National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1878-03-01
Work for Statesmen.


REPUBLICAN some general ideas as to how
the distress that threatens the peace Of the
country might be alleviated. To-day we
propose to give some Of the details by
which these general suggestions can be car
ried into effect. We desire to be distinctly
understood as opposing subsidies for the
benefit of great corporations or few indi-
viduals, as well as the prosecution of any
public work that is not of national benefit,
but we hold to that doctrine so ably set
forth by HENRY CLAY and other great
thinkers and statesmen, that the National
Government should use the nations money
to make such improvement as will add to
the nations wealth and strength. There
can be no question about the propriety Of
the National Government owning in everv
held suitable building for that purpose,
and such building should be made to
accommodate all the other governmental
officials in that city. This Is one class OF
public improvements to which no reason
able man can object, as we have already
shown that the rents paid for the use OF
buildings to accommodate the nations Off
Gals exceeds the interest on the money re-
quired to erect buildings. The present dis
tressed situation Of the country, the exceed
kinds, indicates this as the very best time
to commence at once and press to compile
ton as rapidly as possible all such needed
buildings.
Many Of our harbors, not only on the sea-
coast but on the lakes, need improvements
to render them safer and better. Our inn
mense coast-line needs numerous light
houses, and some Of our largest cities are so
imperiectly defended that, in the event of q
foreign war, they would be at the mercy
Of an enemys fleet This could and
should be remedied by the construction Of
defensive works and the erection of light
houses wherever needed. Work for thou
sands and food for tens of thousands would
be provided in this way with the money
that is now used in needlessly reducing the
public debt.
While we unhesitatingly condemn such a
foolish waste of the public money Us was
proposed by Senator HEREFORD, when, as
chairman of House cOfS'hi,tee, he endeav-
ored to have all the spring branches in West
Virginia made navigable streams, we recog-
nize the fact that there are rivers in the
country which may be justly classed a,
great national highways" and upon which
the Government should expend money; no
fitfully, and without well-considered plan
by which they can be made to bette
subserve the interests Of the Who'll
people. The Mississippi, the Missouri
the Ohio, and the Hudson River
are undoubtedly in this class, and the pei
manent improvement of the navigation Q
any or all of these would benefit the en-
tire country for all time to come, while I
90 SO now would provide work for otht
thousands of our suffering laborers.
1t can hardly be doubted that the need
of the country demand line of railwa
across the continent in the low ATTITUDES
the Southern border, which will not onl
cheaper freights, but serve rs defense I
the border and highway that will ult
mately secure to us the trade Of Mexic,
The same means that have proved SUE
cessful with other nations in extendin
their foreign commerce should be used I
extend ours. And all these things could B
done without increasing taxation if tn
senseless effort to pay off the public del
were stopped. The adoption Of these sui
gestions would not only avert the calam
ties which threaten, but would restor
prosperity to the country, and they are tn
dictates OF plain common sense, enforced b
experience.