Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
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HANGED prices for the things they need. that the
scanty returns Of their labor fail to furnish
their support or leave no margin for accunu-
lation.
Our workingnen, enfranchised from all de-
l1sions and no longer frightened by the cry
that their wages are endangered by Just re-
vision of our tariff laws, will reasonably de-
mznd 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 q laboring class. Others of our citi-
zens whose comforts and expenditures are
measured by moderate salaries and liked IN
comes, viii insist upon the fairness and justice
Of cheapeUng the cost of necessaries for
themselves and their families. When to the
selfishness of the benefciaries Of unit dis
elimination under our laws there shall De
added the discomfort of those who suffer from
that the benefcent purposes OF our govern
ment. dependent upon the PATRIOTISM and con-
tentment Of our people, are endangered
COMMUNISM AGAINST COMBINED cAHrAI-
Communism is a hateful thing, and menace
to peace and organized government. But the
communism of combined wealth and capital,
the outgrowth of overweening cupidity and
selfishness, which insidiously undermines the
Justice and integrity of free institutions is not
less dangerous than the communism of OPP
pressed poverty and toll which. exasperated
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 be-
tween 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
glittering delusion 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 condi-
lions. Such a 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 its strength andits power to protect
the citizen and his property, Of all who believe
that the contented competence and comfort of
many accord better with the spirit of our in
situations than colossal fortunes unfairly gath
cred in the hands of a few, Of all who appre-
ciate that the forbearance and fraternity
among our people, which recognize the value
of every American interest, are the surest
guaranty of our national progress, and of all
who desire to see the products of American
skill and ingenuity in every market of the world
with a resulting restoration OF American COM
merce. The necessity of the reduction of our rev.
enue is SO apparent as 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 citiZans, present a contro-
versy of the utmost Importance. There should
be no scheme accepted as satisfactory by which
the burdens of the people are only apparently
removed.
with all their demoralizing consequences,
hnr1l6 n0t ha nla of
relieving the treasury of its present surplus,
as furnishing pretext for resisting proper
reduction in tariff rates. Existing evils and
injustice should be honestly recognized. boldly
met and effectively remeded. There should
be no cessation of the struggle until plan is
perfected. fair and conservative toward exist
ing industries. but which will reduce the cost
to consumers of the necessaries of life, while
it provides for our manufacturers the advan-
tage of freer raw materials and permits no
injury TO the interests of American labor The
cause for which the battle is waged is COM
prised within lines clearly and distinctly de-
fined. 1t should never be compromised 1t is
the peoples cause.
1t cannot be denied that the selfish and pri-
vate interests which are so persistently heard.
when efforts are made to deal in a just and
comprehensive manner with our tariff laws
are related to, if they are not responsible for,
the sentiment largely prevailing among 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 il should.
upon the slightest possible pretcxt of promot-
ing the general good. apply public funds to the
benefit of localities and individuals. Nor can
il be denied that there Is a growing assumption
that. against the government and in favor
of private claims and interests, the usual rules
and limitations of business principles and Just
dealings should be waived.
ENCOURAGED By CONGRESS.
These ideas have been unhappily much en-
couraged by legislative aequiescence. Relief
from contracts made with the government is
too easily accorded in favor of the citizen; the
failure to support claims against the govern
ment by proof is often supplied by no better
consideration than the wealth of the govern
ment and the poverty of the claimant; gratui-
ties in the form of pensions 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. The extent to which the con-
alteration Of such matters subordinate and
postpone action upon subjects of great public
Importance, but involving no special, private.
or partisan interest, should arrest attention
and lead to reformation.
SHARP CRITICISM OF CONGRESS-.
A few of the numerous illustrations of this
condition may be stated The crowded condi-
ton Of the calendar Of the Supreme Court, and
the delay to suitors and denial of Justice re-
sulting therefrom, has been strongly urged
upon the attention of the Congress, with a plan
for the reliefof 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
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.
Repeated recommendations have been sub
mitted for the amendment and change of the
laws relating to our public lands so that their
spollation and diversion to other uses than as
homes for honest settlers might be prevented
While a measure to meet this conceded neces-
sity of reform remains awaiting the action of
the Congress, many claims to the public lands
and applications for their donation. in favor of
states and individuals. have been allowed
plan in aid of Indian management recon-
mended by those well informed, as containing
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, permit
ting them TO pass through Indian reservations,
have greatly multiplied.
The propriety and necessity of the erection
Of one or more prisons for the confinement of
United States convicts, and post-office build
ing in the national capitol, are not disputed.
But these needs yet remain unanswered, while
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