New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-04

the circle OF these beneiciaieS, when fully real
lzcd VIII surely arouse irritation and discomfort.
Our farmers, long-sunerng and patient, strug-
cling III the race OF life with the hardest and
most unremtting toll will not fail to see,. in
spite OF misrepresentation and misleading falla-
cleS that they are obliged TO accept
such rnces for their products are
the farmers Of the world; that their lands are
declining in value while their debts increase
ana 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 their labor fail to furnish their support or
leave no margin for accumulation ,
Our workingmen, enfranchised from all de-
lusions and no longer frightened by the cry that
our tariff laws will reasonably demand through
such revision steadier employment cheaper
means OF living in their homes, freedom for them
selves and their children from the doom OF per-
petual servitudc and an open door To their ad-
vancement beyond the limits of laborlng class.
Others Of our citizens whose comforts ana eX-
penditures are measured by moderate salaries and
fixed incomes, will insist upon the fairness and
justice of cheapenng the cost OF necessarles for
themselves and their families.
When to the selfishness OF the beneiiciares OF
unjust discrimination under our laws there shall
be added the discomfort of those who suffer from
such discrimination Will realize the fact
that the benefcent purposes OF our Government,
dependent upon the patriotism ana c0ntentmenJ
of people, are endangered
Communism is a hateful thing, and menace TO
peace and organized government. But the com.
munism of combined wealth and capital. the out
growth of overweening cupdlty and scliishness,
which insidiously undermlneS the Justice and in
tegrity of free institutions is not less dangerous
than the communism of oppressed poverty and
toll which, eXasperated by injustice and discon-
tent, attacks with wild disorder the citadel OF
rule.
He mocl<s 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 Gov
eminent, or the least delegation of the care and
protection the Government to the humblest
citizen in the land makes the boast of free insti-
buttons a gttcring deusion and the pretended
boon of American citizenship shameless nmpo-
sltlOn.
TARIFF REDUCTION DEMANDED.
A just and sensible revision of tariff laws
should be made for the relief of those of our
countrymcn who suffer under present conditions.
Such a revision should receive the support OF
all who love that justice and equality due to
American citizenship, of all who realize that i'll
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 accord
better with the spirit of our institutions than
colossal fortunes unfairly gathered i'll the hands
of few, OF all who appreciate that the forbear-
ance and fraternity among our people, which rec
ognize the value of every American interest, are
the surest guarantee of our National progress, and
of all VINO desire to see the products OF Anerl-
can 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 to he generally conceded. But
the means by which this end shall be accomplished
and the sum OF direct benefit which shall result
to our citizens present controversy of the ut
most importance. There should be no scheme
accepted satisfactory by which the burdens
Of the people only apparently removed EX-
travagant appropriations of public money, with
all their demoralizing consequences, should not
be tolerated, either as means OF relieving thc
Treasury of its present surplus, or as furnishing
preteXt for resisting proper reduction In tarln
honestly recognized. boldly met, and effectively
remeded. There should be no cessation OF the
struggle until a plan is perfected far and con
sentative toward existing Industries, but which
will reduce the cost to consumers OF the necessa-
res OF e wne 1t % rEar U p maera and
permits no injury to the interests OF American
labor.
The cause for which the battle is waged is COM
prised within lines clearly and distinctly defined
1t should never be compromised 1t is the peo-
pies cause.
interests which persstently heard. when
efforts are made TO deal in a Just and compre-
hensive manner with our tariff laws are related
to, if they not responsible for, the sentiment
largely prevailing among the people, that the
General Government is the fountain of indiyid- |
ual and private aid that it may be expected TO |
relieve with paternal care the distress of citizens
and communities. and that from the fulness of
it's Treasury it should upon the slightest possible
lie funds TO the benefit OF localities and indivld |
uals. Nor it be denied that there is a grow |
ing assumption that as against the Government
usual rules and limitations of business principles
and just dealing should be waived.
These ideas have been unhappy much encour- |
aged by legislative acquiescence Relief from
contracts made with the Government is TOO easily
accorded in favor Of the citizen; the failure to
ment by proof. is often supplied by |
no better consideration than the wealth of the
Government and the poverty of the claimant; |
gratuities in the form Of pensions are granted |
upon no other real ground than the needy con- |
dition of the applicant, or for reasons 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
NEGLECTED NEEDS
The extent to which the consideration of such |
matters subordinate and postpone action upon
subjects Of great public importance but involving /
no special. private partisan interest, should
arrest attention and lead to reformation.
A 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 sultOrs and
denial of justice resulting therefrom, has been !
strongly urged upon the attention OF Congress,
with n plan for the relief of the situation approved
by those well able to judge of its merits. While
this subject remains without effective consider
alton many laws have beer passed providing Tor
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 public lands, that their spoil
atlon and diversion to other uses than as homes
for honest settlers might he prevented While
a measure 10 meet this conceded necessity re-
mains 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, 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 en-
pediency to railroad corporations, permitting them
to pass through Indian reservations, have greatly
multiplied. -,
one or more prisons for the confinement OF United
States corvicts and a Post Office building in the