Northern Ohio journal. [volume] (Painesville, Ohio) 1872-1896, 1880-06-05
JUDGE DAVIS REPLY,

II. C., J
Ny DEAR SIR: have had the pleasure to
receive your letter of the 9th inst As con-
stituent, a friend and an hOnored citizen of
Illinois, you have a perfect right to ask for
my views on public questions, and have no
hesitation in expressing them, taking the in
QuirieS in the order presented.
Peace to the Union-Permanent prosperity
and fraternal fellowship are only to be at
tanned by silencing sectional strife. faith,
full adherence to the Constitution and all
amendments, strict observance of laws in con-
formity Herewith, and equal rights and equal
the Republic will soon end the discoris that
have too long veXed the country and injured
its material welfare. The people are weary of
Centralization-The Constitution wisely de-
fines the respective limits of Federal and State
Governments under happy and harmonious
system wherein each is independent in its ap-
prOpriate sphere, and both operate concur
rently to protect the integrity and stability of
the Union. Any encroachment on the dis
tinctive domain of the other necessarily dislo-
Gates the machinery of the Constitution and
fact, every departure from the great charter
of liberty and law is attended with peril. The
ereaa partes .s9 stronr means
substantially a centralized Government, de-
structive of home-rule in the States and the
scribeo as Government ''of the people. by
the people, and for the people" Carried to
its logical conclusion, such change would
finally overthrow the Republic.
The third term-An innovation upon Sancti-
ed traditions n 1 OF the Presdendy re rst estab
gently demanded by a powerful interest in the
Republican party. If the limitation, of two
strOyed, the way to selt-perpetuating Pres-
dency will be opened by the use and abuse of
barrier, and an end of experiment of republi-
can government looms up darkly as the cost
of fatal concession.
Great corporations-The rapid growth of
corporate powers and the malign influence
which it exerts by combinations on National
and State Legislatures is a wellgrounded
A
the near future between this overgrown
power, with its vast ramifications all over the
Union, and a hard grip much of the politi-
cal machinery on one hand, and the people in
an unorganized condition on the other, for
by every patriot ith intense anxiety.
Civil service-Neither laws nor commissions
the many and glariDg abuses OF Civil Service.
The former have been constantly evaded, and
the latter are powerless for good. An honest
Executive, bent on real and not simulated re-
form, has abundant authority to make it
effective everywhere, if he has the capacity to
IS SUBSIDIES lbs dies M % / has @ demonstrated N
that subsidies in any form are sources of cor
ruption and ought to be forbidden Private
islation procured by venal agencies do not de-
serve public favor:
cipal and interest, have been voted by Con-
gress to railroad corporations. The remaining
land should l. be 3 sacredly reserved ser for the cui-
shall have chance to improve his condition,
and to open the future for his children away
Revision of tariff-Tarif practically means
taxation, and all taxation not equitably
l pm6e debt the pen
sions earned with the blood of soldiers
and sailors who fought Tor the Union,
and the regular expenses of carrying on the
Government are to be met, the duties on inn
ports must continue to furnish one of the
are levied manufacturers will be benefited ac.
cOrding to the degree In which duties may be
distributed. The existing tariff is regarded as a
lies, created by special ps legislation and open
aesees aeedsd by esBee'al sBRe aolng masses
and the salt Of the nottingham, with gross
injustice, because the poor pretense of rev.
weS be at
searching and fair, is demanded, and should
be promptly and efficiently made.
The public debt-The debt of the United
States in round numbers is $1,000, 900, 600, de
Quoting boarded coin in the Treasury. The
These are appalling figures The rapid extinc-
ton of this debt is to be desired, first, because
it diminishes the present burden, and for the
National debt is to create preferred class to
live on incomes and free from taxes under our
ment at home and abroad. they would con-
tribute nothing to its support.
between the Executive and Congress, to re-
w
duce public expenditures many millions an
nually, without impairing the efliciency of the
public service. Retrenchment is needed for
the reduction of taxes, but it is also needed
because, properly administered, it would
become a potent factor in reforming Civil
Service.
Elections - The ballot-box should be the
safeguard of the Republic, for it is intended
TO express the free will of a free people: There
fore elections ought to be exempt from the
presence of any menacing force, and to be
free from the contamination OF corrupt he
o-1c MOI fy RI q
that seeks ascendency by striking down hon
est suffrage. either by the use Of troops by
proper for me to express any opinion upon
measures pending or proposed in Congress-
My votes will speak for themselves at the fit
ting time.
Having thus freely answered your inquiries,
may add, in conclusion, that my support will
be cheerfully given to any candidate for Presi-
dent who in good faith will strive to carry out
this general line of policy, which, in my judg-
ment, is of far more importance than the am
bition of any man even the success of any
party. As ever, your friend,
DAVID DAVIS.
The Hon. O. H. Browning, Quincy, Ill.