Milford chronicle., 1888-12-07

us place selfish greed and grasplng avarice
Devotion to American citizenship for its OWL
sake and for what it should accomplish as q
motive to our nations advancement and tbs
happiness Of all our people, is displaced by
the assumption that the government, instead
of being the embodiment of equality, is but
an instrumentality through which especial
and individual advantages are to be gained
The arrogance of this assumption is uncon
cealed Il appears in the sordid disregard Oi
all but personal interests, in the refusal t.
abate for the benefit OF others one iota Of
selfish advantage, and in combinations 70 per
petuate such advantages through efforts tc
control legislation and improperly influence
the suifrages Of the people.
The grievances Of those not included with
in the circle Of these benefciaries, when fully
realized, viii surely arouse irritation and
discomfort. Our farmers, long suffering anc
patient, struggling in the race Of life with the
hardest and most unremitting toll, will not
fail to see, in spite of Misrepresentation and
misleading fallaeies, that they are Obliged tc
accept such prices for their products as art
kxed in foreign markets where they compete
with the farmers of the world that Their
lands are declining in value while their debit
increase; and that without compensatins
favor they are forced by the action Of thi
government to pay, for the benefit of others,
such enhanced prices for the things they
need that the scanty returns of their labor
fail to furnish their support or leave no mar
gin for accumulation.
wORKINGAIEN DEMAND RELIEF.
Our worlingmen, enfranchised from all de
lusions and no longer frightened by the cry
that their wages are endangered by just re
vision of our tariff laws, will reasonably de
mand through such revision steadier employ.
ment, cheaper means Of living in their homes
freedom for themselves and their children
from the doom Of perpetual servitude, and al
open door to their advancement beyond the
limits Of a labOring class. Others Of our ciu
zens whose comforts and expenditures ara
measured by moderate salaries and fixed in
comes, viii insist upon the fairness and JUS
tice of cheapening the cost Of necessaries fol
themselves and their families.
When to the selfshness of the benefciarie
of unjust discrimination under our laws there
shall be added the discomfort Of those who
suffer from such discrimination, we will
realize the fact that the beneicent purposes
of our government, dependent upon the pa
triotism and cOntentment of our people, are
endangered.
Communism is a hateful thing, and a men
ace to peace and organized government, But
tai, the outgrowth Of overweening cupidity
and selishpess, which insidiously undermines
the justice and integrity Of free institutions,
| is not less dangerous than the communism ol
oppressed poverty aud toll, which, exasper-
ated by injustice and discomfort, attacks witt
! wild disorder the citadel of rule
| He mocks the people who proposes that th'
/ government shall protect the rich and thai
/ they in turn will care for the laboring poor
/ Any intermediary between the people AMI
their government or the least delegation OF
the care and protection the government owes
/ to the humblest citizen in the land makes
the boast of free Institutions glittering de
/ lusion and the pretended boon of American
| citizenship a shameless imposition.
A Just and sensible revision of our tariff
laws should be made for the relief Of thoss
Of our countrymen who suffer under present
conditions. Such a revision should receiv,
the support of all who love that justice and
equality due to American citizenship, of all
who realize that in this justice and equality
our government finds its strength and il:
power to protect the citizen and his property,
/ Of all who believe that the contented com.
petence and comfort of many accord better
with the spirit of our institutions than colos
sad fortunes unfairly gathered in the handi
bearance and fraternity among our people,
which recognize the value of every Ameri'
can interest, are the garest guaranty of our
national progress, and OF all who desire TO SCI
the products of American skill and ingenuity
in every market Of the world with a result
lug restoration Of American commerce.
NECESSITY FoR REVENUE REDUCTION.
The necessity Of the reduction of our revenu,
is 50 apparent as to be generally conceded,
But the means by which this end shall be ao
cOmplshed and the sum Of direct benefit
which shall result TO our citizens, present d
controversy Of the utmost Importance. There
should be no scheme accepted as satisfactory
by which the burdens of the people are only
apparently removed. Extravagant apprO
priations of public money, with all theii
demoralizing consequences should not b.
tolerated, either as a means of relieving tn
treasury of its present surplus or as furnish
ing pretext for resisting proper reduction il
tariff rates Existing evils and iaiustio
should be honestly recognized, boldly met
and effectively remedied- There should b
no cessation of the struggle until a plan j
perfected, fair and conservative toward ex
isting industries, but which viii reduce tn
cost to consumers Of the necessaries OF life
while it provides for our manufacturers tn
advantage Of freer raw material and permit
no injury to the interests of American labor
The cause for which the, battle is waged
comprised within lines clearly and distinctl
defined 1t should never be compromised
II is the peoples cause
1t cannot be denied that the selfish an
private interests which are so PERSISTENT
heard, when efforts are made to deal in
lust and comprehensive manner with on
tariff laws, are related to, if they are not n
sponsible for, the sentiment largely prevail
ing among the people, that the general gov
ernment is the fountain Of individual an
private aid; that it may be expectJ4 70 II
, Iieve with paternal care the distress OF cit
zens and communities, and that from II
, fullness Of its treasury it should, upon th
] slightest possible pretext of promoting Il
general good, apply public funds to the bel
eft Of localities and individuals Nor can
be denied that there is growing assumpao
, that, as against the government and in fave
Of private claims and interests, the usu
rules and limitations Of business principi
and just dealing should be waived
These ideas have been unhappily much ei
4 eouraged by legislative acquiescence. Relu
from contracts made with the government
too easily accorded in favor Of the citizen; Il
failure TO support claims against the go
ernment by proof, is often supplied by l
better consideration than the weal'
/. Of the government and tho pover'
Of the o,ssegans; gratuities in the tor
3 OF pensions are granted upon no othe
, real ground than the needy condition Of th
I applicant, or for reasons less valid; and larg
sums are expended for public buildings an'
other Improvements upon representation
scarcely claimed to be related to public need
= and necessities.
LEGISLATION IMPEDED.
The extent to which the consideration
, such matters subordinate and postpone az
y ton upon su 1jects Of great public impol
I tance, but involving no special, private Q
= partisan interest, should arrest attentio
e and lead to reformation.
few of the numerous illustrations
this condition may be stated.
= The crowded condition of the calendar