Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-05-04

the integrity OF this Government, the happiness
OF its people, their homes and themselves
Students Of comparative politics continually
aud cite the periods which have marked The
rise, the progress and the decay of free instifu-
tions, and assert that our form of government
will not afford adequate protection for private
property or personal liberty. without which viz
tues it must sooner or later fall. When we re-
view the history of the Argonauts of 'A9. their
laws and Courts, we cannot but feel that such
propnesiss Of EVIL are incorrect; but if they are
without illusion or reserve In 1866 the report
OF the Chairman OF the Committee on Mines
and Mining of the Senate of the United States
of the builders of California:
by this great system. established by the peo-
pie In their primary capacity, and evidencing
by me highest possible testimony the peculiar
genius Of the American people for founding en-
pire and order, popular sovereignty is displayed
in its grandest aspect, and simply invites us not
to destroy, but to put upon it the stamp of ma
ti0nal pc wer and authority"
1t becomes serious question in all popular
governments whether the actual political au-
thority OF the nation rests with the minority of
the people who compose it or with the numer.
ical majority. II has ever been, aud it is to be
hope it ever will be, the policy OF this nation
TO afford full measure of education TO all lis
children, and enable them to realize the power
those rights confer. Within the limitations
prescribed by the Constitution the msioriiy
have the right to govern this nation and that Is
the hrst lesson which all the education of the
times should teach, that ignorance cannot pre-
vent the expressal of the sovereign will on prop
ositions upon which it is substantially united
and which are of vital interest to all
MI: webster preaicted years ago that an IRE
presslbie conflict must arise between political
system based on manhood suffrage and there
fore aiming at equality. and an economic sys.
tenn based upon legislation in the interest OF
capital. and therefore inequality, and declared
that the freest government, If it could exist
would not be acceptable, If the tendency of the
laws was 10 create rapid accumulation OF
property IN few hands and render The masses
Of the people dependent and Tenniless. When
| this class becomes numerous it becomes clam
orous. 1t looks upon property as its prey and
plumber, and is naturally ready at all times fol-
violence and revolution
The dictates OF selfinterest have and ALWAYS
Will prove powerful factor in Quelling the dis
turbances which affect modern society. and
present ease and comfort cause us to forget OF
| Ignore the dangers of the future but it must
| have forcibly impressed all thoughtful men
| that too much dependence must not be placed
\ on such a foundation. If our object is to live
together IN peace, to have the rights of private
property preserved and our laws reyered and
| respected, material changes must soon be made
which will accomplish such results. No right
OF private property can be respected when the
method of acquiring it is open to public criti,
| clsH1, no law upon our statute books reyered
| when Its enactment or construction was the re.
| suit of other than public interest, for the mr.
| pose OF enaollng men to rob the community
and, by bribing Legislators and Judges, public
| opinion, influencing the operation of social re-
forms may be sufficient to accomplish these
ends, but such things more frequently come by
civic commissions and by the shedding of blood
To enforce these reforms by gradual and
reaceful couIse: to lessen the worst INEQUALITIES
which exist; to restrict the bounds wherein
capital. under limited liability, may be al
lowed 10 invade pursuits which the public we!
| fare and natural laws of trade demand should
be LETT open to public competition; to open tc
the hopes and ambition of the employed the
ranks OF the employers should be the study Of
those who exercise the privileges of suffrage in
| the country. -
1t is becoming serious question in this con
nection whether the public interests do not de
mand the resumption by the Government O
many OFF its granted franchises. and the man
agement of snch things as railroad and tele
graphic systems be placed under government
control. Such things might be accomplished by
system OF compensation, or, to avoid the greai
| difiiculiies that will necessarily arise in The
management of such properties, the rights O
| the people might be protected by the establish
ment OF tribunals of arbitration for the adjust
ment OF causes of complaint which must neces
sarliy arise. This has been attempted in Cali