank notes, these green
backs ''to be receivable for all debts and
dues, public and private, not specifically
payable in other money"
q The free and unlimited coinage of the
present silver dollar, which coin also is to
be ga legal tender for all debts and dues.
public and private, except where otherwise
provided by contract. :"
g. Finally, the imposition of ''gradu-
ated" income tax
On all three of these points the republi-
cans take issue with their opponents. They
believe that the national bank circulation
is better, because more elastic and less liza
BILE to partisan political abuse than the
greenback or government paper circulation,
and moreover, that as it is not legal
tender it is preferable on that account.
They believe that the coinage Of the present
silver dollar ought to be suspended, and
that until We can come to an agreement
with the principal European nations con-
cerning the use of silver and it's ratio to
gold, silver ought to be used with US only
as subsidiary coin, with limited coinage,
the profits to go to the Treasury.
Finally, they hold that it is not necessary
to levy an income tax now, in time of peace,
and with sufficient revenue to meet the
expenditures that this tax is inquisitorial,
and therefore hateful that it bears un-
equally and is therefore unwise, except in
such emergencies as great war; and that
to revive it would necessitate large in
crease in the number of tax collectors,
which is inexpedient. On all these points
they are so clearly in the right that they
need, in our belief, only to make bold,
positive canvass in order to carry the State,
and we are glad to notice that the Cincin-
republicans in the State, has placed at the
head of its columns Senator Chandler's Wig
orous denunciation of the eighty-fve cent
dollar, and has begun to expose the folly
and wrong OF a free coinage OF silver bull
ion for the profit Of the owners. We ad-
wise the republicans to stop oil abuse of the
administration, and all foolish talk about
Mr.. Hayes policy being failure, and unite
in demonstrating to the people the wrong
and folly of the democratic financial pro-
gramme.
Former experiences ought to convince
them of the wisdom OF a bold course on the
currency issues, as well as Of the danger of
playing fast and loose with these questions.
In 1876 they nominated Mr.. Hayes, who
forced the fighting OH the currency ques-
tions entirely, and with the help OF Mr..
Schurz, General Garfield and General
Woodford carried the State on that
issue by handsome majority. In 1877
they nominated West, silly creature, who
opened the canvass with a ponsenscal