The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1888-12-12

0tir workingrnen, snTrancnlsea lruin ait
delusious and no longer frightened by the
just revision OF our tariff laws, viii rsasona-
bly, demand through such revision steadier
employ ynlents cheaper means Of living in
their homes, freedom for themselves and
thsir cllidred from the doom of perpetual
servitude, and an open door Co their ad
vancement beyond the limits of a laboring
clasS Others of our citizens whose comforts
and dexpenditures are measured by moderate
salaries and h1ed incomes, will insist upon
the fairness and Justice of cheapening the
cost Of necessaries for themselves and their
families
When, 70 the selHshness of the beneficiaries
OF unjust discrimination under our laws,
there shall be added the discontene Of those
who suffer from such discrimination, we
viii realiEe the fact that the beneficent pur-
poses ot Dur governrnent, dependent upon the
patriotism and contentnent OF our people,
are endangered.
Communism is a hateful thing, and q
lfnefince to peace and organized government.
But the communism of combined wealth and
capital, the outgrowth of overweening cupid
ity and seiflshness. which insidiously under
mines the Justice and Integrity of free insti-
tutions, Is not less dangerous than the COM
munism OF oppressed poverty and toll,
tent, attacks with wild disorder the citadel
of rule.
be mocks the people who proposes that the
government shall protect the rich and that
Any intermediary between the people and
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 a glittering de-
fusion and the pretended boon of American
citizenship shameless imposition.
A just and sensible revision of our tariff
laws should be made for the relief of those of
our cOuutrymen who suffer under present
conditions Such revision should receive
the support OF all who love justice and
equality due to American citizenship, of all
who realize that in this justice and equality
our government finds its strength and its
power to protect the citizen and his prop
erGy, of all who believe that the contented
competence and comfort ofinany accord BET
ter with the spirit of our institutions than
colossal fortunes unfairly gathered in the
hands OF few, of all who appreciate that
the forbearance and fraternity among our
people, which RECOGNIZES the value of every
American interest, are che suresG guaranty
of our National progress, and OF all who de-
sire TO see the produces of American skill
and ingenuity in every market of the world,
with a resulting restoration Of American
The necessity of the reduction of our reve-
nue. Is SO apparent as TO be generally con-
coded. But the means by which this shall be
accomplished and the sum of direct benefit
which shall result TO our citizens, present a
controversy of the utmost Importance.
There should be no scheme accepted as
satisfactory by which the burdens OF the
PGOplc apparently IeluONo4s 3IA-
rraSagant appropriations of pu lie money,
with all their demoralizing consequences,
should not be tolerated, either as means OF
relieving the treasury OF its present surplus.
or furnishing pretex5 for resisting a
proper reduction in tariff rates
Existing evils and injustice should be hon
estly recognized, boldly met and effectively
reunedied. There should be no cessation of
the struggle until a plan is perfected. fair
and conservative, toward existing Industries,
but which will reduce the cost To consumers
of the necessaries of life. while it provides
for our manufacturers the advantage of
freer raw materials and permits no injury
TO the interests of American labor
The cause for which the battle is waged is
comprised within lines clearly and distinctly
defined. 1t should never be compromised
1t is the peoples cause
It cannot be denied that the selfish and
private interests which are so persistently
heard, when efforts are made to deal in a
Just and comprehensive manner within our
tariff laws, are related to, IL they are not re-
sponsiple for, the sentiment largely prevail
ing among the people, that the general gov
ernment is the fountain of individual and
private aid; that IL may be expected to
relieve with paternal care the distress of
citizens and communities, and that from the
fullness of its treasury it should, upon the
slightest possible pretex. of promoting the
general good, apply public funds to the ben
eft of localities and individuals Nor can it
be denied that there is a growing assumption
that, as against the government and in favor
OIL pTlVaD6 anu 1nDSTeSIS, IQ6
rules and limitations of business principles
and Just dealing should be waived.
These ideas have been unhappily much en-
couraged by legislative acquieSceence Relief
from contracts made with the government
is too easily accorded in favor of the citizen;
the failure to support claims against the
government by proof is often supplied by no
better consideration than the wealth of the
government and the poverty of the claim
ant; grntitudes in the form of pensions are
granted upon no other real ground than the
needy condition of the applicant. or for raa-
sons less valid; and large sums are expended
for public buildings and other Improvements
upon representations scarcely claimed TO be
related to public needs and necessities
The extent to which the consideration OF
such matters subordinate and postpone ac.
tion upon subjects of great public import
ance, should, the president thinks, arrest Mt.
tention and lead to reformation, and he thus
cites few of the numerous illustrations of
this condition:
The crowded condition OF the calendar of
the supreme court and the delay to suitors
and the denial of justice resulting therefron,
of the congress, with plan for the relief of
the situation approved by those well able to
judge of its merits.
Whiis this subject remains without effec-
tive consideration many laws have been
passed providing for the holding of terms of
inferior courts at places 90 suit the con
7enience Of localities, or co lay the founda-
tfOn of an application for the erection of
Repeated recommendation have been
submitted for the amendment and change of
the laws RELAXING to our public lands; SO that
their spollati0n and diTersiou To other uses
than as homes for honest settlers might be
prevented. While a measure to meet this
conceded necessity of reform remains await
ing the action of the congress, many claims
to the public lands and applications for their
donation, in favor of states and individuals,
have been allowed.
A plan in aid of Indian management,
recommended by those well informed, as
containing valuable features in furrnerance
Of the solution of the Indian problem, has
thus far failed of legislative sanction, while
grants OF doubtful expediency TO raiIrosf
corporations, permitting them to pass
through Indian reservations, have greatly
multiplied.
The propriety and necessity of the erection
OF ore or more prisons for the confinement
of United States convicts, and post
Office building in the National capital are
not disputed But these needs vet remain
unanswered, while scores of public buildings
have been erected where their necessity for
public purposes is not apparent
a revision of our pension laws could eas-
ily be made, which would rest upon Just
principles and provide for every worthy ap-
plicant. But while our general pension
laws remain confused and imperfect, hum
dreds of private pension laws are annually
passed. which are the sources OF un just dfs
elimination and popular decentralization
appropriation bills for the Support of the
sions to meet private ends, and it Is freely
raf1 Hx-1