Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-04

and then. Expenditure should always be
made with economy and only upon public
necessity. wastefulness, profigacy or favorit-
ism in public expenditures is criminal. But
there is nothing in the condition Of our country
or OF our people to suggest that anything pres
sently necessary to the public prosperity,
security or honor should be unduly post
poned 1t will be the duty Of Con-
gress wisely to forecast and estimate
these extraordinary demands and having added
them to our ordinary expenditure, to so sd-
just our revenue laws that no considerable an
| nual surplus will remain. We will fortunately
be able to apply to the redemption Of the public
| debt any smaller and unforeseen excess
| OF revenue. This is better than TO
| reduce our income below our necessary
| expenditures, with the resulting choice between
another change Of our revenue laws and an in
crease of the public debt II is quite possible.
am sure, to eject the necessary reduction in
our revenues without breaking down our pro-
tective tariff or seriously injuring any do
mestic industry. The construction OF a suf-
nclent number Of modern war ships aid
OF their necessary armament shop(dprogress
as rapidly as Is consistent with care and per-
lection in plans and workmanship. The spirit,
courage and skin Of our naval officers and sea-
men have many times in our history given to
weak ships and inefficient guns q rating
greatly beyond that Of the naval list
That they will again do 90 upon occa-
sion I do not doubt; but they ought not
by premeditation or neglect to be left to the
risks and exigencies Of an unequal combat. We
should encourage the establishment of Ameri-
ra ST h,,,l 1g
merce 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 adequate
and discriminating relief to the Union soldiers
and sailors and to their widows and orphans
Such occasion as this should remind us that we
owe everything to their valor and sacrifice.
tits the subject Of congratulation that there
is near prospect of the admission into the
Union Of Dakota and Montana territories This
act Of justice has been unreasonably
delayed in the case Of some of them.
The people who have settled these
territories are intelligent, enterprfing
and patriotic, and the accession Of these
new states will add strength to the Lation.
1t is due to the settlers in the territories who
have availeG themselves of the invitation of our
land laws to make homes upon the public do
main. that their titles thould be speedily ad-
justed and their honest entries confirmed by
patent
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 orr
elections might not only be free and pure, but
might clearly appear to be SO, will well
come the accession of any who did
not 30 soon discover the need Of
reform. The national Congress has not as yet
taken control Of elections in that case over
which the Constitution gives il jurisdiction. but
has accepted and adopted the election laws Of
the several states, provided penalties
Tor their violation, and method Of
supervision. Only the ineficiency of the
state lawn, or unfair or par
tisan administration of them could suggest q
departure from this policy. 1t was clearly.
however, in the contemplation OF the framen
OF the Constitution that such an exigency might ]
arise, and provision wisely made for IT, |
The freedom of the ballot is con- |
dition Of our national life, and no power |
vested in Congress or in the executive 4
to secure or perpetuate itshould remain unused |
upon occasion. The people of all the congress /
ional districts have an equal interest that the |
election in each case shall truly express the
views and wishes Of a majority of the qualified /
electors residing within it. The results Of
such elections not local, and the insistence u
electors residing within it, The results Of such
elections are not local, and the insistence Of
electors residing in other districts that they
shall be pure and free does not SAVIOR at all Of
If, in any of the states, the publh
security is thought to be threatened by igno-
rance among the electors, the obvious remeds
is education. The sympathy and help Of our
people will not be withheld from any community
struggling with special embarrassments or
difficulties connected with the suffrage if the
proposed proceed upon lawful lines
and are promoted by just and honorable
methods. How shall those who practice cleo
ton frauds recover that respect for the sanctip
Of the ballot which is the first condition and
Of good citizenship? The man whD
has come to regard the ballot-boxas jugglers
hat has renounced his allegiance. ID
Let us exalt patriotism and moderate our
party contentious. Let those wlo would die
'oi 'ne nag Oh tne nelo give a DetttT 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 par
take Of revolution is hurtfnl ani
even from party standpoint We .
should hold our differing opinions in mutual /,
respect, and, having submitted them to the ,
arbitrament of the ballot, should accept an al
verse judgment with the same respect that We i
would have demanded of our opponents, if the
decision had been in our favor
No other people have a government mote !
worthy Of their respect and love, or a land 20
in extent, SO pleasant to look Ivoh.
and SO full of generous suggestions to enter !
prise and labor. God has placed upon oar 1
head diadem and las laid at OR
feet power and wealth beyond defui-
tion or calculation. But we must mt
forget that we take these gifts upon the condi-
lion that justice and mercy shall hold the reihs
Of power, and that the upward avenues of hope
shall be free to all the people. II
do not mistrust the future. Dangers hate
been in frequent ambush along our path. bat
We have uncovered and vanquished them al
Passion has swept some Of our communitiSs.
but only to give us q new demap-
'tration that the great body of Ar
people are stable, patriotic and las-