But The Country Has, I Think, Become Tired Of This.
Hitherto it has
been too busy about its more important concerns, in extending
commerce, in making railways, in providing education for its youth,
to think very much of what was being done at Washington.
While the
taxes were light, and property was secure, while increasing
population gave daily increasing strength to the nation, the people
as a body were content with that theory of being governed by their
little men. They gave a bad name to politicians, and allowed
politics, as they say, to "slide." But all this will be altered
now. The tremendous expenditure of the last twelve months has
allowed dishonesty of so vast a grasp to make its ravages in the
public pockets that the evil will work its own cure. Taxes will be
very high, and the people will recognize the necessity of having
honest men to look after them. The nation can no longer afford to
be indifferent about its government, and will require to know where
its money goes, and why it goes. This franking privilege is already
doomed, if not already dead. When I was in Washington, a bill was
passed through the Lower House by which it would be abolished
altogether. When I left America, its fate in the Senate was still
doubtful, and I was told by many that that bill would not be allowed
to become law without sundry alterations. But, nevertheless, I
regard the franking privilege as doomed, and offer to the Washington
post-office officials my best congratulations on their coming
deliverance.
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