The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-12-14

abate for the benefit of others one iota OF |
selfish advantage, and in combinations to per- |
potuate such advantages through efforts TO |
control legislation and improperly influences |
the suffrages of the people
The grievances of those not included with |
in the circle of these beneAciaries, when fully
realized, will surely arouse irritation and
discomfort. Our farmers, long suffering and
patient, struggling in the race of life with tho
hardest and most unremitting toll, will not
fail TO see, in spite OF Misrepresentation and
misleading fallacies that they are obliged to
accept such prices for their products as are
fixed in foreign markets where they compete
with the farmers of the world that their
lands are declining in value while their debts
increase; and that without compensating
favor they are forced by the action Of the
government to pay, 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 mar.
gin for accumulation.
woRKINGMEN DEMAND RELIEF.
Our workingmen, enfranchised from all de-
lusions and no longer frightened by the cry
that their wages are endangered by just re-
vision of our tariff laws, will reasonably de-
mand through such revision steadier employ
ment cheaper means Of living in their homes,
freedom for themselves and their children
from the doom Of perpetual servitude, and an
open door to their advancement beyond the
limits of laboring class. Others Of our citi-
zens whose comforts and expenditures are
measured by moderate salaries and fixed in
comes, will insist upon the fairness and jus
tice of cheapening the cost of necessaries for
themselves and their families
When to the sefshness of the beneficiaries
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 benefcent purposes
Of our government, dependent upon the pa
triotism and contentment of our people, are
endangered.
Communism is hateful thing and a men-
ace to peace and organized government. But
the communism of combined wealth and capi-
tai, the outgrowth of overweening cupidity
and selfshness, which insidiously undermines
the justice and integrity of free institutions,
is not less dangerous than the communism of
oppressed poverty and toll, which, exasper-
ated by injustice and discomfort, attacks with
wild disorder 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 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 citizen in the land, makes
the boast of free institutions a glittering de-
lusion and the pretended boon of American
citizenship shameless imposition.
A Just and sensible revision of our tariff
laws should be made for the relief of those
of our countrymen who suffer under present
conditions Such revision should receive
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 fn5s its strength and its
power to protect the citizen and his property,
of all who believe that the contented COM
petence and comfort of many accord better
with the spirit of our institutions than colos-
sal fortunes unfairly gathered in the hands
of u few, of all who appreciate that the for
bearance and fraternity among our people,
which recognize the value of every Ameri-
can interest, are the surest guaranty of our
national progress, and of all who d re to see
| the products of American skill and ingenuity
| in every market of the world with result
ing restoration of American commerce.
| NECESSITY FOR REVENUE REDUCTION.
| The necessity of the reduction of our revenue
is so apparent to be generally conceded.
| But the means by which this end shall be ac-
complished and the sum of direct benefit
| which shall result to our citizens, present a
| controversy of the utmost Importance. There
|
| by which the burdens of the people are only
apparently removed. Extravagant appro-
prlations of public money, with all their
| demoralizing consequences should not be
| tolerated, either as means of relieving the
| treasury of its present surplus, or as furnish
| ing pretext for resisting proper reduction in
tariff rates. Existing evils and injustice
should be honestly recognized, boldly met,
and effectively remedied There should be
no cessation of the struggle until a plan is
| perfected, fair and conservative toward ex-
isting industries, but which will reduce the
cost to consumers of the necessaries of life,
while it provides for our manufacturers the
advantage of freer raw material and permits
no injury to the interests of American labor
The cause for which the battle is waged is
comprised within lines clearly and distinctly
defined. 1t should never be compromised
1t is the peoples cause.
1t cannot be denied that the selfish and
private interests which are so persistently
heard when efforts made to deal in a
Just and comprehensive manner with our
| tariff laws are related to, if they are not re-
sponsible for, the sentiment largely prevail.
ing among the people, that the general gov
ernment is the fountain of individual and
private aid that it may be expected to re-
| heve with paternal care the distress of citi.
| xsuS anu anu lIOin bllt
fullness of its treasury it should, upon the
slightest possible pretext Of promoting tn,
general good, apply public funds to the ben
eft of localities and individuals Nor can II
be denied that there is a growing assumption
that, as against the government and in favol
Of private claims and interests, the usua
rules and limitations of business principles
and just dealing should be waived.
These ideas have been uuhappily much en-
couraged by legislative acquiescence Relic
from contracts made with the government il
too easily accorded in favor Of the citizen; th
failure to support claims against the gov
ernment by proof, is often supplied by NJ
better consideration than the wealth
of toe government and the poverty
OF the claimant; gratuites in the form
of pensions are granted upon no othe
real ground than the needy condition Of tn
applicant, or for reasons less valid; and larg
sums are expended for public buildings and
other improvements upon representation
scarcely claimed to be related to public need
and necessities.
LEGISLATION IMrEDED
The extent to which the consideration O
such matters subordinate and postpone aC
tion upon subjects of great public impor
tance, but involving no special, private o
|
and lead to reformation.
A few of the numerous illustrations c
this condition may be stated.
The crowded condition of the calendar q
the supreme court, and the delay to suitoI
and denial of justice resulting therefrom, ha
been strongly urged upon the attention {
the congress, with plan for the relief Of ii
= situation approved by those well able
judge of its merits While this subject r.
mains without effective consideration man
laws have been passed providing for Il
holding Of terms of inferior courts at place
TO suit the convenience of localities, or to la
: the foundation of an application for the ere
ton of a new public building
Repeated recommendations have been sui
mitted for the amendment and change of Il
laws relating to our public lands so that the
spoliation and diversion to other uses than
homes for honest settlers might be prevente
While measure to meet this conceded nece
sity of reform remains awaiting the action
the congress, many claims to the publ
lands and applications for their donation,
favor of state and individuals, have bee
allowed
plan in aid of Indian management, I
= commended by those we'll informed, as co
tanning valuable features in furtherauce
the solution of the Indian problem has tn
far failed of legislative sanction, while gran
OF doubtful expediency to railroad corpor
uons, permitting them TO pass through
dian reservations, have greatly multiplied.
A Al.