Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-09-28

n public trust to be executed for the
benefit OF the whole people. When this
conception of duty is lost sight of, or
modified, the way is open for an imme.
date, certain and constant degeneracy
of the public service. A merely me-
chanical and negligent performance of
official functions follows the oblitcration
of these standards of duty. This results
from the long continuance in power of
selfish political leaders, and is most
serious evil in the public service.
No one can estimate the injury and
loss the people suffer from this cause
alone. There is q very widespread dis
content at what is forcibly called Boss
government. This is not without reas.
on. Popular discomfort has generally
good cause, for the people have no al.
vantage in unnecessary agitation and
disorder. The great evil of "B0-s' gov
ernment is that the interest ot the otti
cial il made inimical to faithful public
service. His interest is not on the side
of fidelity to the public veal, but on
that hf ahject obedience TO the orders
OF the "machine,' and he follows his
interest. A wise economy may be en-.
forced in the public expense. Proiu-e
expenditure by government Is not only
burdensome itself but generates IN of.
ticials spirit of proaigacy which per.
meates even private life. Extravaganza
breeds extravaganza. Every useless
expenditure creates an excuse If It does
not cause a necessity for further waste.
| This is true in many ways, not always
preceptible to the public, but which
become apparent upon an investigation
of systems. Peculation may he gross,
but can be detected. Mere financial
extravaganza can be measured and cor.
rected. The usual aud ordinary leaks
at last discover themselves, and can be
| stopped. But there is a protIgacy that
invites systems, that is wrapped up N
statutes, that has the protection OF law
and the warrants of long usage. II Is the
growth of years, has been line upon line
written into your legislation, represents
! the concentrated ingenuity OF a succcs.
sion Of public plunderers and extends
from the highest department IN the
| State to the lowest in the municipal.
| One manifestation of the abuse may be
| designated by the term place max.
ing" The numerous multipiicaiIons
of offices, the creation of useless and
| extravagant boards, trusts aud com.
missions, is a broad channel Of waste
| through which the people are yearly
! despoiled OF millions. 4 seryIceable
politician is out OF a place and must be
! provided for. 4 Recorder Office is i'm.
mediatcly created. \ junta OF leaders
! determine TO pool their designs upon
the treasury. A dependent Legislature
| lnhicts n delinquent tax Office upon the
community. The spolls still beng
/ found insufficient, some vast public
works are designed, as suggested, big
enough TO take in some OF the needy
of both parties. The abolition Of un.
necessary offices, the reduction OF the
number Of public dependencies, the
! the narrowing OF responsibility and
economy in the public expense consu-
tute an urgent and practicable reform.
To lessen the the cost OF government
| lightens the burdens OF labor. The
authors and abettors OF the evils under
which the people suffer are nov on
their trial in this Commonwealth. After
a long stewardship they will he judged
bY uttus anu UbN bF h''lHl ah'"a' ~
fessions are easily made, but the people
have been fed on such dry husks 80
long that they have resolved to deter.
mine who shall be their servants, not
by what is promised for the future, but
| by what has been done in the past.
again thank this organization for
the kindness OF this reception and the
opportunity it has afforded me Of say.
ing these brief words.
During the delivery Of the address
Mr. Pattison was frequently interrupt
ed with applause. and at its conclusion
| the halls Tesounded with Vlaudiis.