Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1873-08-18
DUTY OF Il E

their verdict upon this salary-grab
question. Those who voted for and
pocketed their portion OF the steal,
very we'll knew that it would be two
years before there would be another
election Of members Of Congress, and
by that time they Imagined that It
would be forgotten, or lost sight OF In
the excitement 80 some other ques-
tion.-Emekd Sentinel.
While We agree with the Sentinel as
to It's Interpretation OF the belief Of
member. Of Congress who voted FOR
the salary-grab, that It would not ex-
cite the people, or II so, that the ex.
element would die out before the
next election, we have no fear OF such
a result. Never has a measure OF our
National Legislature excited so wide-
spread and hearty condemnation, and
as time passes, this feeling Instead OF
losing, appears to be increasing In
strength aud intensity. Nearly every
convention Of citizens, whether he
publican, Democratic or Independent
have condemned In severe language
the Infamous theft, aud all detenses
made by those who participated In tts
benefits have been Of no avail to check
this torrent Of popular Indignation.
The Amusement with which the
daring outrage vas first viewed
by the people has been succeeded
BY a powerful sentiment OF disgust and
resentment against the %traitorou'
crew who would, for 80 pltifil a sum,
basely repudiate their oft-repeated
pledges Of economy and REFORM and
betray the trusts contided to their
care. This feeling Will in time give
place. In fact Is doing so already to u
firmly settled conviction OF the abso-
lutte unfitness Of the majority OF the
present Congress-or every one who
advocated, supported or participated
In the last plumber Of the Treasury
to represent the people. and a fixed
and interchangeable resolution to fill
their places at the next election by
men. who at least have the merit OF
not yet having been proved thieves and
swindlers. We do not anticipate any
waning OF this sentiment. 1t Is not
evanescent. 1t will not require to be
fed by discussion or famed by the pub.
lie press. Though other issues may
come before the people, none will be
more important than this aud the peo-
pie feel that this Il 50. There can be
10 greater peril to u system OF gov
ernment than a corrupt representation
in the National Congress. No other
danger so menaces selfgovernment rs
that OF being misreprescnted BY a cor
rupt aud veusl Legislature. The sal
airy steal Is but one Of a large number
of proofs that show our Congress unit
for its responsibilities, unfaithful to
It's pledges, and unmindful Of It's duties
to the people. 1t Is the ontgrowth Of
a system Of public corruption which,
since the war, has stridcd on toward
rottenness with accelerated pace. It
Is the result Of land grabs, subsidy
schemes, special legislation, caucus
rule, and IS a natural sequence Of car
pet-bsg and Credit Mobilier villainie'
and whitewashing committee reports.
The remedy Is to elect unpurchasable
men {; to condemn all nominations
made by caucus; to have honest prl-
marieS aud let the people know that
party fealty Is subordinate to public
good. 10 bury the doctrine that dis
loyalty to the dictates of caucus rings
and central committees, Is Identical
with that Of enmity TO country, or Is In
any degree degrading or contrary to
the right of a free elector. 1t Is to
advocate the doctrine Of free thought,
free speech and free exercise Of the
elective franchise. It Is to make the
people feel that hereafter their repre-
sentatives. judges and executives are
to be nominated, as well as elected, by
themselves, and that a few partisan
manipulators have no right and shall
not longer assume to dictate repre-
or rulers to a free people.
These are the principles In the incul-
aud discussion Of which 1t Is the
duty Of the press to fearlessly engage.
Let US hear no more the cry Of traitor
ship to party pledges. or party tealty,
but let fidelity to principle, and con-
judgment be the doctrines
hereafter advanced aud supported BY
Ill the public prea. Tho times are
.usplclous for a resumption OF the old
warfare against partisan dictatlon aud
It's progeny Of corruption, imbecility
aud ignorance, and TO the press Of the
nation Is committed the task Of educat-
Ing the public mind to the full stand
ard OF both Its duties and privileges.