Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-12-04

sonably demand, through such revision,
steadier employn ent, cheaper means of
living in their homes, freedom for them
selves and their children from the doom
of perpetual servitude and an open door to
their advancement beyond the limits of a
class. Others of our citizens
whose comforts and expenditures are
by moderate salaries and fixed
incomes, will insist upon the fairness and
justice of cheapening the cost of necessi-
ties for themselves and their families.
When to the selfshness of the benehceries
of 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
beneficent purposes of our Govern
contentment of our people, and that
Communism is a hateful thing and menace
to peace and organized government. But
the communism of combined wealth and
capital, the outgrowth of over-weening GU
pidity and selishness, which insiduously
undermines the justice and integrity of free
institutions, is not less dangerous than the
communism of oppressed poverty and
toll, which, exasperated by injustice and
discomfort, attack with wild disorder the
citadel of rule He mocks the people who
proposes that the Government shall protect
the rich, and they in turn will care for the
laboring poor. Any Intermediary between
the people and their government, or the
least delegation of the care and protection
the Government owes TO the humblest citi-
zen in the land, makes the boast of free
institutions glittering delusion, and the
pretended boon of American citizenship a
shameless imposition.
t,-ta IL - -, -
laws should be made for the relief of those
OF our countrymen who suffer under pres
ent conditions. Such a revision should re-
ceive the support of all who love that justice
and equality due to American citizenship ,
of all who realize that in 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,
accords better with the spirit of our insti-
tutions than colossal fortunes unfairly
gathered in hands of few of all who
appreciate thst the forbearance and fratern-
ity among our people, which recognize the
value of all American interests, and the
surest guaranty of our national progress ::
and of all who desire to see the product of
American skill and ingenuity in every
market in the world, with a resulting
restoration of American commerce.
The necessity for the reduction of our
revenues is so apparent as to be generally
conceded, but the means by which this end
shall be accomplished, aud the sum of d.
rect benefit which shall result to our citi-
zens, present controversy of the utmost
importance. There should be no scheme
accepted as satisfactory by which the bur-
dens of the people are only apparently re
moved. Extravagant appropriations of
public money, with all their demoralizing
should not be tolerated,
either as means of relieving the Treasury
OF its present surplus or as furnishing pre-
texts Tor 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
perfected, fair and conservative toward ex-
isting industries, and which will reduce the
cost to consumers of the necessaries of life
while il provides for our manufacturers the
advantage of freezer raw materials and per-
mits no injury to the interests of American
labor. The cause for which the battle is
waged is comprised within lines clearly and
defined. 1t should not be COM
promised; it is the peoples cause.
1t cannot be denied that the selfish and
heard when efforts are made to deal in a
just and comprehensive manner with our
tariff laws, are related to, if they are Aot
for, the sentiment largely pre-
vailing among the people that the general
Government is the fountain of individual
and private aid that it may be expected to
relieve with paternal care the distress of
citizens and communities; and that from
the fullness of its treasury it should, upon
the slightest possible pretext of pro-
noting the general good, apply pub
lie funds to the benefit of locali-
ties and individuals. Nor can it
be denied that there is growing
that, as against the Govern
ment and in favor of private claims and
the usual rules and limitations of
business principles and just dealings should
be waived. These ideas have been, unhap-
PLY, much encouraged by legislative acqui-
escence. Relief from contracts made with
the Government is too easily accorded in
favor of the citizen. The failure to sup
port claims against the Government by
proof is often supplied by no better consid-
Grafton than the wealth of the Government
and the poverty of the claimant. Gratui-
ties in the form of pensions are granted
upon no 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 representations scarcely claimed to be
related to public needs and necessities, to
the extent to which the consideration of
such matters are subordinate and postpone
action upon subjects of great public i'm
portanee, but involving no special private
or partisan interests, should arrest attention
and lead to reformation.
THE COURTS.
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 suitors and denial
Of justice resulting therefrom, has been
strongly urged upon the attention of Con-
gress, with plan for the relief of the situa-
ton, 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 holding
of terms of inferior Courts at places to suit
the convenience OF localities, or to lay the
foundation of an application for the erec-
ton 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 SpOliatlOn ana diversion TO other
uses than for homes of settlers might be
prevented. While measure to meet this
conceded necessity of reform remains,
awaiting the action of Congress, many
claims to the public lands and applications
for their donation IN favor Of States and
individuals have been allowed.
INDIAN RESERVATION.
A plan in aid of Indian management is
recommended by those well informed, as
containing valuable features. The solution
of the Indian problem has thus far failed
of legislative sanction. while grants OF
doubtful expediency to railroad corpora
lions, permitting them 10 pass through In
dian reservations, have greatly multiplied.
BUILDINGS FOB WASHINGTON.
The propriety and necessity OF the eree-
ton of one or more prisons for the confne.
ment of United States oonvicts, and g Post
Office building in the National Capital are
net disputed. These needs yet remain M
answered, while scores Of public buildings
have been erected where their necessity for
public purposes is not apparent.
PENSION LAWS.