The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1878-02-15
Communication.
TOO MUCH OFFICE-TOO MUCH ia x

Mr.. EprToR-The voters of the municipal di-
visions of Cambria county will soon again be
called upon to exercise the inestimable and
heayen-h born privileges of free and equal citi-
color, or previous condition of eervitude, or
party affiliations, n5th amendment and moro
6umcnm ne MISUNDERSTANDING ! "A the poor Iniun''
and heather Chinee.' tCids 10Th amendmenD,
to select their servants, or rather rulers, until
the next periodical change occurs. 1t therefore
behoover the voters aforesaid to act with lit
tie common sense and circumSpection. and to
apply TO This important subject that practical
wisdom and forethought which supposed
to uEderlte the actions ahd to guide men in the
most trustworthy and Intelligent citizens OF
the communities in which they reside should
he chosen to MI the various Offices of trust and
profit that 20 he parcelled out. Men who
understand and appreciate tne duties dcyolv-
ing upon them, and who viii discharge those
duties faithfhlly without fear partinlity or pre-
judIce for any person. not ecen excepting them
seIres. There unfortunateIy appenrs to be a
general and unnccomntahIe "hankaring" after
petty POLITICAL Offices and the little emOlnments
attached thereto. and the chief difficulty with
electors seems to be in making fitting selections
from the host OF candidates who from time to
lime prese M themselves for O icial preferrnent
This CONDITION of things is the Upas growth of
the universal elective system which prevails in
some nay in a majority OF the States where
every officer. from the highest o the lowest, is
passed upon directly by vote of the people. the
sud results are seen in every hzn6, and are dis
heartening in the extreme. IL is the Pandoras'
cage from whence spring the foulest evils that
affiict peopl3. Not to soar higher. venal and
incompetent assessors of the valuation of pro-
perty, ignorant, faithess and responsible school
boards, in most cases beyond the reach OF the
judicial departments OF the government for
whatever malfeasance they may choose to COM
init. in The supervision of he public roads ETC.
in short. in all branches of municipal service.
While this goes on Rome is 5IrninV," or, to
drop metaphor Tue taxes are fast consuming
the last Vestige of ability Of the tax payer to
meet them and TO protect himself and property
from Impending ruin. In some OF the districts
the taxes levied for State, county. poor, school
and road purposes reach the enormous aggre-
gate OF nearly ~ mills on the dollar, or about
fUtr dollars on the hundred dollars of the Hs-
scssed valuation. and to this is frequently add
ed what is called cash tax OF several mills,
for some specific object. AItoP ether his is ap
pt Hing and II is doubtful whether any OF the
Ilug ana tax ridden cities of the land, with
show q more startling and damaging record.
But Is there no remedy for this intOl,rable evil.
/ Is there no "halm in Gilead, physical n
theref Undoubtedly there are both. The
ing they can apply with certain effect to the
niaiadfcs now injecting the cody polite is the
utter extinction OF the present ulcerOus school.
road and other municipal systems, which are At
others more simple. practical, equitable and
responsible. Instead of VapOring theories and
political plattudes and inanities let these doc
tors OF law give II taX-burdened and snrely af-
with profit the school and other M unicipal sys-
tens OF her sister States. She is not too Old.
/ nor so Tar advanced in political economy, that
/ she may not learn some things vet. The people
! or PcnnSyiv0nia are no doubt willing to sup
port by liberal taxation their public school and
other internal systems, bur they should at the
! same time jealousy guard their rights and en-
/ ergeticaIly protest against unequal and OnerOus
! laws which faiI to accomplish the objects
/ designed from nbounding imptrfcctions. But
I while such laws remain upon the statute book
I temporary relief may be afforded taxpayers Ivy
eectng to office only the most reliable, intclli-
gent and capable citizens. Let voters look to
/ this al he approaching election.
| Yours, &c, REFORM.