Omaha daily bee., 1888-12-04
SELFISH LEGISLATION.
Charges of Subordinating Public
Veal to Private Ends.

Nor can it be denied that there is a grow
ing assumption that, as against the govern
mcnt and in favor OF private claims and in
t~erests, the usual rules and limitations of
business principles and just dealings should
be waived. These ideas have been unhappily
much encouraged by legislative acquiescence.
Relief from contracts made with the govern
mcnt is too easily acCeded in favor of
the citizen; the failure TO support
claims against the government by
proof, is often supported by no better consid-
Grafton than the wealth of the government
and the poverty of the claimant. Gratuities
In the form of pensions are granted upon
other real ground than the needy condition
of the applicant or for reasons less valid;
and large sums are expended for public
buildings and other improvements upon rep.
reservations scarcely claimed to be related
10 public needs and necessities. The entent
TO which the consideration of such matters
subordinate and postponSs action hI
M;pom subjects IS, OF t,iu great public
special private or partisan interests, should
arrest attention and lead to reformation. A
few of the numerous illustrations of this con-
dltiOn may be stated.
SUPREME COURT CALENDAR.
The crowded condition of the calendar of
the supreme court, and the delay to suitors
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 who are well
able to judge of its merits. While this sub
3ect remains without effective consideration
many avs have been passed providing for
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 a new public building.
PUBLIC LANDS.
Repeated recommendations have been
submitted for the amendment
and change OF the laws relating to our public
lands so that their spoliation and diversion to
other uses than for homes of honest settlers
might be prevented, While a measure to
meet this conceded necessity of reform, re-
mains awaiting the action OF congress many
claims TO the public lands and applications
for their donation in favor of states and Iudi-
viduals have been allowed.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
A plan In aid of Indian management rec
commended by those well informed as con.
tanning 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.
UNITED STATES PRISONS,
The propriety aud necessity of erection of
one or more prisons for the confinement of
United States c~onvlcts, and u postoffice
building in the national capitol are not dis
puted. But these needs yet remain unah-
swered while scores Of public buildings have
been erected where their necessity for public
purposes is not apparent.
PENSIONS.
A revision OF our pension laws could be
easily made which would rest upon just prin-
ciples and provide for every worthy appli-
cant. But while our general pension laws
remain confused and imperfect hundreds OF
our private pension law are annually passed
which are the sources of unjust dlscrimina-
tlpn aud popular decentralization
APPROPRIATIONS.
Appropriation bills for the support OF tho
government are defaced by items and pro-
visions to meet private ends, aud it is freely
asserted by responsible and experienced
parties that a bill appropriating money for
public internal Improvement would fail to
more for local and private advantage than
for public benefit. These statements can be
mach emphasized by assertalnment of the
proportion of federal legislation which either
which upon examination develops such a
motive power; and yet the people wait and