St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-09
INATTENTIoN TO DUTY.


been entertained of social upheaYals
and their destructive consequences. the
real menace to American institutions is
to be found in the upper stratum of so
ciety rather than in the lower. Nor
have we special reference in this con-
nection to the dangerous tendencies of
aggregated wealth and the multiplied
forms of extravaganza and luxurious
indulgence which are always hurtful to
republican government. The men,
aeing evil which we have particularly
in mind is the inattention of public
officials to duty. Within the last few
weeks we have had some serious illus
trations of the dire consequences of this
form Of evil. We have seen it in our
national congress, in various state
legislatures, and in financial cir
cles. Three national banks in
New York city were swept into
oankruptSy by the failure of the
government examiner to scrutinize the
doings of the bank officers. The nation
has been Inundated by the most dis
graceful scenes at the national capital,
and all growing out of the failure of
certain congressman to be IN their seats.
There was no time during the fiIibus-
tering scenes in the house when, if the
Republican members had all been in
their seats. the majority could not have
constituted a quorum without the aid of
Speaker REEDS extraordinary rulings.
There was no time during the same
scenes when, il the Democrats had been
able to muster their full strength, but
what they could have outvoted the OPP
position, and have been spared the ne
cessity, of filibustering. But both par
ties were short of a full roster, and,
as result, both reSorted to extraordi-
nary, and, we are panied to say, most
disgraceful proceedings. At least a
score of members were out of place,
scattered out over the country attend
ing to their private affairs, when they
ought to have been in their seats in the
house of Representatives. This is but
one illustration of many that could be
cited to show the disposition of those in
official station to shirk the duties and
responsibilities of their Office, and Of
the evil effects of this too common prac-
tice. When an American citizen accepts
an Office he should realize that he enters
into contract with the public to devote
all of his time. his energies, and his
abilities to the performance of the
duties Of that office, and there can
be no justification for striking
or evading the obligations he has
assumed. Unfortunately, however, the
prevailing idea is that an Office is
private perquisite AMI not a public
trust. Upon this theory the Incumbent
proceeds to devote the time that be-
longs to the public to his own purposes.
1t is not an uncommon thing for visit
or to the halls of congress to see one
half Of the seats in both the senate and
the lower house vacant. If the menu
bers are not out Of the city. they are
loafing or attending to their private
affairs, while the public business is GO
ing to the dogs for all that they know or
care. And yet they draw their salaries
just as regularly as if they were the
most attentive representatives in the
world. The decentralization resulting
from this inattentlon to duty on the part
of congressman periheates the whole ma
chinery of government. The force of
the example set by those who are the
lawmakers for the nation-is felt in all
departments, the demoralizing influence
extends to all the sub official stations
throughout the country, aud even the
state and local governments are infected
by it. 1t has come to pass that the alb
solutely faithful official or representa-
tive is the exception. This does not
bode we'll fOrthe perpetuity of free gov
eminent on this continent. During
what was known as the dark day in
New England, many years ago, the
Massachusetts, legislature was in ses-
sion. When the appalling darkness
enveloped the earth at. noouday, some
frightened members proposed an al
journment. Not So" said the sturdy
old Puritan who occupied the speakers
chair; ''let the candles be lighted and
the assembly proceed with its business.
If the day of Judgment is come. let it
find US at the post of duty" That is
the spirit that should animate our pub
lie officials to-day.