The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1874-07-24
LETTER FROM N1R. DAVIS.

EDITOR EMPORIA NEWS :-DEAR
SIR IL thank you for the pUblica-
ton in your columns of my GRAFTON
before the Patrons of Lyon county,
on the 4th inst. am not surprised
or grieved by the criticisms which
you have thought proper to express,
bnt there are few points that ap-
pear to me as likely to convey to
your readers g wrong impression,
to the material damage of myself
and the cause advocate.
am not in favor of the concen-
tration of power and patronage in
to the hands of the general govern
ment-and hence favor the aboli-
ton of the national bank monopoly,
which creates and fosters an army
Of pets and pensioners who thrive
at the public expense. / also adyo-
cate the abolition of all custom
houses that do not pay their running
expenses, and the election of goy-
eminent officers by the people in all
practicable cases.
did not, last fall, and never did,
advocate the building of railroads
''by the government" though, in
extreme cases such 8 course might
be excusable when no other plan
can be agreed upon. Ny language
last fall was, "to be built and oper-
ated by the people. under the super
vision of the general government"
That is, let Congress pass general
laws for the encouragement of rail-
road building, and to control their
general management, Just as 1t does
for agriculture, mining, &c. 1 am
opposed to fsvoritism and special
legislation. Give US equal laws,
which shall insure Justice between
man and man and am content.
have no objection to men or corpor-
atoms becoming wealthy by their
own efforts, unaided by the public
funds or patronage
have never said or believed that
the wealth of individuals should be
limited TO twenty thousand dollars,
or any other sum. Nor do / think
it just or proper that the govern
ment should add from the public
treasury ninety per cent. to the
wealth of every rich man, Just be-
cause he is wealthy, as is advocated
by those who favor free banking IN
der the national banking system.
/ think bankers should be expect.
ed to furnish their own capital for
their own business, just as mer-
chants, farmers and all other men
are in the habit OF doing. There
should be no banks of issuel 1t is
the constitutional province of the
general government to coin or issue
money, and the power should never
be delegated to others.
/ have no objection 10 men ''out-
shining their "fellows," if they |
will do it by their own efforts, and |
not at the expense nf the said fell
lows.
But, Mr.. Editor, think we do
not differ SO widely after all. We
agree in the fact that the farmers
movement has done much good, and
If properly managed, will continue
to be an efficient agent in the right
direction. We both believe and ar
IDENTIFY hope that "the railroads are
not to be destroyed, they are to be
utilized" Neither do we wish them
turned oyer to the general govern
ment, except SO far IS necessary to
insure sfthAt every man has a fair
Neither should the gov
eminent, at least at present, build
or manage rsilroads-yet I think
we will agree that some general
laws for the encouragement of this
vast and important interest would
not be aEniss.
Finally, we both heartily agree
that the "paternal" theory of gov
is exploded. alec believe
that the maternal" theory should
be abolished, and that the inteIli-
gent people of this nation should
scan every department
Of human interest, effort and gov
in county. city, state and
nation, aad wherever q fellow or
class of fellows are foRnd unjustly
os the pebble pap, there
should be some good choking of
done, and the leaK stopped. This is J
The wav to reduce the amount Of
public patronage, of which we all
Open up fair fields Of !
Effort and enterprise on all hands.
Grant to every citizen justice, with
eciAl privileges to none, whether ,
1anker, merchant, manufacturer, !
,ublic carrier, miner, or farmer, and
am content.
Permit me, In closing, to again
express my thanks for the liberal
Iss you have allowed myself aud 2
riends 70 make Of your columns.
Very Respectfully, =
JOHN DAVIS. :
Junction City, July l3, 1874. n