The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-12
SPIRIT OF THE PRESS.

SPIRIT UF THE PRESS.
The English PAPERS Of This Morning.
The Commercial says: The Volksblatt is
not of opinion that Mr.. Washburne, of
Illinois, would, as the Republican candi-
date for the Presidency, carry more votes
than any other man who could be noni-
mated. 1t says this theory is extremely
fallaci0us; and it is the opinion Of the
Volksblatt that a candidate who is di-
rectly identified with the present struggle
for a sound currency, would, especially
among the Germans.-The great credit
which Secretary Sherman has earned by the
funding of the National debt at low rate
of interest, and the steps he took for re-
sumption, give him just at this moment the
most prominent position among the ri
walls of General Grant-The Democrats
in the Maine Legislature, it
is limited, will attempt to force the
attendance of Hale and Young to-day,
in order to make quorum, with the OBJ
ject in view of going through the formali-
ties of electing Governor and Council.
MIR. James D. Lamson, President of the
Senate, has decided t, temporarily assume
the duties Of Governor. and will officially
notify the Senate of his decision to-day
The exports of silver during the present
year to Japan. China, India the
Straits. &C.. have been as follows:
From Southampton, $50, 900, 600; Marseilles
and Venice, SIS, 100000; San Francisco,
IS, 100000. Total, $46,O0O,00O, as against
$39, VOC, 900 from the same places in 1875
The general reduction of rents in Ireland,
which appears to be going on, will 60 far to
quiet the present agitation, provided the
landlords do not too sharply press the
process of eviction. The important point
is to put down the rents, so that the far
mers may have fair surplus after rents are
paid, rs reward for their labors. They
can no more be expected to be contented
under system that impoverishes them,
than the blacks of the South who, after
years of experiment.. are organizing to mi
crate to States where the chances of getting
on in the world are more promising.
| The Gazette says: And now comes COM
pany proposing to furnish steam to private
! parties, and it is authorized to use the
streets for its pipes without charge. Every
street used to put in the pipes will be dam
aged, and every time the pavement is brok-
ell to make connection the street will be
damaged. While every industry, every
foot of real estate, and even the clothes
people wear, and their household furniture
are taxed, corporations should not be per-
mitted to use the streets, and obstruct and
partially destroy them at that, free of cost.
1t is hardly necessary to say that heavy
taxes serve to keep out capital and
depress industries. Therefore. indirect
taxes ought to BE- multiplied in Or
der that direct taxes upon vital indus
tries may be diminished. Without op-
pressing anybody unjustlv, without hurt
ing any legitimate business, but with great
benefit to the city at large, one-fourth OF
the tax burden might be laid upon parties
that it does not toucl, at present. There
are, for example, 5000 saloons in this city,
the natural aud inevitable results of which
are heavy cost to the city, that virtually
pay no municipal taxes. Are these more
sacred than our workshops? And yet no
workshop, however humble or however use
full, escapes the grasp of the tax-gatherer.
1t is high time the Ohio Legislature turned
its attention to our taxSsystem. We know
OF nothing that needs reorganization worse
than that.-To elect President in 1880, on
our side. will, as we view it from the stand.
point OF the present, require the united
strength of the party, and the aim should
be to have the party in condition to be
united. There are a great many candi-
dates in the field and Republican
voters have their preferences, and
they are entitled to this privilege. They
certainly will take advantage Of this
privilege, and 1t is bad policy to abuse
them for exercising it. They manifestly
will not be deferred by abuse, nor will
they be converted in that way. They will
not stand bulld"zing. The Republican
party is not made up OF that kind of ma
terial. The Democratic Fusion party in
Maine, by violating law to annnl the cleo
tions OF the people; by attempting to fab.
rcate Legislature against the law and the
peoples elections; by submitting its acts
to the Supreme Court, which pronounced
them illegal, and then defying its decision,
reduced the State to q condition in which
it has no legal government. In this situa-
ton General of Militia assumed the duty
to protect the commonwealth. This is the
most recent demonstration by the Demo
cratic party of its fitness to take control oi
the government of the country. Lamson,
President of the Senate, now assumes the
Governorship pro tenn. s,.
The Enquirer says: Maine has no Gov.
ernor and no Councilcand whether or not
there is quarum in the House of Repre-
sentatves is question under debate. The
system of government In Maine Is peculiar.
A plurality vote does not elect the Govern
or. If no man receives majority of all
the votes returned, there Is no election by
the people. The election Of, the Gov
erner then goes to the Legislature, and
that is the situation in Maine in this re.
spect to-day. The people failed to elect. q
Governor, and the Legislature must elect
him. But the Legislature does not
elect Governor as it elects a United States
Senator-by q vote of both branches. sepa.
rately or together The House nominates
and the Senate elects the Governor Of Maine
if the people do not elect him. II no per
son shall have . majority Of votes for the
Governorship the House Of Representatives
shall, by ballot. from the persons having
the four highest number Of votes on The
list, if so many there be, elect two persons
and make return of their nsmes to tile Sen
ato, OF whom the Senate shall, by ballot
elect one, who shall be declared The
Governor. This Is ths command Of the