Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-12-14
mcnt dependent upon the patriotism and
coatentment of our people are endangered.

mcnt dependent upon the patriotism an,
contentment Of our people are endangered.
eoMMuNIsM.
Communism is hateful thing and menac
: to peace and organized government But tn
. communism OF combined wealth and capital
the outgrowth Of overweentng cuptdtty aud
selfehness, which insidtously undermine tn,
Justice and integrity Of free institutions Il
not less dangerous than the communion, ant
injustice and discomfort, attack with wili
disorder the cttadel of rule He mocks tn,
people who proposes that the government
shall protect the rich and that they In turr
will care for the laboriug poor. Any inter
medtary between the people and their gov
protection which the government owes to .hs
hulnblest citizen In the land, makes the boast
of DEMONSTRATIONS glittering delusion and
the pretended boon of American citizenship
} shameless imposition.
REVISION OF THE TARIFF.
A Just and sensible revision of our tariff
laws should be made for the relief Of oul
couutrymcn who suffer under the presen,
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 finds its strength and ito
power to protect the citizen and his property
Of all who believe that the contented cumpe-
tence and comfort of many accord better
with the spirit of our institutions than the
colossal fortunes unfairly gathered In the
hands Of a few. OF all WAC appreciate that
that the forbea ance and fraternity among
our people which recognizes the value Of every
American interest is the surest guaranty
OF our national progress, and of all who de-
sire to see the products Of American skill and
ingenuity in every market of the world with
resulting restoration OF American CON-
mcrce.
Tie necessity of the reduction Of our rev.
enue is SO apparent as to be generally con.
coded, but the means by which this end shall
be accomplished, and the sum OF direct bene-
fit which shall result to our citizens present q
subject of the utmost Importance. There
should be NO scheme accepted as satisfactory
by which the burdens of the people are only
apparently removed. Extravagant appropria-
tiOns of public money with all their democrat.
iztng consequences should not be tolerated,
either as a means of relieving the treasury of
Its present surplus or as furnishing pretexts
for resisting proper reduction in tariff rates.
The existing evils and injustice should be
honestly recognized boldly met and effect
lively remedied. There should be no cessation
OF the struggle until plan Is perfected Tor
fair and conservative adjustment toward ex-
| listing industries, but which will reduce the
cost to consumers of the necessaries of life,
Il
advantage of frcer raw materials aud permits
| no Injury to the interests of American labor
The cause for which the battle is waged is
comprised within the liues clearly and dis
ttnctly defined: 1t should never be
1t cannot be denied that the selfish and
private interests which are so persistently
heard when efforts are made toward dealing
with another adjustment of our tariff laws
are responsible for the sentiment largely
prevailing among the people thai the general
government is the fountain of individual and
private aid. That 1t may be expected to re-
lieve with paternal care the distress OF citi-
zens and committees, and that from the full-
ness Of Its treasury 1t should, upon the slight
est possible rretext of promoting the gem
eral good, apply public funds to the benefit
of localities and individuals Nor can 1t be
denied that there is a growing assumption
| that as against the government and in favor
| OF the private claims and interests the usual
| rules and limitations of business principles
| and just dealings should be waived. These
ideas have been unhappily much encouraged
by Legislative acqniescence. Reli. 4 from con-
accorded in favor of the citizen. The failures
| to support claims against the gov
eminent by proof is often supplied by
| no better consideration than the
wealth of the government and the pow
erty of the claimant. Gratuities in the form
than the needy condition Of the applicant or
| for reasons. less valid, and large sums are ex-
| pended for public buildings and other i'm
provements upon representations scarcely
| claimed to be related to public needs and
necessities. To the extent to which the con-
stderation OF such matters subordinate and
postpone action upon subjects of great
public Importance but involving no special
private or partisan interests, should arrest
attention and lead to reformation.
few Of the numerous Illustrations of this
condition may be stated. The crowded con-
! and the delay to suitors and the denial of
justice resulting therefrom, has been strongly
urged upon The attention of the congress with
plan for the relief of the situation approved
by those we'll able to Judge OF its merits.
1 While the subject remains without effe tive
consideration, many laws have been passed
proviiing for the holding of terms of Inferior
courts at places to suit the convenience of
localities, or to lay the foundation of an ap-
| plicatton for the erection OF new public
building.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
| Repeated recommendations have been SUBJ
| mitted for the amendment and change of the
laws relating to our public lands SO that their
spoilation and diversion to other uses than
for homes of honest settlers might be pre-
vented, while measure to meet this con-
coded necessity of reform remains awaiting
| tne acUlOn OF congress. many Claims TO the
public lands and applications for their dona-
ton In favor of states and individuals have
been allowed.
A plan in aid Of Indian management, rec
commended by those well informed as contain
ing valuabl features in the furtherance of
the solution Of the Indian problem has thus
far failed legislative sanction, while grants
of doubtful expedieucy to railroad corpora
tions, permitting them to pass through In
dian reservations have greatly multipl ed.
The propriety and necessity Of the erection
of one or more prisons for the confinement Of
United States convicts and postof1ice build
ing in the national capitol 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.
A revision of our pension laws could be
easily made which would rest upon just
principals and provide for every worthy ap.
plicant, but while our general pension laws
remain confused and imperfect, hundreds Of
our private pension laws are annually pas ed
which are the sources Of urIyst dAcrimtna-
tlon :.l1 pop....a1f -llolastzatl6n. App@oprl-
alton bills for the support of the government
are defaced by items and provisions to meet
private ends and 1t is freely asserted by re.