The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-11-21
CONGRESS.

ton. and the concurrent action Of both
houses and the President will be required
to repeal them, they occupy the van
tage ground. This, however, does not
relieve the Democrats from their obiiga-
ton to use their best endeayors to carry
ont the reforms to which they are sol
emnly pledged. They should do the
very best they are able, and If they are
thwarted by peryerse majority In the
Senate and a partizan President, the
fault will not be theirs.
One of the objects they are pledged
to accomplish is Revenue Reform. They
are pledged to abolish useless expendi-
lures and to equalize taxation. The
present Tariff produces from fifty TO one
hundred millions more money than is
needed to defray the expenses of the
government. It should be reduced to
strictly revenue standard, with due re-
gard, however, TO the maintenance of
the public faith and the extinguishment
of the public debt as fast as it becomes
payable.
The Internal tax ON spirits and tobacco
should be continued, but a great saving
can be accomplished by the abolition of
the present costly method of collect
ing it.
The Southern Representatives will
not be blameless If they refuse to sup
port a measure to extend educational
facilities to the States in proportion to
iIliteracy. The virtue and intelligence
of the people, are the basis of wise and
enlightened government, If it be founded
on their will. The federal governments
without preparation, deyOlved upon an
ignorant race the responsibilities of self
government; and thus increased the
obligation which rests upon it to aid the
States Of which they are inhabitants to
equip them for the duties OF citizenship,
but in discharging this obligation it
should be done impartially and without
reference to race or section, as all are
involved in a common fate.
The improvement of the navigation
of the Mississippi River should be dealt
with as a great national object, and for
tunately Congress will have for its guide
the results of the Investigations of the
River Commission, composed OF able and
practical men who have devoted ardu-
GUS labor In arriving AT their conclu-
sions
The popular demand for Il Depart
ment Of Agriculture should no longer
be disregarded.
Several years ago bill was passed
the lower House, controlling the ship
ments OF freights on lines passing
through two or more States. II was de-
feated through the Vaccinations of the
corporations, in the Senate. From that
time to this all the efforts of is friends
have been bafled by the power they
have been enabled to WELD, though its
necessity, in consequence of the growth
of corporate wealth and influence, has
become more.and more apparent. Doubt
less the effort in that direction will be
renewed at the approaching session.
The federal election laws are oppres-
siye and unconstitutional, and have been
the convenient instrument of interior
ing with the freedom of elections. The
motion to repeal them, however, should
not be connected with any such revOlu-
tionary condition as cutting off APP
preparations for the support Of tho gov
eminent.
For many reasons the salaries OF
United States District Attorneys ought
to be definitely fixed, and the fee system
abolished.
Above all things, the civil service
should be reformed. The Augean stable
must be cleaned of its foul impurities. |
Another subject which has been thrust
before Congress by the Administration
for its consideration, is the suspension
of the silver coinage of 1878. From the
foundation of the government until 1873,
gold and silver were equally legal tender
for the payment of all debts, national
and individual. During period of five
years, from 1873 to 1878, silver was de-
In 1878 law was passed
not less than two nor more
than four millions month to be coined,
and the silver dollar was made "a legal
tender, but the party in power has dis
honored it by refusing to use it in pay
ment of the principal and interest of
the bonds issued by the government.
Not content with his arbitrary conduct
they now propose to go further and stop
ts coinage entirely, Notwithstanding its
value as part of the none
AIRY system of the country. A proper
hing for Congress to do viii be to re-
ect this proposition. And in this con-
lection we will ask, would it not be a
ust thing for Congress to redeem its
pledge of 1859 to pay the public debt
n coin, meaning silver, as well as goldG
To all these ends. the Democrats
hould make the issue sharp and distinct
nd ii, from the causes above mentioned,
hey cannot succeed in their Well-meant
inns, they can safely appeal TO the peo-
lie in the Presidential election of 1884.