The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1889-09-25
sPEAKER CARLISLE.
On fIle IsrOstiiulf0n Of the Gov
ermment-to Private and Spe-
cIal Intereafa-TIIe Scramble
fOR. SNnTDSf6ftss


clal Interesls-Tl The Scramble
for Subsidies.
One of the most discouraging
signs of the times issthe growing
disposition among certain classes OF
the people to rely upon the Govern
ment for assistance in the prosecu-
ton of their private business. The
spirit of independence and self-reli-
ance which in former times consti-
tuted the chief characteristic of the
American citizen, and made him en-
terprising and successful in bust
ness as well as safe custodian OF
political power, is rapidly disap-
pearing, and in nearly every branch
of industry there is a persistent de-
mand for governmental aid in one
form or another. So general has
this disposition already become that
our legislative bodies, state and fed
elal, are crowded at every session
with measures which have no other
foundation than a selfish purpose to
promote the private interests of par
ticular individuals or classes, and
the business of real public impor-
tance is too often entirely neglected,
or carelessly disposed of in order to
reach the consideration of these
private schemes. The real purpose
of these selfish projects is never con-
fessed by their advocates. There is
always an ostentatious parade of
patriotic sentiment and regard for
the general welfare, and by this
means the majority of the people,
who in every case are compelled to
bear the burdens imposed by class
legislation, are frequently seduced
with the support of measures, which
would not be toleratedif thoroughly
understood.
This scramble for subsidies, bonn
ties and special class legislation in
all it's various forms is demoralizing
and injurious in all its aspects. 1t
not only destroys the independence
of the beneficiaries, but it prosti-
tutes the power of the government,
debauches legislative bodies and cor
rupts the elective franchise Itself
This was not intended to be a pa
ternal government. 1t is neither a
charitable institution nor Il joint
stock corporation created for the
purpose of transacting, or assisting
in the transaction, of ordinary busi-
ness, but all the powers it possesses
were delegated to it for public pur-
poses only, and every attempt to
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. equal rights
for all and exclusive privileges for
none," is not only good Democracy,
but sound constitutional maxim
which ought never to be violated.
In the prosecution of these
schemes for private gain, powerful
combinations are nearly always
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 enemy of the industry or en-
terprise proposed to be benefited,
and, if he persists, is threatened
with defeat at the polls. And too
often this threat is actually execu-
ted. By these means, or others
still more reprehensible, the opposi-
tion is generally overcome sooner
or later, and the measures is passed.
If an attempt is afterwards made to
repair the wrong thus done to
the great body of the people, it is
successfully resisted upon the
grounds that the faith of the gov
ernment has been pledged, and that
large interests have grown up under
the law, which would be ruined by
a withdrawal of the gratuity. The
legislature is permitted at no time
to consider such a measure on its
real merits. The passage is secured
by coercion and false pretenses, and
its repeal is prevented by argu-
ments which have no relation what
ever to its original necessity or pro-
priety. The whole process is de-
ceptive and dishonest, and no legis-
lative body can be long subjected to
the influences which usually prevail
in such cases without provoking at
least suspicion of corruption and
want of fidelity to the interests of
the people.
But perhaps the most dangerous
form in which this demand for spe-
cial legislation, or special favors at
the hands of the Government, ex-
hibits itself, is in the corrupt use of