The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-04

He mocks the people who proposes that the
government shall protect the rich and that they
IN turn will care for 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
humbiest citizen in the land, maxes the boast
OF free institutions glittering deluson and the
pretended boon Of American citizenship a
shameless imposition.
TARIFF REVISION URGED.
A just and sensible revision of our tariff laws
should be made for the relief of those of our
countrymen who suffer under the present con
dltlons. Suc1 revision should receive tue sup
port of all who love that justice and equality
due to American citizenship, of all who realize
that in this justice and equality our government
nnds Its strength and its power to protect the
citizen and his property. of all who believe that
the contented com etence and comfort of the
many accord better with the spirit of our insti
tutIons than colossal fortunes unfairly gathered
In the hands of few, of all VINO appreciate
that the forbearance acd fraternity among our
people, which recognize the value of every
American interest, are the surest guaranty of
our national progress, aud of all who desire to
see the products OF American skill and inge-
nuity in every market of tue world with a re-
sulting restoration of American commerce.
DIFFERENCE IN METHODS
The necessity OF the reduction of our revenue
Is so apparent as TO be generally conceded. But
the means by which this end shall be accom-
pushed, and the sum OF direct benefit which
snail result to our citizens present controversy
scheme accepted as satisfactory by which the
burdens OF the people are only apparently re-
moved.
Extravagant appropriations of public money,
with all their demorallzing consequences, should
not be tolerated either as a means OF relieving
the treasury OF its present surplus, or as fur
nishing pretext for resisting proper reduction
II tariff rates. Existing evils and injustice
should be honestly recognized, boldly met and
effectively remedied. There should be no cessa-
tlon of the struggle until a plan isperfected fair
and conservative toward existing industries,
but which Will reduce tie 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 inter
estS of American labor.
The cause for which the battle is waged is
comprised within lines clearly and distinctly de
fined. 1t should never be compromised 1t is
the peoples cause.
a Paternsl Government
1t cannot be denied that the selfish and pri-
vate 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 n It responsible for, the
sentiment largely prevailing among the people.
that the general government is the fountain of
individual and private aid; that it may be eX-
pected to relieve with paternal care the distress
of citizens and communities, and that from the
fullness or It's treasury, 1t should, upon the
slightest possible pretext of promoting the
general good, apply puolic funds to the benefit
Of localities and individuals nor can
assumption that as against the government,
and in favor of private claims aud interests,
the usual rules and limitations of business prin-
cpales, and just dealing should be waived.
These ideas have been unhappily much en-
couragedby legislative acquiescence Relief
from contracts made with the government is
too easily accorded in favor of the citizen. The
failure TO support claims against the govern
ment by proof is often supplied by no better
consideration than the wealth of the government
and the poverty Of the claimant.
USELESS PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
They are in the form of pensions and are
granted upon no other real ground, than the
needy condition OF the applicant, or for rea-
sons less valid and large sums are expended for
pnblic buildings and other improvements upon
representations scarcely claimed TO oe related
TO the public needs and necessities The extent
to which the consideration of such matters
subordinate aud postpone action upon subjects
Of great public Importance hut involving no
special private or partisan interest, should
arrest attention and lead to reformation.
fe of the numerous illustrations of this CON
dition may be stated. The crowded conditi)n
of the calendar of the supreme court and the
delay to SuitorS and the denial OF justice re-
sultinS therefrom has been strongly urged upon
the attention Of the congress, with a plan FOR
the relief of the situation approved by those
well able to judge of its merits. While this sub
ject remains without effective consideration,
many laws have been passed providing for the
holdi of terms Of inferior courts at places to
suit the convenience of localities, or to lay the
new public buildings.
Land Legislation Needed.
Repeated recommendations have been sub
mitted for the amendment and change of the
laws relating to our public lands so that their
spoliation and diversion to other uses than as
homes for honest settlers might be prevented.
While a measure to meet this conceded neces-
sity of reform remains awaiting the action of
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 recon-
mended by those well informed, as containing
valuable features in furtherance of the solution
Of the Indian problem, has thus far failed OF
legislative sanction, while grants of doubtful
expediency to railroad corporations permitting
them to pass through Indian reservations, have
greatly multiplied.
The propriety and necessity of the erection Of
one or more prisons for the confinement of
United States convicts and 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 purposes is not ap-
parent
REVISION OF PENSION LAWS.
A revision of our pension laws could easily be
made which ould rest upon just principles and
provide for many worthy applicants. But
while our general pension laws remain confused
and imperfect. hundreds of private pension
laws are annually passed which are the sources
of unjust discrimination and popular dcmoral-
lZatlOn. Appropriation OILS IOr the support OF
the government are defaced by items and pro-
visions to meet private ends, and it is freely as
serted by responsible and experienced parties
that a bill appropriating money for public in
ternal improvements would fail to meet with
favor unless ditemsmore;for local and
private advantage than for public benefit.
These statements canEbe much emphasized by
an ascertanment OF the proportion
of federal legislation, which either bears
upon its face its private character, or which.
uDon examination, evelopb such motive power
an d vet the people wait and expect from their
chosen representatives such patriotic action as
will advance the welfare of the entire country
and this expectation can only be answered by
the performance of public duty with unselish
purpose.
DEVOTION TO THE PUBLIC GOOD.
Our mission among the nations Of the earth,
and our success in accomplishing the work
God has given the American people to do, re
auire of those intrusted with the making and
execution of our laws perfect devotion. above
ali other things TO the public good This devo-
ton will lead us to strongly resist all impotence
Of constitutional limitations of federal power,
and to persistenily check the increasing ten.
dency to extend the scope Of federal legislation
into the domain of state and local jurisdiction,
upon the plea Of subscribing the puolic welfare.
Tine preservation of the partit ons between
proper subjects Of federal and local care and
regulation is of such importance under the
constitution which is the law of our very
existence. that no consideration OF expedlency or
sentiment should tempt us TO enter upon doubt
ful ground We have undertaken TO discover
and proclaim the richest blessings OF a free
government with the constitution our guide.
Let us follow the way IL points out. II will not
mislead us. And surely no one who has taken
upon himself the solemn obligation to support
and preserve the constitution can find justih-
sH.tan for fglAyalfN n