St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-04
UNCLE SAM Is RICH.
That is the Assumption of People
Who Demand Gratuities and
Glass Legislation.

Glass Legislation.
1t cannot he denied that the selfish
and private interests which are SO per-
sistently heard when efforts are made
to deal in just and comprehensive
manner with our tariff laws are related
to, if they are not responsible for. the
sentiment largely prevailing among the
people that the general government is
the fountain of individual private 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 pro-
noting the general good, apply pub
lie funds to the benefit of To-
calities and individuals. Nor can
it be denied that there is a growing
assumption that as against the govern,
melt and in favor of private claims and
interests, the usual rules and limitaI
tionS of business principles and just
dealing should be waived. These ideas
have been unhappily much encouraged
by legislative acquiescence. Relief
from contracts made with the govern
ment 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 consider
alton than the wealth OF the govern
ment and the poverty of the claimant.
Gratuities in the form Of pensions are
granted upon no other real ground than
the needy condition of the applicant, or
for reasons less valid, and large sums
are expended for the purpose OF public
buildings and other improvements upon
representations carefully claimed to be
related to public needs and necessities.
To the extent to which the consideration
of such matters subordinate and post
pone action upon subjects of great pub
lie Importance. but involving no special
private or partisan interest. should ar
rest attention and lead to reformation,
q few of the numerous illustrations of
this condition may be stated. The
crowded condition of the calendar OF
the supreme court and the delay to
suitOrs and denial of justice resulting
therefrom, has been strongly urged upon
the attention of congress with plan
for the relief of the situation approved
by those we'll able to judge of its merits.
While this subject remains without eff
fectiye consideration many laws have
been passed providing for the holding
of terms of inferior courts at places to
suit the convenience of localities or to
lay the foundation of an application for
the erection of new public building.
Repeated recommendations have been
submitted for the amendment and
change of the laws relating to our pub
lie lands to other uses than for homes
of honest settlers might be prevented.
While measure to meet this conceded
necessity of reform remains awaiting
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
we'll recommended by those well in
formed as containing valuable features
in furtherance of the Indian problem
has thus far failed Of the legislative
sanction, while grants of doubtful ex-
pediency to railroad corporations per-
mittlng them to pass through Indian
reservations have greatly multiplied.
The propriety and necessity OF the cree
ton of one or more prisons for the con-
finement of United States convicts and
a postoffice building in the national
capital are not disputed, but these needs
yet remain unanswered, While scores OF
public buildings have been erected
where their necessity for public pur-
poses is not apparent. A revision of
our pension laws could easily be made
which would rest upon just principles
and provide for every worthy applicant.
But while our general pension laws
remain confused and imperfect, hum
dreds of private pension laws are am
nually passed, which are the sources of
unjust discrimination and popular
decentralization. Appropriation bills for
the support of the government are de-
faced by items and provisions to meet
private ends, and 1t is freely asserted
by responsible and experienced parties
that a bill appropriating money for pub
lie internal improvement would fail to
meet with favor unless it contained
more for local and private advantage
than for public benefit. These state
ments can be much emphasized by an
ascertainment of the proportion of fed
eraI legislation. which either bears upon
its face its private character, or which
upon examination develops such mo-
tive power