Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-07-12
MIR. eurlsy-Hi. Roceps,on ana Dolpss.

Mrs Gurtey-hm hocepet0n and D0tnan.
The greeting accorded to the Hon. John A.
Gurley at his first formal interview with his
constituents, on Tuesday evening, was, to
appearance, such an one as he had reason to
be glad 10 receive. Without being an enor-
nous gathering, il was sufficiently extensive
TO be respectable and the temper manifested
was such as to indicate a popular feeling Of
respect and honor for the gentleman inwhose
behalf 1t was convened.
That the people IN his district have found
in Mr.. Gurley public servant of unusual
activity, all of which be is ready and willing
to devote to their use, there is no room to
doubt and that in integrity and faithfulness
he has few superiors, we, in common with all
those who are personally acquainted with his
character, do most sincerely believe. That
in some things he may have misiudged is
possible; but in public life men do not COW
enant to be perfect 1t is enough if they are in
corruptible. The errors which they honestly
commit, are never very mischievous; it is
only when they add moral unsoundness to
mental fallibility that they become dangerous.
The project of general character to which
Mr.. Gurley has devoted the most attention is
the establishment of a Government Printing
house. In this, while we have felt no incli-
nation to impeach his motives we have, as
we did not hesitate to show, not agreed with
him. That the public printing was one of
the most prolific sources of official corruption
there is no dispute; and that the new plan
will put check upon some old modes of dis
honest proceeding is probable; but the ulti-
mate question is, of how much malpractice is
given scheme capable2-and in this respect,
we are inclined to think, the present arrange
ment will be found, in the end, not TO fall
very much behind any of its predecessors.
The main objection to the thing is that it is
founded upon a false principle--upon an in
correct idea of the province and functions of
government. II has established an unneces-
sary institution, and connected it with the
State, and fixed precedent which needs only
to be generally adopted to turn the govern
ment into manufacturing concern of the
most extensive and various character. In
this mistake, however, Mr.. Gurley has not
differed from the majority of his colleagues
and of American Statesmen generally; the
true boundary of the legitimate powers Of
government never having been very accu-
rately marked by any, nor apparently very
we'll understood.
We observe that, in his address, Mr.. Gurley
claims-and we doubt not justly-to have
originated such measures as will insure the |
of the Louisville and Portland |
canal to a capacity sufficient to meet the |
wants of the public, within the space of two
years. If he has in reality secured the
means to perform this great and necessary
labor, which has for so many years been de-
layed by the squabbles of politicians the
schemes of jobbers, and the inertness of
mercenary government, he has performed a
service to his constituents which will de-
serve to be long remembered and will place
him high in the catalogue of useful and
faithful servanta of the neonle