The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1889-09-24
PROSTITUTION OF THE GOVERNMENT.

zone of the most discouraging signs
of the times is the growing disposition
among certain classes of people to rely
upon the Government for assistance IN
their private business"
Thus writes Hon. J. G. Carlisle in an
able article in the National Democrat, the
new and aggressive Democratic journal
published at the seat of government.
Mr.. Carlisle is as brilliant writer as
he is a speaker. He thoroughly familiar
ICES himself with every detail OF a subject
before expressing his views, and on this
question of prostitution of the Govern
ment he calls the attention of the people
to matter requiring serious thought and
prompt action.
This demand of trusts and combines
for continued and increased governmental
aid is becoming to much chronic dis
ease. The knife of the surgeon, Tariff
Reform, must be used upon it.
Our overgrown Intant Industries"
have for too long been coddled and nurs-
ed at the governmental breast. 1t is
time for them to quit their babyish ways
and do something for the support of the
indulgent parent that has fed them ''pap"
until they bulge out at the sides.
In his article Mr.. Carlisle says, and be
it said to the shame of the American peo-
pie, says truly, that "the spirit Of indie
pendence and self-reliance which in former
times constituted the chief characteristic
of the American citizen, and made him
enterprising and successful in business as
we'll as a safe custodian of political power,
is rapidly disappearing, and in nearly
every branch Of industry there is per-
sistent demand for governmental aid in
one form or another"
Continuing, Mr.. Carlisle says: "This
scramble for subsidies, bounties and
special class legislation in all it's
various forms is demoralzing and injuri-
Gus in all its aspects. 1t not only de-
stroys the independence of the beneficial
rles, but it prostitutes the powers of the
government, debauches Legislative bodies
and corrupts the elective franchise itself.
This was not intended to be a paternal
government. 1t is neither charitable
institution nor Joint stock corporation
created tor the purpose OF transactlng, or
assisting in the transaction, of ordinary
business, but all the powers it possesses
were delegated to it for public purposes
only, and every attempt to exercise them
for the benefit of the few at the expense
of the many, however it may be disguised,
is a palpable departure from the spirit of
the constitution"
IT'S true that this was not intended to
be a paternal government, nor was it
meant to be run as a charitable institu-
ton, but under the Harrison Administra-
ton the government does have to play
"daddy" to IIarrison's kith and kin and
to his "poor rclatives,' a charitable nsti-
tuition.
If halt is not called what will the
country come to:
"In the prosecution Of these schemes
for private GAIN" says Mr.. Carlisle,
"powcrful combinations are nearly al
ways formed. The personal interests of
large classes OF voters are appealed to
and the public man who dares to oppose
them is vigorously denounced as an en-
envy Of the industry or enterprise pro-
posed to be benefited, and, if he persists,
is threatened with defeat at the polls.
And too often this threat is actually exc
cuted."
Then there is another Prostitution
that of the ballot-which, as Mr.. Carlisle
tersely says, "debauches alike the cleo
tors and the elected"
Mr.. Carlisle closes his excellent article
with this true and logical paragraph:
"When it is distinctly understood that
public sentiment will no longer tolerate
favoritism in legislation of the abuse of
official authority for the purpose Of pro-
noting private pecuniary interests, the
temptation to raise and expend money
for the purchase of votes will be greatly
diminished, and our elections will depend
more upon the merits of the public ques-
tions involved and less upon the corrupt
practices Of skillful and INSCRIPTIONS COM