The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-05-08
Parental Government.


(FTOm the FfOVlltnCs JOuIuAI'J
There arc not a few persons, intelligent
and influential, who would be glad TO SEQ
the experiment tried, in this country, OF u
parental government. The demand for
Congressional appropriations TO railroad
ard canal companies, government having
directorships, is in this direction; the argu'
ment in favor oil State or National pur-
chase OF railroads and tclcgraphs tends to
the same end; and, generally, whenever,
as In the west to-day, there Is some real
and extensive grievance, government is
imploIed to take control to q greater or less
extent. II is not likely that this desire
will ever be fully gratidGd in this nation;
nor is it probable that the time will ever
come when there will not be those who
will earnestly contend for II. The eXpe-
rience thus far oil such governmental in
PREVENTION has not been OF very encour'
aging nature. The grants 10 the western
railroads of land have not secured the eX'
pected results, and government directors
have not saved the money or the credit
of the country. The late utter ruin Of the
Atlantic National Bank, OF New York,
was accomplished under tho very eyes,
and in spite OF the OstensiOly due and
critical examination OF the bank by the
Government Examiner. In this case
there seems to have been nowhere,
the slightest attention TO the duties oil
supervision, but the Examiner Is popu-
larly understood TO act, not only in the
interests Of stockholders and depOsitors,
but in that Of the government. He is
looked upon by the ordinary and lay
mind, as an official who, by his ability,
his right TO enquire diligently into all the
affairs Of the banks, and by his impartial
position as IN officer oil government,
makes assurance OF safety dOubly sure, -
Now, 1t would be difficult 10 imagine
case in which paternal government
could and would be more certain 10 sue
ceed in its guardianship OF and over the
people, than in this very care OF the banks
The commissioner is theoretically, aud In
point OF fact, usually, FULLY qualified for
his position; every book and paper OF tue
bank Is open to his inspections; he is not
restricted as 10 tiinc;' he is in no why
Obliged 10 consult the convenience Of the
banks; be has Just 10 look over the &C
counts, the assets, the money, the real
tangible property and evidences Of the
bauk, and report thereon, H. IN sGch
matter, II turns out that the entire ma
chiucry Is vnlueless; il the government
control is simply delusiOn and snRre,
what would We have u right 70 expect
where a multiplicity Of officials WERE re-
QuirCd 10 manage complicated and con-
slanlly varying hiTiirsH There is no sug.
geslion that the Examiner who certified
10 the sound condition OF the Atlantic
Bank, is either incompetent or corrupt;
IL only appears that he tailed utterly to
perform his duty. The fact that the
directors were as Inefficient as the Exa.
miner does not invalidate tho argument.
Under the paternal theory, 1t WIS just the
opportunity which u Keen and Jealous
government agent would have improved
10 show the value OF government control,
and the superiority Of the national over
private sense OF obligation, II, as is In
dicated In this instance, personal intereaL
and the desire and the necessity Of main
tanning IN excellent character, are not
sufficient to insure diligence on the part
Of cashiers, 1t Is quite as emphatically
proved that there Is no special virtue nor
any high degree Of safety created or
maintained by government officials. The
paternal government docs not, so far, jus.
tify itself either in theory or practice. 1t
luls into sense Of security, which II fails
to bCstow; It Is Il mirage which, with all
the semblance of reality, mclts and disap.
pears the moment II is tested by actual
approach. The stockholders Of the At.
lantic Bank, looking upon the certificate
of the government Examiner that the At.
Iantic Bank was sound and safe, when, In
fact, II was wholly insolvent, may gather
some idea Of the worth Of that important
official affidavit. And he Is the child and
Tenresen,atiye Of the paternal system.