Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-01-24

laws OF the State are to be revised Legislation
will be proposed on matters pertaining to edu-
cation; to the collection of the revenue;
the method Of exercising the right OF
suffrage; the regulation Of the liquor traflc
the regulation of railroad, telegraph, telephone,
express and sleeping-car companies: of banks
ana insurance companies; of the storage, in
spection and sale Of grain; the introduction of
the underground wire systems: the perfection
OF sanitary methods: the inspection Of cattle :;
the organization and maintenance of the mill
tia: the government of State Institutions; the
adjustment and creation of offices, and, by no
means the least important the encouragement
OF immigration.
In revising the dram-shop laws now in our
statute books their incongruities should be
reconciled their impracticable features elm
mated, their operation made effective and the
responsibility for their enforcement should be
fixed. Sumptuary legislation is unjust legisla-
ton, but the corruptlng influence of the saloon
on the morals of the community and the
politics of the country should be checked
lapplausel and confined to the narrow
est possible limits. The broadcast lib
erty consistent with the welfare of society,
the peace and good will of the community, is
the unquestioned right of the individual. Re-
spect for law is firmly rooted in the hearts
Of the American people, but their love of
justice is Unborn, and is the surest guaranteed of
the safety of the Republic. 1t has been well
said that the only legitimate end of government
is to protect the citizen in the enjoyment of
life, liberty and property. When it assumes
other functions 1t is usurpation and oppression.
The problem is to fix and define its limits. An
intelligent self governing people want as few
laws as the welfare of the state iustifies and
the protection of the citizen demands.
TRUSTS.
There is danger in the centralZing tenden-
cies of business and in the growth of monopo-
lies and trusts, which fortify themselves by the
aggregation of capital, by the employment of
large bodies Of men, and by other influences
permeating all branches of trade and classes of
society. Unchecked by any feeling of individual
responsibility. moved solely by love of gain,
unfettered by the duties of citizenship they are
enabled to perpetuate themselves by the adop-
ton Of methods and the of agents which
scruple at no means to accomplish their ends.
The result is the crowding out of all
healthy competition and the survival OF the
strongest, which. under this process, is by no
means the fittest This result blunts the sensi-
blities of the citizen, builds up and fosters
classes among the people and undermines the
fundamental principles upon which the gov
ernmental fabric is based Several State con-
situations have wisely set forth that perpetui.
ties and monOpolies are contrary to the genius
OF q free state and should not be allowed.
ELECTORAL REFORM.
Too many safeguards can not be thrown
around the manner OF conducting elections.
The worth of a citizen can be safely measured
by the estimate he places on his right as
voter. free and uncorrupted suffrage is the
only realization OIL a government by the people.
That lawmaiSer who can devise practical
electoral reform, which by enabling and nduc-
ing the citizens to cast free, unbiased ballot,
lnsures the rule of the majority, will merit and
receive the plaudits of his fellow-men. The
growing belief in the corruption of the voter in
his fear and dependence is destroying conf
dence in the Republic, and if not checked will
endanSer its perpetuity. When the most pre-
clous boon of an American citizen is degraded
to the evel of barter and sale, our democratic
professions become mockery and our repub-
lican institutions cheat. The execution of
the law should be firm and decisive, and the
administration of the affairs of the State thor
ough and complete. To accomplish this the
Governor and his execut We officers should be
in accord But the people do not confer the
highest office within their gift upon any man
for the sole purpose of enabling him to reward
his adherents or punish his adversaries. The
Governor is the representative citizen of the
State, and by establishing a high moral stand
ard OF official conduct he elevates citizenship.
His views should be sufficiently broad and COM
prehensIve to take in the interest and welfare
of all classes, and he should be actuated by
patriotic rather than partisan motive. To faith
fully and efficiently discharge the trust of
confding people, to promote their happiness
and enhance their prosperity is worthy of the
highest ambition. and as l shall fail succeed
in accomplishing these objects, so may be
judged.