Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-05-31
BAYARD AND NrDONALD.
An Eastern Chieftain and a Western
Statesman Speaking Out.
WILMINGTON, DEL, MAY %. 1883.

ILMiNGTON, DEL, May %, 1888.
Joseph Pulitzer, Esq, NelC York:
Inc more important the question the
greater necessity IN dealing with it grave
ly ana Worthily, and anything like finesse
or tne appearance of finesee or trick in
ueallng with such an issue as tariff for
| revenue OF a tariff for the protection of
certain classes of our citizens will greatly
weaken the party resorting to it.
quite independent of the ecOnomy3 TO
the treasury and incidental benefit to
/ American producers and manufacturers
which is tO-be affected bv a higher or low
/ er rate of tariff taxation, is the more pro-
/ found question of political right and
power 10 lay any public burden upon the
entire people for the benefit, profit or
protection of private individuals.
Ii TINS claim be admitted as one fright.
then privileged classes do exist in this
country, and although titles may not be
allOWed by the Constitution, yet all the
advantages and privileges of rank willIbe
obtained without the name.
Il know OfnO position more impregna-
pie, and upon which it is more important
for the Democratic party to form its
lines, than that public property cannot
be taken for private use under any pre-
text.
The Constitution of the United States
and of every one of the States so united
provides for the taking of private prom
erty for public use only upon the rendi-
tlon OF 'JuSt compensation to the owner
Dtlt nowhere IN this country, and nowhere
where free institutions have recognition
can the sovereign power take public prop
erty tor private use, or the private prop
erty OF A to be bestowed upon b with or
without compensation.
The only ground upon which any indi-
yldual can be deprived of his property is
to benefit the community, and whenever
such an eXlgency arises he must (under
our guarantees) be first Justly compen-
sated.
The form of the exaction is immaterial
as much so as the place-and a tax col
lected in the interior, or at a mans resi-
dence, or at the seaport of entry and I'M
der a tarlh law-an excise or a direct tax
law-it is all the same, and to be Justified
must be IN the name and for the use of the
Government of the United States.
With this principle once laid down. the
rate of taxation will be easily measured
by the public eXigencies, and such n
spectacle as was witnessed at the last
session of COngress-Of a handful of men
representing private interests and con-
trolling and moulding public laws of taxa
tiOn to suit those interests-will never
again be tolerated by honest public senti-
ment.
The excise system can be so arranged.
am sure, as to do away with the army
of spies and agents, and the detestable
lnquisition practiced under present laws.
A tax upon the ascertained capacity of a
still can be substituted for the host of
political storekeepers and gaugers and
armed marshals who now constitute the
chief power Of the Radical party in many
States. Aud a sensible reduction of the |
rate OF tax to a true revenue point would |
accomplish a vast reform and give great |
relief.
L am convinced of the serious neces-
sIty for change in our civil service sys- |
tenn OF removals and appointments.
The tree will grow and bearits natural |
fruits, and if we continue to make mems |
salaries and means of living dependent |
solely upon the caprice and favor of the |
Executive branch we will see such men |
in high office as suit the office-holding |
class and not the people, or their interest |
or honor. Yours sincerely,
L