Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1889-03-15

civil list lncrenscs. removals from Office Will
diminish.
Tho Nations Needs.
While treasury surplus is not the greatest
evil it is serious evil Our revenue should
be ample to meet the ordinary annual de-
mands upon our treasury, with a sufficient
margin for those extraordinary but scarcely
less imperative demands which arise now and
then. Expenditure should always be made
with economy and only upon public neces-
sity. Wastefnlness, profligacy or favoritism
in public expenditures is criminal But there
is nothing in the condition of our country or
OF our people to suggest that anything pres
emily necessary to the public prosperity, Sc
curty or honor should be unduly postponed.
1t will be the duty of congress wisely to fore
cast and estimate these extraordinary de-
mands, and, having added them to our or
binary expenditures to so adjust our revenue
laws, that no considerable annual surplus
will remain
We will fortunately be able TO apply to the
redemption Of the public debt any small and
unforeseen excess of revenue. This is better
than to reduce our income below our neces.
sary expenditures with the resulting choice
between another change of our revenue laws
and an increase OF the public debt 1t is quite
possible, am sure, to effect the necessary re-
duction in our revenues without breaking
down our protective tariff or seriously H. ur-
ing any domestic industry.
The construction of sufficient number of
modern war ships, and of their necessary
armament, should progress as rapidly as Is
consistent with care and perfection in plans
and workmanship. The spirit, courage and
skill of our naval officers and seamen have
many times in our history given to weak ships
and inefficient guns rating greatly beyond
that OF the naval list. That they will again
do so upon occasion do not doubt: but they
ought not by generalization or neglect to be
left to the risks and exigencies of an unequal
combat
We should encourage the establishment OF
American steamship lines. The exchanges Of
commerce demand stated, reliable and rapid
means OF communication, and until these are
provided the development of our trade with
the states lying south Of us is impossible
Our pension laws should give more ade-
quate and discriminating relief to the Union
soldiers and sailors and to their widows and
orphans Such occasions as this should re-
mind us that we owe everything to their
valor and sacrifice
New States.
1t is a subject of congratulation that there
Is near pr spect of the admission into the
Union of the Dakotas and Montana and
Washington territories This act of Justice
has been unre as nably DELAYED in the case Of
some Of them. The people who have settled
those territories are intelligent enterprising
and patriotic, and the accession of these new
states will add strength to the nation
IL is due to the settlers in the territories
who have availed themselves of the invita-.
tions of our land laws to make homes upon
Ill 10 IL, Al. 4.
speedily adjusted and their honest entries
confirmed by patent
Election Reform.
1t is very gratifying to observe the general
interest now being manifested in the reform
of our election laws. Those who have been
for years calling attention to the pressing
necessity of throwing about the ballot box
and about the elector further safeguards, in
order that the elections might not only be
free and pure, but might clearly appear to be
so, will welcome the accession of any who did
not so soon discover the peed of reform. The
national congress has not as yet taken con-
troll of elections in that case over which the
constitution gives its jurisdiction, but has
accepted and adopted the election laws of the
several states, provided penalties for their
violation nd method of supervision. Only
the lnefilciency of the state laws or the unfair
or partisan administration of them could
suggest departure from this policy.
1t was clearly, however, in the contempla-
ton of the trainers of the constitution that
such an eXigency might arise and provision
was wisely made for it. No power vested
in congress or in the executive to secure or
perpetuate it should remain unused upon
occasion. The people of all the congressional
districts have an equal interest that the
election in each shall truly express the views
and wishes Of the qualified electors residing
in other districts that they shall he pure and
free does not SAVIOR at all Of impertinence
II in any of the states the public security IL
thought 10 be threatened by ignorance
among the electors, the obvious remedy is
education. The sympathy AMI help of our
people will not be withheld from any COM
munity struggling with special embarrass-
ments or difficulties connected with the
suffrage If the remedies proposed proceed
upon lawful lines and are promoted by just
and honorable methods. How shall those
who practice election frauds recover that
respect for the sanctity of the ballot which is
the first condition and obligation of good
citizenship The man who has come to re-
gard the ballot box rs a juggler's hat has
renowned his allegiance.
Let us exalt patriotism and moderate our
party contentious. Let those who would die
for the flag on the field of battle give a better
proof of their patriotism and higher glory
to their country by promoting fraternity and
justice. A party success that is achieved by
unfair methods or by practices that partake
Of revolution, is hurtful and evanescent,
even from party standpoint. We should
hold our differing opinions in mutual respect
and having submitted them to arbitrament
of the ballot, should accept an adverse judg-
ment with the same respect that we would
have demanded Of our opponents if the de-
cision had been in our favor
Conclusion.
No other people have a government more
worthy Of their respect and love, or a land
so magnificent in extent, so pleasant to look
upon, and so full of generous suggestion to
enterprise and labor. God has placed upon
our head a diadem, and has laid at our feet
power and wealth beyond definition or cal
culation. But we must not forget that We
take these gifts upon the condition that jus
tice and mercy shall hold the reins of power,
and that the upward avenues of hope shall