Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-12-05
SCORING CONGRESS.
Members Accused of NegIecting the
Needs of the Nation.

Members Accused of NegIecting the
Needs of the Nation.
| Repeated recommendations have been submit
| ted for the amendment and change of the laws
relating to public lands that their perversiou
| to other uses than for homes of honest settlers
might be prevented. While measure to meet
this conceded necessity of reform remains await
ing the action of Congress- many claims to the pub
| lie lands and applications for their donation I'm
favor of states and individuals have been allowed
! A plan in aid of Indian management recon-
mended by those well-intormed containing
valuable features In furthersnce of the solution
of the Indian problem has thus far failed of leg
islative sanction while grants of doubtful expe-
| diency to railroad corporations permitting them
| to pass through Indian reservations have great
| ly multiplied. The pFopriety and necessity OF
the erection of one Or more prisons for the con-
fnement of United States ,convicts and post.of-
flee building in the national capital not dis
puted; but these needs yet remain unanswered
while scores of public buildings have been erect.
ed where their necessity for public purpose is not
| apparent. revision of our pension laws could
! easily be MADE which would rest upon just prin-
ciples and provide for every worthy applicant;
but while our general pension laws remain
confused and Imperfect, hundreds of
private pezsion Laws are annually
| Just discrimination and popular decentralization.
Appropriation bills for the support OF the gov
= rnment de1aced by items and provisions to
private endg. and it lis freely asserted by re-
sponslble and experienced parties that bill ap-
propriating money tor public internal improve
Inent would fail to meet with favor unless It con-
than for public benefit
These statements can be much emphasized by
an ascertailment or the proportion OF federal
legislation which either bears upon its face its
private character of which, upon examination
develops such motive power. And yet the peo-
pie walt and expect from their chosen represen-
tatives such patriotic action win advance the
welfare of the entire country; and this exception
can only be answered by the performance OF pub
lie dusg, with unsel6sn purpose. Our mission
among ahe nations OF the earth and our success
in accomplishing what God has given the Amer
lean people to do. require of these in
trusted with the making and execution
of our laws perfect devotion. above 'aiI
other things. TO the public good
This devotion will lead us to strongly resist all
Impotence OF constitutional limitations or fed
eral power.aand to persistently check theincreas-
ing tendency to extend the scope of federal Leg
lslatlon into the domain of state and local uris-
diction upon the plea Of subserying the PUBLIC
welfare. The preservation vi the PARTITIONS be-
tween proper subjects OF federal anG local care
and reg uat ons are of such i'm portance under the
constitution, which is the law Of our We ry exist
ences that no consideration of expediency or
sentiment should tempt us to enter upon doubt
full ground.
We have undertaken TO discover and proclaim
the richest blessings OF a Tree government with
the constitution as our guide. Let us follow the
way it points out Il will not mislead US AND
surely no one who has taken upon himeelf the
n 70 ana the
dislcyalty ia the excuse that he wandered and
disobeyed in search of better way to reach the
public welfare than the constitution offers
What has been said Is deemed not iuappropti-
ate al q time when, from a century's height we
view the way already trod by the American peo-
pie and attempt to discover their future path.
The seventh president of the United States-the
soldier and statesman and at all times the brave
MEND of the people-in vindication OF his course
as the protector OF the popular rights and the
champion OF true American citizenship, de-
clared: 1.-THE ambition which leads me on lie an
anxious desire and fixed determination to re-
store to the people unimpaired the sacred trust
they have contded to nay charge: to heal the
wounds of the constitution and to preserve IL
from further violation; to persuade my country
men. 80 far as may. that It is not in q splendid
government supported by powerful monopolies
and aristocrat1cal establishments that they will
In plain system. void of pemp-protecting ali
and granting favors TO none-dispensing Its
blessings ike the dews OF heaven unseen and
nnfeit save In the freshness AMI beauty they CEN
tribute to produce" i is such . governmsnt