Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
President Cleveland's Recon-
mendations to Congress.

2CA<in Reform Again q Leading Feature
Tho West Incident-RevIew OF the PEN
/ sion Laws-Public Lands Restored
Other Recommendation.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3..CQngress opened
at 1:3O to-day for its second session. The
Presidents message was presented to both
houses and read.
President Cleveland opens his message to
Congress by calling attention to the fact that
With the expiration Of the present session OF
Congress the first century OF our constitutional
history Is completed The time admonishes US
10 soberiy inquire whether IN the past we have
always closely kept in the course of safety, and
whether we have before q way plain and
clear which leads to happiness and perpetuity.
When the experiment OF our Government was
undertaken the chart adopted for our guidance
vas the Constitution. Departure from the
lines there laid down is failure. It is only by q
strict adherence to the direction they indicate,
and by restraint within the iimitatio they
NIX. that we can furnish proof to the world OF
H6c fitness OF the American people for selfgov-
eernment.
The equal and exact Justice of which we
boast as the underlying principle of our insti-
buttons should not be confined to the relations
OF our citizen to each other. The Government
11sclf is under bond to the American people
chat in the exercise of its functions and powers
1t will deal with the body of our citizens in a
manner scrupulously honest and fair and abso-
anteiy just. We view with pride and satisfac-
Zion the bright picture Of our country's growth
naod prosperity, while only closer scrutiny de-
-Setops somber shading. Upon more careful
inspection We find the wealth and luxury of our
sscitaes mingled with poverty and wretchedness.
"A crowded and constantly increasing urban pop
ulation suggests the impoverishment of rural
sections and discomfort with agricultural pur-'
0uiss.
No 49, IT,
na2nufacturerers are no longer solely the re-
yard Of sturdy industry and enlighted foresight,
aDut they result from the discrimi ating favor of
the Government and are largely built upon
a1He exaction from the masses of our people.
The gulf between employers and employed is
constantly widening and classes are rapidly
FORMING, one comprising the very rich and pow
efful, while in the other are found the toiling
poor.
Corporations which should be the carefully re-
strained creatures of the law aud the servants
OF the people are fast beoomin the peoples
masters. Still congratulatiug ourselves upon
the wealth and prosperity Of our country, and
apomplacently contemplating every incident of
change inseparable from the conditions.
It IL our duty patriotic citi-
sens to inquire at the present stage OF our pro-
gress how the bond Of the Government. made
with the people has been kept and performed.
INSTEAD Of limiting the tribute drawn from our
citizens to the necessities of its economical adj
anfnistration, the Government persists in ex-
piled and useless, lie dormant in its treasury
This dagrant injustice and this breach of faith
nnd obligation add to extortion the danger at
tending the diversion OF the currency of the
country from the legitimate channels of bust
-Acss.
Under the same laws by which the results
Wre produced the Government permits many
znilions more to be added to the cost OF living
OF our people ard to be taken from our
ssumers, which unreaso4ably swell the profits
of a small but powerful minority. The people
n.resst be tax d for the support OF the Govern
rxnent under the operation OF tariff laws. But
1xe inordinntely burdened beyond any
uscaul public purpose. and for the oene-
mt OF . favored few, the Government
sander a pretext Of an exercise of its taxing pow
yer, enters gratuitously into partnership with
these favorites to their advantage and to the
4nj0ry Of vast majority OF our people. This
1s not equality before the Law. The existing
situation is injurious to the health Of our entire
Eody polite. 1t stiles, in those for whose ben
eft it is permitted all patriotic love of country
and substitutes in its place selfish greed and
xrasln;HR avarice.
,XNen to the selfshness OF the benehciaries
-Ef 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 purpose OF our
Government dependent upon the patriotism
and contentment of our people, is endangered.
COMMUNISM is hateful thing, and a menace
TO peace and organized government But the
communism of combined wealth and capital
che outgrowth of overweaning cupidity and
aselfishness which insidiousy undermines the
justice and integrity of free institutions, is not
less dangerous than the communism of OPP
Ercssed poverty and toll which, exasperated
by injustice ana discomfort, attacks with wild
disorder the citadel OF rule.
He mocks the people who proposes that the
Government shall protect the rich aud that
they turn will care for the labOring poOrf
Any intermediary between the people and their
fhn 1no net 6nln of nft 1o0 ap0
and protection the Government owes to the
humblest citizen in the land, makes the boast
~of free institutions glitteriDg deluson and the
pretended boon of American citizenship .
HhAmeless imposition.
A just and sensible revision of our tariff laws
should be made for the relief of those of our
G,ountrymen who suffer under present condi-
lions. Such a revision should receive the sup
port of oil who love that justice and equality
due to American citizenship; of all who realize
chat in this justice and equality our Govern
meut finds its strength and power to
protect the citizen and his property;
cnent, competence and comfort of many
zecoord better with the spirit of our institutions
ahan colossal fortunes unfairly gathered in the
hands of few; Of all VINO appreciate that the
kTbearance and fraternity among our people.
which recognize the value of every Ameri an
Interest are the surest guaranty OF our national
EEogress, and Of all who desire to see the pro-
ducts Of American skill and ingenuity in
every market of the world, with re-
zsnlting restoration of American commerce.
Existing evils and intustices should be honestly
Recognized, boldly met and effectively RENE
died There should be no cessation of the
struggle until plan is perfected, fair and con-
zservative towards existing industries but which
RiM reduce the cost to consumers OF the neces-
8aries of lie, while it provides for our manu-
facturers the advantage OF free raw materials
and permits no injury to the interests OF Ameri-
can labor The cause for which the battle is
~waged is confined within lines clearly and dis
'a5nctiy defined 1t should never be compromised.
H Is the peoples cause.
It can not be denied that the selfish and pri-