The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-04

own sake and for what 1t should Accomplish
as O motive to our nations advancement and
the happiness Of all our people is displayed
by the assumption that the government, in
stead of being the embodiment of equality. Is
but an instrumentality through which espec-
ial and individual advantages are to be
gained. The arrogance OF this assumption is
unconcealed. 1t appears in the sordid dis
regard of all but personal interests, in the
refusal to abate for the benefit of Others one
iota of selfish advantage, and in combna-
tiOuS to perpetuate such advantages through
efforts to control legislation and improperly
influence the suffrages Of the people.
THE MASSES AND THE CLASSES.
The grievances not included within the cir
Gle of these benefciaries, when fully realized
will surely arouse irritation and discomfort.
Our farmers, long suffering and patient,
struggling in the race of life with the hard
est and most unremitting toll, will not fail to
see, in spite of Misrepresentation and mis-
leading fallacies, that they are obliged to ac.
cept such prices for their products as are
fixed in foreign markets. where they compete
with the farmers of the world; that their
lands are declining in value while their debts
increase; and that without compensating
favor they are forced by the action of the
government to pay for the benefit of others
such enhanced prices for the things they
need that the scanty returns of sheir labor
margin for accumulation. Our working
men, enfranchised from all delusions
and no longer frightened by the cry that
their wages are endangered by just revis-
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 seryi-
tude, and an open door to their advancement
beyond the limits Of a laboring class. 9th
n WI
penditures are measured by moderate salar-
les and fixed incomes will insist upon the
fairness and justice of cheapening the cost
OF necessaries for themselves and their fami-
lies. When to the selfishness of the benefc-
iaries 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 benefcent
purposes OF our government, dependent upon
the patriotism and contentment Of our peo-
pie, are endangered. Communism Is a hate
full thing. and menace to peace and organ
lied government; but the communism of
combined wealth and capital, the outgrowth
OF overweening cupidity and selishness,
which insidiously undermines the justice
and integrity Of free institutions, Is not less
dangerous than the communism of oppressed
poverty, which, exasperated by Injustice and
discomfort, attacks with wild disorder the
citadel of rule. He mocks the people who
proposes that the government shall protect
Tue IiCLy anu budt tuty III buIU Will care lOE
the laboring poor.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 delusi0n and the pretended boon
OF American citizenship shameless imposi-
tion.
NECESSITY OF TARIFF REFORM.
A just and sensible revision of our tariff
laws should be made for the relief of those
of our countrymen who suffer under present
conditions. Snch revision should receive
the support Of all who love that justice and
equality due to American citizenship; of all
who realize that under this justice and
equality our government finds its strength
and its power to protect the citizen and his
property; OF all who believe that the con-
tented competence and comfort of many ac-
cord better with the spirit of our institu-
stions than colossal fortunes unfairly gather
ed in the hands Of a few ;who appreciate that
the forbearance and fraternity among our
people, which recognize the value of every
American interest, are the surest guaranty
OF our national progress, and of all who de-
sire to see the products of American skill
and ingenuity in every market of the world
with resulting restoration Of American
commerce.
The necessity of the reduction of our
revenue is so apparent as to be generally
cad shall be accomplished and the sum of
direct benefit which shall result to our citi-
zens present a controversy of the utmost i'm
portance There should be no scheme ac-
cepted as satisfactory by which the burdens
Of the people are only apparently removed.
Extravagant appropriations of public money
with all their demoraliZing consequence
should not be tolerated, either as a means of
relieving the Treasury of its present surplus
or as furnishing a pretext for resisting a
rQdnatiOn W
evils and Injustice should be honestly re-
cognized, boldly met and effectively rem
edied. There should be no cessation of the
struggle until plan is perfected, fair and
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.
sELFIsHNEss AND GREED.
1t cannot be denied that the selfish and
private interests which are so persistently
heard when efforts are made to deal in Just
and comprehensive manner with our tariff
laws are related to, If they are not response
BILE for, the sentiment largely prevailing
among the, people that the general govern
ment Is the fountain Of individual and pri-
yate aid; that 1t 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 pretext of promoting the general
good, apply public funds to the benefit of lc-
calities and individuals Nor can it be de-
MED that there is growing assumption as
against the government and in favor of pri-
vate claims and interests, the usual rules and
Limitations hncinQcc In 81
dealing should be waived. These ideas have
been unhappily much encouraged by legisla
tive acquiescence. Relief from contracts
made with the government is too easily ac-
corded il favor of the citizen. The failure
TO support claims against the government by
proof is often supplied by no better consider.
alton than the wealth of the government and
the poverty of the claimant. Gratuities in
the form OF pensions are granted upon nc
other real ground than the needy condition
OF the applicant, or for reasons less valid,
and large sums are expended for public
buildings and other improvements upon rep.
resentat tions scarcely claimed to be related 70
| public needs and necessities. The extent tC
which the consideration of such matters sub
0rdlnateS and pOstponeS action upon sub
| Jects OF great public Importance. but involv
| ing 10 special, private or partisan interest
should arrest attention and lead to reforma-
| t0n.
INSTANCES IN POINT.
n lew OI the numerous illustrations OF tnl,
condition may be stated The crowded con
dition of the calendar of the supreme cour
aud the delay for suffers and the denial OF
| justice resulting therefrom, has been strongl,
urged upon the attention of Congress with {
| plan Tor the relief of the situation, approved
| by those able to judge Of its merits. While
| this subject remains without effective consid
! GRAFTON, many laws have been passed provid
ing for the holding of terms of inferior courts
| at places to suit the convenience of localities
OF to lay the foundation Of an application fo
| the erection of new public building.
Repeated recommendations have been sub
| mitted fol the amendent and change of the
| laws relating to our public lands, so thai
| their spoiition and diversion 10 othe
uses than as homes for honest settlers migh
| be prevented. While measure to meet the
| conceded necessity Of reform remains await
| ing the action OF Congress, many claims to
the public lands and applications for theiI
donation in favor of States and Individual
| have been allowed. A plan in aid of Indiar
| management, recommended by those we'll in
| formed as containing valuable features il
| furtherance of the solution of the IndiaI
| problem has thus far failed of legislative
| sanction, while grants of doubtful expedien
| cy to railroad corporations, permitting then
| to pass through indian reservations, hay,
| greatly multiplied.
| BUILDINGS NEEDED AT WASHINGTON.
| The propriety and necessity Of the erection
| of one or more prisons for the confinement
of United States convicts and a post ofic,
building in the national capital are not dis
| puted. But these needs yet remain unan
swered, while scores of public buildings hav