Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-12-08

sentiment. The proof Of this is the fact tina
on The opening day Of the session bills wer'
introduced to reduce internal revenue taxa
ton, to regulate the civil service, to reduce
letter p stage, to suppress the system v
political assessments on oilice-holdcrs. S)mt
of the things aimed at are reforms whicl
have long been demanded by the people
and at least one is II scandal which ought I,
have lccn abolished long ago. But tha
these bills were introduced 50 caily in the
session is evidence that the members have
arrived at something like just estimation Of
the current OF public sentiment, and have
though tardily enough, come to see lhe ne
&C ssity Of answering the demand OF the pco'
pie for reform legislation. Looking at the
thing from party standpoint, there are some
things that must be don. by Congress n its
present session If the Republicans are TO 80
into The coming Presidential canvass with
any hope OF success. These are, the reduc.
ton Of internal revenue taxation, the reform
of the tariff, the adoption of simple and
straightforward rules for the regulation oil
the civil service, the reduction of letter pos
aye, and the cutting down Of public expenses
to the lowest possible point consistent with
good management.
First in importance and interest is the mat
ter of the reduction of internal revenue tax
alton and the reform of the tariff. On the
former point we have heretofore expressed
our opinion. 1t is u measure absolutely de-
manded by the country and as Senator Ed
| munds has well said, if the Republican Con-
the Democrats are likely TO make capital by
the neglect in the Presidential campaign of
1884, and lnjure the country by the rash and
rcck less changes in the tariff which they will
surely make when once they get control OF
legislation President Arthur in his mes
sage makes strong argument in favor OF the
alrngation of all excise duties save those
upon distilled spirits and his reasoning is
backed and enforced by an almost uni
versal public demand. We sincerely
hope that Congress will satisfactorily
answer the call made upon it, and that the
party can go into the next campaign with a
revision of the tariff is also an urgent need of
tic day. 1t is too much to expect, that with
in the brief life of the present Congrcssa new
and complete system can be adopted; but at
tie very least some of tie glaring ineqnali-
ties and inconsistencies of the present tariff
Can be removed, and its practical working
be made much more satisfactory.
One Of the crying needs OF the day-n-
deed, the matter is second to none in import
ancc is a reform of the civil service The
friends Of the reform have had long and
hald battle to fight, but to-day the present
system has but few defenders among disn-
terested people, and these are apologisis,
rather than defenders; and the educated
public opinion is, ii seems to us, ovcrwhclm-
ngly in favor of reform. A number Of
bills bearing on the subject, have been intro
duccd in Congress, but none of them are
wholly satisfactory. The Pendlcton hill is
too complex and cumbrous other meas
urcs are more or less inadequate. |, ought
to be no very diiiicuit matter 10 frame
bill that would be plain and simple in its
provisions, light and easy-running in its
machinery, and practical and thorough in its
working. But almost anything would be
better than the present SYSTEM and IL we can
not expect anything better give us the Dawes
or The PendIeton blll' In his message frcsi-
dent Arthur iorclbly urges upon Congress
the necessity Of some action upon this sub
jet, and promises thorough and impartial
trial Of whatever measure may be adopted.
Ills practice has not heretofore exactly COIN
cidcd with his prcccpt, We are sorry to say,
bnl his present utterances are apparently sin
ccrc aud it is not 10 he doubted that he
would faithfully carry out his pledges. AS
he very justly aud truthfully says, there has
been an increase of public interest in this
EATER of civil service reform and the people,
without regard to party, "havc in various
ways and upon frequent occasion given ex-
preston to their earnest wish for prompt and
definite action" Such action it would be
crime for Congress to neglect to take The
early introduction of bill looking to that
end is u favorable augury, and We trust that
The result will fulfil 1t.
To keep strict watch over the National
Treasury is another important duty of Con.
gress. The public has set its seal of con.
dcmnation upou the scandalous River and