Huntsville gazette., 1888-12-08

suffrages of the people, The grievances of
those not included within the circle Of these
benefciares, when fully realized, will surely
arouse Irritation and discomfort. Our farm
ers, long-suferng and patient, struggling
IN the race OF life with the hardest and most
unremittlDg TOLL Will not fail to see, in spite of
Misrepresentation and misleading fallacies,
that they are obliged to accept such . rices for
their products as are fixed in foreign markets
where they compete with tho farmers of
the world; that their lands are declining in
value, while their debts ine.ease, and that
without compensatng favor thy are forced by
the action of the Government to nav 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 YOrKingmen, enfranchised from all delu-
sion ans no longer frightened by the cry that
their wages are endangered. by just revision
or our tariff laws, will reasonably demand,
through such division steadier employment.
cheaper l. cans of living in their homes, free
dom for themselves and their children from the
doom OF perpetual seryitude, and an open door
to advancement beyond the limits of a la
boring class Others of our citizens whose
comforts and expenditures are measured by
moderate salaries and fixed incomes will insist
upon the fairness and justice of cheapening
the cost of necessaries for themselves and
their families. When to the seltishness
of the benefciaries of unjust discrimina-
hon under our laws there shall be
added the discomfort Of those who suffer from
such discrimination we will realize the fact
that the beneficial purpose OF our Government
dependent upon the patriotism and content
ment OF our people are endangered.
Communism is hateful thing, and menace
to peace and organized government. But the
communism OF combined wealth and capital,
the outgrowth of oyerweanlng cupidity
and selfishness, which insiduously under
mines the justice and integrity of free
institutions, is not less dangerous than
the communis ism OF oppressed poverty and toll
which, exasperated by injustice and discomfort,
attacks with wild dis rder the citadel OF rule.
He mocks the people who proposes that the
Government shall protect the rich and that
they in turn will care for the labOrng poor.
Any intermediary between the people and their
Government, or the least delegation OF the care
and protection our Government owes to the
humblest citizen in the land, makes the boast OF
free institutions gittering delusion and the
pretended boon of American citizenship a
shameless imposition.
TARIFF REVISION.
A just and sensible revision of our tariff laws
should be made for the relief OF those of our
countrymen who suffer under present condi-
tione, Such revision should receive the 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 Govern
ment finds it's strength and its power to protect
the citizen and his property of oil who believe
that the contented competence and comfort OF
many accord better with the spirit OF our nstt-
tutions than colossal fortunes unfairly gathered
in the hands OF few; of all who appreciate
that the forbearance and fraternity among
our people which recognize the value OF every
American interest, are the surcst guaranty
to see the products of American skill and in-
genuity in every market OF the world with q re
sulting restoration of American commerce.
THE REVENUE.
The necessity of the reduction of our revenue
is apparent as to be generally conceded.
But the means by which this end shall be ac-
cor1plished, and the sum of direct benefit
which shall result to our citizens, present q
controversy of the utmost importaaee. There
should be no scheme accepted as satisfactory
by which the burdens OF the people are only
apparently removed. Extravagant 3pproprIa-
tions of public money, with all their demoraliz-
ing consequences should not be tolerated,
either as a means Of relieving the treasury OF
It's present surplus, or as furnishing pretexts
for resisting proper reduction in tariff rates
Existing evils and injustice should
be honestly recognized boldly met
and effectually remedied There should be
no cessation OF the struggle until plan is per-
fected. fair and conservative, toward existing
industries but which will reduce the cost to
consumers of the necessaries or life, Whlle IL
provides for our manufacturers the advantages
Of freer raw material and permits no injury to
the interest of American labor. The cause Tor
which the battle is waged IS comprised Wlthin
lines clearly and distinctly defined. 1t should
never be compromised. It is the peoples
cause
II can not be denied that the selfish
and private interests which are SO perslstently
heard, when efforts are male 10 deal IN lust
and comprehensive manner with our tarIn
laws, are related to, if they are
not responsible for, the sentiment
general Government is'the fountain OF lndlVid-
ual and private aid; that it may pc expected
to relieve with paternal care the distress OF
citizens and communities, ana tnaJ from tlie
fullness of its treasury 1t should, Upon the
slightest possible pretext OF promoting the
general good, apply public funds to the Denent
of localities and individuals. Nor can
it be denied that there is growing
assumption that, as against the Government
and in favor of private claims anu interests
the usual rules and limitations Of business
dealing should
These ideas have been unhappily much en-
c0uraged by legislative. .acquiescence. Relief
from contracts made with the Government is
too easily accorded in favor Of the citizen, as
the failure to support claims against the Gov
ernment by proof is often supplied by no bet
ter consideration than the wealth OF the Gov
ernment and the poverty Of the claimant;
Gratuites in form of pensions are granted
on no other real ground than the
needy condition Of the applicant, or for reasons
less valid; and large sums are expended Tor
public buildings and other Improvements upon
representations scarcely claimed to be related
to public needs and necessities. The extent 10
which the consideration of such matters subor-
dinate and postpone action upon SUBJECTS OF
great public Importance. but involving no spe-
5ial private or partisan interest, should arrest
attention and lead to reformation.
NEEDED LEGISLATION.
A few of the numerous illustrations OF this
condition NAV be stated The crowded cond-
tion of the calendar of the Supreme Court, and
the delay to suitors and denial If justice result
ing therefr0m, mas Decn strongly urged upon Iue
attention of the Congress, with plan for the
reliet OF the situation approved by those well
able to Judge of its merits While this subject
remains without effective consideration. many
laws have been passed providing for the hold
ing 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 a new public building.
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 pre-
vented. While a measure to meet this con-
ceded necessity Of reform remains awaiting the
action of the Congress, many claims TO the
lands and applications for their donation IN
favor of States and individuals have been al
lowed.
A plan in aid of Indian management recon-
mended by those well informed, as containing
valuable features in furtherance Of the solu-
ton Of the Indian problem, has thus far failed
Of legislative sanction, while grants of doubt
full expediency to railroad corporations, per-
mitting them to pass through Indian reserva-
tions have greatly multiplied
The propriety and necessity of the erection of
one or more prisons for confinement of United
States convicts and post-office 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
apparent.
q revision nf our neuSion laws coIlId easily