The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-05-25

many and glaring abuses Of the civil ser
vice. The former have been constantly
evaded. and the latter are powerless for
good. An honest executive, bent On real
and not simulated reform. has abundant
authority to make it effective everywhere,
if he has the capacity TO see his duty and
the courage to perform it.
SUBSIDIES.
Experience has demonstrated that sub
sides in any form are sources of corrup-
ton. and ought to be forbidden. Private
enterprises that depend for success upon
legislation procured by venal agencies do
not deserve public favor.
PUBLIC LANDS.
More than hundred and fifty millions
of acres of valuable land, more than
hundred millions of dollars, principal and
interest. have been voted by congress to
railroad corporations. The remaining
lands should be sacredly reserved for cul-
tivators of the soil, so that the laboflng
man shall have a chance to Improve his
condition. and to open up future tor his
children away from the seductions OF the
great cities.
~ REVISION OF THE TARIFF.
Tariff practically means taxation. aud
all taxation not equitably adjusted. is
odious. W bile the interest on an oppres-
sive public debt; the pensions earned with
the blood of soldiers aud sailors who
fought for the union; and the regular
expenses of carrying on the government,
are to be met, duties on imports must
continue TO furnish one OF the sources OF
revenue. So long as those duties are
l. - e Aa
according to the degree or the mode in
which the duties may be distributed.
The existing tariff is regarded as con-
fused mass of incongruities and mouopo~
lies, created by special legislation, and
open to constant frauds on the revenue. 1t
taxes the consumer heavily. on those
articles especially that are most needed
by the toiling masses. Il taxes every
newspaper, every school book, every bible,
and the salt of the vorkingmen, with
gross Injustice. because the poor pretence
of revenue does not exist to cover the
wrong a revision, therefore, which shall
be at once searching and fair. is demand
ed, and should be promptly and efficiently
made.
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
The debt of the United States, in round
numbers. is two Thousand millions. deduct
ing the boarded coin in the treasury, The
interest on it last year was over one humid
red millions. These are appalling figures.
The rapid extinction of this debt is TO
be desired, first, because it would diminish
present burdens, and for the additional
reason that one of the effects of a perman
eut national debt is TO create a preferred
class, to live on incomes. and free from
taxes, under our laws. Having the pro-
lection of the government at home and
abroad, they would contribute nothing to
its support.
ECONOMY.
it is practicable by cooperation between
the executive and congress to reduce the
public expenditures many millions annual
~, without impairing the efficiency of the
public service. Retrenchment is needed
for the reduction of taxes, but it is also
needed because, properly administered, it
would become potent factor IN reforming
the civil service.
ELECTIONS,
The balIot-box should be the safeguard
oil. the republic, for it is intended to express
the free will of tree people. Therefore.
elections ought to be exempt from the
presence of any menaeiDg force, and to be
free sfrom the contamination of corrupt
returning boards. No party deserves
confidence that seeks ascendency by strik~
ing down honest suffrage, either by the
use of the troops, by fraud, or by intimi-
dation.
It would not be proper for me tO'express
any opinion upon measures pending, or
proposed, IN congress, My votes Wi II
speak for themselves at the fitting time.
Having thus freely answered your in
quiries, may add, in conclusion, that my
support will be cheertuiIy given to any
candidate for president who. in good faith
will strive to carry out this general line of
policy, which, 10 my judgment. is of far
more importance than the am bition of any
man. or even than the success of any
party. As ever. your friend.
DAVID DAVIS
Hon, 0, H. BROWNING, Quincy, LII.
The patriotic utterances contained In
the letter of the able senator, will not soon
be forgotten by the people who are long
ing for an administration of the COVERT
ment upon the broad foundation of uni
versai liberty and sound Democratic prin
ciples such as he upholds. The Cincinnati
convention viii act wisely and render the
success of the Democracy certain, if Sen
ator David Davis be chosen to lead the
party in the great contest now at hand,
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