The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1889-12-29
THE UNKNOWN GOOD A MAN
DOES.


1T IS estimated, but somewhat
loosely, that in most civilized coun-
tries one-third Of the products of prop
erty is taken by the government
This is a startling increase over the
1.-THE or tenth part that used to be the
rule. If the calculation be correct
il is not likely that the United States
can be claimed as an exception. We
have not an expensive royal family
TO maintain; neither does a large
standing army drain us of our resour-
ces. But we have government with
in government, and as consequence
an immense array of public servants
The efforts to get on the pay roll of
some Of our many forms of govern
ment are incessant; while the insist
ance of the general public is weak and
scattered. We may be said to have
at this time 100000 of male adults.
At least 100000 of this number are
drawing pay from city, state or nat.
ional government, as firemen, police
men, soldiers, sailors, pensioners of all
arms, clerks, officials, postmasters.
collectors, judges, prosecuting officers,
notaries, sherifs, deputies, recorders.
teachers and legislators.
That one man out Of every twelve
should have pull of some kind on
the government is surprising. But
the chances are that the estimate is
rather under than over the mark. For
one item we pay more to pensioners,
but that is the item least open to OBJ
lection, than is sufficient for the main
tenance OF the great French army.
The vast host on the pay-rolls is partly
caused 10y beneficial operations on the
part of the government, which call for
a large expenditure. The poor laws
of queen Elizabeth were the first move
ment in that direction. The princi-
pal is, that the man or woman who
has grown old and is not able to labor
any more, should not be suffered to
depend for the prolongation of Life on
chance aims, or die like dogs in the
streets. This form of benevolence is
now local, and every man who has real
or personal property contributes to
the fund when he pays his taxes. The
pauper has, in a sense, Lien on the
well-to-do, which can be enforced.
1t was next thought that education
should be maintained at the general
expense. Society has come to recog-
nize the fact that it is due to itself
that knowledge should be dissemina-
ted. As consequence. everybody
who has property aids in supporting
the common schools. Various appar-
ent anomalies are The result. Many
people who have no children have to
pay money to educate the children Of
other people. IL the taxpayer, how
ever, be man of moderate wealth, lie
has an advantage The education Of
his children is conducted for much
less then he would otherwise have to
pay. As matter of fact, other and
richer men help him along There is
a long string of this apparent one
sidedness. Police and courts are
maintained by those who pay taxes,
not for their own benefit exclusively,
but as well for those who pay no taxes
directly. Lights and paved streets
are supplied gratis, to those who never
make The acquaintance Of the tax col
lector. Firemen are employed TO pat
out fires without charge in every house
that is attacked by the devouring ele
ment.
The question of the moment is to
determine where this kind of thing
is going 30 end. It is the process OF
taking from those who have acquired
property for the benefit of those who
have none. Society has found its
account heretofore in the lessening
of human misery, the greater safety of
life and property. the greater order
anddecorun of civilization, the ad-
vancement OF learning and the pro-
motion of human happiness. But
none of these functions are strictly
governmental. The object of govern
ment primarily, is to preserve order
and @-6ght off the public enemy.
Strictly speaking. all the other func-
tions should be left TO private inltia-
ton. But We have made such ad-
vanees In the beneficial operation OF
government, that there can be no
retrograde movement, nor is 1t desir-
able that there should be. Even the
skinhint, if he have property, must
contribute to the support OF the IN
digent, helpless and sick; he must pay
for the education of other peoples
children: he must provide streets,
lights and assistance of various other
kinds in certain contingencies for his
fellow citizens.
No man can now know the extent
and the amount OF good which ne is
compelled, no matter what may be bis
position, 30 do in the course OF has
life. He has go knowledge OF the
suferings which he alleviates or the
thirst for knowledge which he has
queached. But not content with these
assessments on the fortunate, or more
properly speaking, the thrifty, IN IA
vor Of those whose lives are not cast
in SO pleasant places, new school OF
doctrinoireS has been organized,
which proposes to take not the one
th;fd which is now levied, but all
rT7s L. 4 L. o@r7r n