Year: 1877




lsnguishins for tho want of speedy and ell |
Client relief


We had hoped that on the questions of
finance this Administration would show a
becoming and opportune sympathy with
the people and their interests, but in this
we are sadly disappointed. We had reason
to expect that some prospect Of relief would
be held up to view, but no hope is now JUS
titled in that direction. The money power
in the hands Of the bond holder and specu-
fator is tho presiding genius Of the hour,
and the suffering interests of business find
no ray Of hope emerging from the utteranccs
of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.


While the gold of the country is entirely
withdrawn from circulation and boarded in
the vaults of the national Treasury and
banks, and while the showing Of that re-
tircment does not flatter the hope Of sue
cessfnl resumption ut the period named by
law, some thirteen months ahead, the door
is rudely slammed in the face of those who
had hoped for additional means in the aid
of resumption through the rcmonetizing of
silver and consequent increase in the vol
ume OF our coin lactor in finance. The
Secretary appears TO have put himself in
full sympathy with that power which profits
from u contraction of our currency and
delay in resumption. If no time had been
named in the law for resumption, and that
problem had been left TO work itself out by
the laws of trade, and the adjustment which
business would ultimately execute under
its own influences and necessities the cry of
distress would not be heard now from every
avenue of enterprise. The contraction which
comes from the note of preparation for re-
sumption in 1879, and which puts gold
out of sight or leaves 1t the play
thing of spectators is the chief cause ofthe
existing embarrassments in the general
avenues of trade and enterprise. The hope
Of obtaining relief from newly devised
sources has led to the pending effort to add
TO the volume OF our coin circulation by re-
monetizing silver under such forms Of law
and such gaurds as will give the people nm
honest dollar in silver equal in intrinsic
value to gold. This effort is combatted by
those who now have full control of all the
gold not held in seclusion awaiting resump-
tion, and see that the profits of their specu-
lations are to be interiered with and
abridged when the day shall come that sill
yer and gold are rccosnized under an
equality of value by the laws Of the country.


We had hoped that this Administration
would put itself in sympathy with the
people and seek the promotion of their well
fare in this crisis, but the annual State
papers that are now, emerging from the
President and the Departments teach the
lesson that the money power of the country,
the bond-holders and the spectators, in
gold, "arc the power behind the throne
greater than the throne itself" The people
are emphatically taught that they must
take care Of themselves rs they best can
under existing circumstances, until the greed
of the speculator is sat isaed, and "saint-se-
ducing gold" relaxes its avaricious grasp
from the prostrate form of business enter
prise.


| The SECRETARY presents the reasons which
have controlled him in Withholding the
payment on claims long since established
by affidavit, and which are undoubtedly
just and long since due to the claimants,
and they do no credit to his sense of justice.
The payment is withheld under bubble
over o construction Of the law, the hinging
point being that the claims have been long
standing, are sustained by affidavit under
precedent but that the Secretary has had
no opportunity or power TO cross-examine
the atlantis to see whether or not they
have sworn falsely. And for this grave
reason the claims go unsstisiied, the claim
ants are left TO suffer, and the money that
has been appropriated for this purpose is
covered back into the Treasury. We fail
to see the necessity or justice of such an
unfccling policy toward our creditors. But
enough on this head for the present.


The report Of the Secretary of the Interior
presents a fair view of the condition of his
extensive and somewhat mixed Department.


Much of its space Is devoted to discussing


the existing Indian policy of the Govern


ment. This is an important subject, and


the Secretary treats it with much candOI
and force. lie presents nine points for pub
lie consideration, which are, in brief, that


we should keep our faith with the Indians
and redeem all our pledges implicitly; should


win the Indian from his hunting-grounds


and pursuits; teach him the arts Of ciyiliza.


ton; assure him In the individual rights Of


property; afford him the means of education


the labor of the white man to he dispensed


with, and that of the Indians to DO substi


tited on their lands All of which is very


fine in theory, but then what will the "pool


Indian" have to say about it? The sugges


ton of an honest Indian service is most ex


cellent, and If successful will so far to win


tho confidence of that people, The Sccre


tary has discovered in the period that Ii


has been at the head of his Department tina


the Indian Bureau is not like CESAR


wile-"above suspicion"


The remaining subjects of the report ar


treated very intelligently in n busines


point OF view. The Secretary is evidentl.


devoting close attention to the multifarioul


interests of his Department though II,