St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1884-07-24

ur opponents Insist upon Il REVISION,
which practically destroys that policy.
The issue is thus distinct, we'll defined
md unavoidable. The pending cleo
ion may determine the fate of protec-
ion for a generation. The overthrow
If the policy means large and perma-
lent reduction in the wages of the
American laborer, besides involving
he loss of vast amounts of American
capital invested in manufacturing ell
5erprises. The value of the present
revenue system to the United States
is not matter of theory, and shall
submit no argument to sustain it. |
only invite attention to certain facts of
official record which seems to cOnsti |
tute a demonstration.
In the census of 1850 an effort was |
made for the first time in our history,
to obtain a valuation of all the property |
in the United States. The attempt
was in a large degree unsuccessful.
Partly from lack of time, partly from
prejudice among many who thought
the inquiries fOreshadOwed new
scheme of taxation, the returns were
incomplete and unsatisfactory. Little
more was done than to consolidate the
local valuation used in the states for
purposes of assessment and that, as
everyone knows, differs widely from a
complete exhibit of all the property.
In the census of 1860, however, the
work was done with great thorough
ness-the distinction between "assess-
ed" value and "true" value being
carefully observed. The grand result
was that the "true value" of all the
- NAr it.,r1 nk,
ciRiiing slaves) amounted to four
feeH tIsausand millions of dollars (Sl4,-
Htfi1, 000.ODO.) This aggregate was the
net result of the labor and the savings
0{ all tie people within the area of the
United States from the time the first
British cOlOnist landed in 1907 down to
the year 1860. 1t represented the fruit
of two hundred and fifty years.
After 1860 the business of the cOun-
try was encouraged and developed by
protective tariff. At the end of
twenty years the total property of the
United States, as returned by the
census of 1880, amounted to the enOr
nous aggregate of forty four thousand
millions of dollars ($44 zoo, 900, 0O0.)
| This great result was attained, not
withstanding the fact that countless
millions had in the interval been wasted
in the progress of a bloody war. 1t
thus appears that while our population
between 1860 and 1880 increased 60
per cent, the aggregate property of the
country increased two hundred and
fourteen per cent-shOwing a vastly
enhanced wealth per capita among the
people. Thirty thousand millions OF
dollars (S3O,0O0, 000,O00 had been
added during these twenty years to the
permanent wealth of the nation.
These results are regarded by the
older nations of the world as phenom-
email. That our country should sur
mount the peril and cost of a gigantic
war and for an entire period of twenty
years made an average gain to its
wealth of one hundred and twenty five
million dollars per month surpasses
the experience of all other nations
ancient or modern. Even the OppO
nents of the present revenue system
do not pretend that in the whole his
tory of civilization any parallel can bt
found to the material progress of the
United States since the accession of til,
republican party to power.
Il The period between 1860 and to-day
has not been one of material prosperity
only. At no time in the history of tn,
United States has there been sucl
progress in the moral and philanthropi'
field. Religious and charitable insti
buttons, schools, seminaries and col
leges have been founded and endOwe,
far more generously than at any pre-
rLion5 t;nedrI eneh idttS"'U uuIf "e2 ttenael
to human suffering and the entir,
progress of the country in wealth ha,
been accompanied and dignitied by
broadening and elevation of our ma
tlonal character as IA people.
4 Oar opponents find fault that on
revenue system produces a surplus
But they should not forget that tn,
law has given specific purpose t,
which all surplus is profitably ant
honOrably applied-the reduction o
the public debt and the consequent
relief of the burden of taxation. n,
dollar has been wasted, and the only
extravaganza with which the party
stand charged is the generous pension
ing of soldiers, sailors and their fami
hes-an extravaganza which embodies
the highest form of justice in the
recognition and payment Of a sacred
debt. When reduction of taxation is
to be made, the republican party cal
be trusted to accomplish it in such
form as will most effectively aid the
industries of the nation.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The general character of the civil
service of the United States under all
administrations has been honorable
| I'm the tha
and disbursement of revenue-the
record of fidelity has never been sur
passed in any nation. With the almost
fabulous sums which were received and
paid during the late war, scrupulous
integrity was the prevailing rule.
Indeed, throughout that trying period,
it can be said to the honor of the
American name, that unfaithfulness
and dishonesty among civil officers
were as rare as misconduct and coward
ice on the field of battle.
The growth of the country has con-
tinually and necessarily enlarged the
civil service, until now it includes a
vast body of officers. Rules and methods
of appointment which prevailed when
the number was smaller have been
found insufficient and impracticable,
and earnest efforts have been made to
separate the great mass of ministerial
officers from partisan influence and
personal control. Impartiality in the
mode of appointment to be based on
qualification, and security of tenure to
be based on faithful discharge of duty
are the two ends to be accomplished.
The public business will be aided by
separating the Legislative branch of
the government from all control of ap-
pointments and the executive depart
ment will be relieved by subjecting
appointments to fixed rules and thus
removing them from the caprice of
favoritism. But there should be rigid
E Il l. Il