The Daily bulletin., 1889-12-06

what is meant by economy in the
use Of the public funds implies a
clear perception in regard to the
proper objects of its expenditure,
and an intelligent discrimination
between economy and parsimony.
1t will be surprising indeed il the
legislature TO be elected In February
next does not experience repeti-
ton Of history in being besieged
with requests to make appropria-
tions for mere private benefit or
purely private purposes, for objects
of doubtful public utility, for the
encouragement of enterprises calcu-
lated to benefit the country, but not
in proportion to the amounts desir-
ed, etc. Here is where the practice
of economy will be needed, in the
refusal to vote the peoples money
for other than the peoples evident
benefit, as we'll as by declining TO
vote salaries for useless officers,
while at the same time disceuraging
that parsimony which would under
pay the working employee for
his services and send TO San Fran
cisco, for the sake of saving five
cents, for what can be furnished of
equally good quality by taxpayers
here. Who are the men to uphold
this measure? Surely not those who
are not in sympathy with it, nor
those who have taxes to grindn or
covetous eyes on the treasury for
themselves and friends.
There are also new measures
which the condition and require
ments of the country call for, some
of which have been publicly dis
cussed and others that have had but
little attention. Restriction or regu-
lation of Asiatic immigration may
be noted as occupying foremost
place. This will be found to be an
extremely difficult matter to deal
with in way that shall protect the
working man and mechanic, preserve
the interests Of the people and the
industries OF the country from in
jury, and do no injustice to anyone.
Men with courage to face the diff
Guilty and tackle the. problem are
wanted for legislators. No sensible
man for one moment imagines that
this and other questions will or can
be honestly and satisfactorily han
died by men whose minds are not,
in the first place, fully in sympathy
with them and deeply impressed by
their gravity.
Nor is this enough. Honesty and
earnestness may be allied with ignor-
ance and stupidity. knowledge
and ability must be added TO the
qualifications already named. A
man to be fit TO legislate for the
people must possess knowledge of
their requirements, and the capacity
to legislate sensibly, justly, and dis
creetiy. He must, although not
necessarily talker, be a thinker, a
reasoner, always voting on the side
of sense, right, justice, and liberty.
Now, if the people want sound,
just, and beneficial measures, ret
them in their political organizations
nominate, and ut the polls vote for,
only those men whom they have
good reason to believe are willing
and able 10 produce such measures.
To select dishonest men, and expect
them TO be true to their trust, is
about on par with perching Beelze-
bub in q pulpit to preach Christ
mas sermon. And 10 select num-
skulls, however honest, to perform
duties which require the exercise of
brains and ability, is equal to enl-
ploying NAVY, who has handled
nothing but 81 pickaxe and shovel all
his life time, 10 repair the delicate
mechanism Of Il lady's watch.
Middle is sure to be the result in
either case. We cannot get the
legislative measures we need unless
We first get the men. Ii we are
wise We will do our best to select
and elect the men, and If we can
not get men of the calibre we would,
we should choose the best we can.
ANNUAL MEETING.