Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1853-10-26
OfhciaI Competition.

We have always held that the price
offered for any kind Of service oughs IL
be high enough to produce competition
and we believe, such is the doctrine gen
orally held BY economists. One dollar
a day produces no competition anon
common laborers, but let farmer Of
landlord offer two dollars, and very sool
he will be overrun with applicants o
the very best in the ranks. So well j,
the force of this rule understood by
some, that they advertise to pay extra
for first rate hands. The same rule is
observed in the produce market, where
the highest price is paid for the best ar
ticles.
We cannot see why legislation should
not be governed by the same rule-nol
by discrimination of wages paid mem
bers, though that would be just, but by
the offer of sufficient price to induce
the most competent men to offer in the
market. Two dollars and half per
diem salary is no inducement for our
best farmers, mechanics and profession
al men TO go to Madison--they would
not serve for that at home, especially
when it is known that the cost of living
at Madison is that much or more, in
spite of the most rigid rules of economy
that any decent man would adopt
What honest representative ever left
madison with a surplus penny of his
earnings in his pocket? we answer
none. We talk of the stealtngs the
appropriation Of money from the State
Treasury by members to buy themselves
knives, gold pens and cart loads Of sta
tionery; but these, we venture to say,
compose all the profits, and in major
lily Of cases, even these perquisite stea-
lings are pawned for board and never
redeemed.
Consequences. LIST. Competent, thrift
ty and honest men, the only ones that
ought to be trusted with law making,
are most all refusing to be candidates.
I'd. Incompetent, thriftless and knavish
characters, with few ceptions, are the
only ones that can be induced to .sstand
the nomination." as it is called. Sd. A
majority of the latter are sent to Madi-
son, and such laws as human wisdom
laughs at. and devils envy are enacted.
The members hang on at Madison as
long as The treasury bag has drop in
it, and then pledge the teat OF their sue
cessors for what it will bring. Like
Macbeth. they never say grace nor pray,
because they were never fought to saw.
Amen" Many seldom ever see the
legislative halls, only at the opening or
close of the session. They are ser; f.
the legislature, but assembi.,. IN the doo-
se'y' q So IN the Assembly halls, like
o-al and dumb mutes in banquet
voting like marble statues moved by
steam or electricity-or by a secret
spring worked by some chief having a
simon pure head and brains, vet minus a
soul.
No longer ago than last Saturday, we
asked two men, a Wing and Demo
crat-the best men we knew of, to be-
come candidates for assembly. Can.
afford it," "Can better myself "-posl.
lively, they were offended because we
asked SO great sacrifice of them-as
well they had reason to be. Well, the
upshot may be, choice between two or
more of the most incompetent men to
be found in the district. 10. HALL
says about the same for the Potosi dis
trict; and we learn that nobody who
cares continental cuss for Grant Coun-
ty or Wisconsin, will except the office
for Patch Grove district. In the Platte
vile district. they have persuaded two
very excellent men to run, and if our
vote could elect both, it would not be
wanting. Thus it is whatever of COM
petition there is for assemblymen, is
generally between men unfit for any
kind service-more especially law-ma
king.
Remedy. Pay five dollars day, and
if that don't induce competent laborers
to offer, raise the per diem to six or
eight dollars. The way to abolish long
sessions, long laws and tall expenses, is
to elect men who feel the burthen OF
taxation, and know how to feel for 9TH
ers-having good honest hearts, clear
heads and the ability to serve honora-
bly,.
aISince writing the above we have