Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-02
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
Indicate the Popularity of a More
Paternal Government.
EVEN DEMOCRACY is CHANGING.
Startling Views of a Lawyer From the
West on the Subject.
NO LIMIT TO UNCLE SANS DUTIES
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DISPATCH. !

NEW 1ORk, november lit IS gen.
orally conceded. 1 believe" said we'll
known Western lawyer of prominence,
"that we are not only growing more power
full as a nation year by year, but that we
are drifting slowly and surely toward what
is called paternal Government. Both of the
great political parties have contributed to
that end. We have only to study the record
of recent Congresses to note the rapidity
with which We are travelling in that di-
rection. The whole tendency of national
legislation is to the enlargement of the powers
and the extension of the duties OF the gen
eral Government.
"Of late years my legal practice has in
volYed some of the broader constitutional
questions, and this gradual change has
forced itsslf upon nv attention. The politi-
cal aspect at the new order of things does
not disturb me. On the contrary this gradual
modification of our original system must be
regarded as the legitimate and beneficial re-
suit of "a higher state of civilization.
Whether it is SO regarded by all men or
not, we may as we'll admit that such
change is in progress. There are those who
lament the change. I do not. There are
those who think this departure from the
early tents of our fathers Is the forerunner of
national decline and dissolution. But they
are growing fewer every year.
CHANGES OF DEMOCRACY.
Even the great body of the Democratic
party has cut loose from States rights and
strict construction and become a convert to
the paternal school. In my section of the
country the proposition for the General Gov
ernment to assume ownership and charge of
the telegraph lines and railroads is no longer
looked upon as undesirable, but if put to
vote in general election it would receive
the sanction OF three fourths of the people.
Ii you and I live ten years longer we will
probably see it accomplished. Postal savings
banks will follow. And
''The loaning of Government money on
farm mortgages?" was suggested.
VERY likely. Why not? Why shouldn't
the farmers have an equal right with the
national bankers?"
Are they all Socialists up there in the
Northwest"
"It you call that Socialism three-fourths
of us are Socialists, not in the sense of
wishing to turn things over at once by force,
but as desiring a paternal government by
law, yes-nearlv all"
This frank avowal from the lips of a hard
headed lawyer and wealthy citizen who
makes Ills temporary home at the Hoffman
House was enough to deprive a man of his
breath. He continued:
ONLY A QUESTION OF GROWTH.
"My statement is not speculative one
at all. Nor has it any political significance,
in the narrow and common acceptation of
that term. 1 am Republican, but never
was in politics aud never will be. 1 am
speaking now as an independent citizen. /
am speaking, too, only of the people of the
section OF country l know something about
Perhaps there are other sections where the
sentiment is the same-from what read of
the Farmers Alliance in the South and
from the recent action of the railway en-
ployes in this State, and from general report
of sentiment elsewhere, 1 should say the
idea was becoming general-but 1 do not in
sist on that. The cry of paternal govern
ment is no longer bugbear. In principle
it is not a new departure. 1t is now only a
question of growth. We begin to recognize
this from the Supreme Court down."
''Do you think this change in our system
is the way to reach the greatest good to the
greatest NUMBER"
he exclaimed. "My opinion on This point is
worth no more than any other mans. To
the public it is worth nothing. 1 have been
merely stating facts that have come under
my observation. 1 would not call it a
change IN our systematic system remains
the samc-elections by the present process,
officers and terms of Office the same. 1t is
more properly change in the application of
the system and one contemplated as possible
by the trainers OF the Constitution. 1t is the
natural progression of great people.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE WAR.
"We improve on the old model as we 90
along. The war of 81 demonstrated that
the original plan needed a vigorous over
hauling. l think it improved things mate
rally. Even those who opposed it arms in
hand think so now. So the paternalizlng of
the Government-the bringing it nearer to
the new wants of the people-may result in
increased personal happiness and national
prosperity.
"The question of farm mortgages is
very serious one in the Northwest. People
who pay and 10 per cent on their bor-
rowed money begin to feel the hopelessness
of their situation. The source of all
national wealth is in the producer, and the
agriculturist is the great producer. In
times of financial stringency from over
speculation the Treasury of the United
States comes promptly to the rescue of the
Wall street operator. Why should not the
Government come to the assistance of the
farmer when he gets in financial hole?' L
do not suggest any particular way; but let
it find some practical way"
"W hats the matter with the Government
leaving mis- money with him instead of
taking it by taxation and loaning it back to
him?" was inquired.
This query rather foored the political
economist from the Northwest, but he re-
covered in time to observe that it was a
scheme worthy of consideration.
DRAWING THE LINE.
"And in this progressial system of pater-
| nal government where do you draw tie line
of demarcation where the Government shall
stop and where the people may think and
act for themselves? Will it be at the Gov
ernmental control of the telegraph lines.
the railroads, the establishment of postal
savings banks, the taking up of the farm
mortgages at a nominal rate of interest? Or.
will it. extend its uniformed hand to the
| running OF Touring mills, breweries and
manufactures, etc.,"
81 would draw no line. The representa-
tlves of the people in Congress assembled
would presumably represent the views OF
| their constituents in the matter This Gov
ernment is supposed to be by the people, of
the people and for the.people. The trouble
| is that you consider the Government as
something apart from, something not of the
people-it is the people, acting for them
selves. The Government belongs to the
| people and not the people to the Govern
ment 1 have just been trying to enforce
| this idea in an argument before the Secre-
tary of the Interior, at Washington, in a