The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1892-01-23
Meet the Issue Squarely.

The Statesman of few days agt
began an editorial article with thu
sentence: "Mr. Holman did not ge
his resolution cutting off appropri
atoms through the House yester
day." The Statesman should know
if it does not, that this is misrep.
resentation of Mr.. Holman's reso'
luton, which was not to cut of
appropriations but to cut off steals
It was old-time constitutional de-
mocracy, and was supported by
every true democrat in the House
The resolution simply declared il
to be "the judgment of the House
that the granting of subsidies OF
bonu-es BY Congress, in public
moneys, bonds, or by pledge of the
public credit to promote private in
dustries or enterprises, independent
of the constitutional power of Con-
gress, is unjust, impolitic and in
manifest conflict. with the spirit of
republican institutions"
If the Statesman is favorable to
the granting of subsidies, bonuses
and the like, and of course it is
when it is to be done by a demo-
cratic Congress, one solid reason
for it's faith would have been more
effective than dozen misrepresen-
tations, since the latter were refuted,
blythe language Of the resolution,
before they were uttered by the
Statesman. But the fact is there
exists no valid reason to offer, as
the Statesman we'll knows. The
taxing power was given to the gov
eminent to be employed strictly
and only for public purposes, and
whenever, no matter. upon what pre-
text, it is diverted to the upbuilding
of private enterprises and fortunes,
it is misused, abused. A mining
corporation has the same legal and
constitutional right to ask the gov
eminent for an appropriation to
develop its mines that a canal COM
pany has to ask for money to con-
struct it's cannal, which is no right
at all.
In fragrant and shamefully un-
constitutional abuse of the taxing
power our people have been robbed
of land worth $4,000, OOO, 900 in the
markets to-day and Of sum of
money nearly equal to the value of
the land. All Of which must come
out of the sweat of the laboring
classes, and cgo to produce an idle
class Of aristocratic snobs, whose
example and influence are unre-
publican and whose pecuniary in
terests lie in the direction of mon
archy. And while wasting money
in this unlawful manner, our rivers,
harbors and coasts have been almost
totally disregarded and neglected.
Not one dollar has been appropri-
ated for public and legitimate pur-s
poses toi-$1 900 for unlawful and
private uses, which leaves. all Of. our
extensive sea coast practically at
the'mercy Of foreign nations, should
we become involved in war, and as
without the benefits.we should de-
rive from our harbors, bays and
navigable rivers. To put the case
the corrupters Of our law
have induced Congress to
neglect the interests of the nation
while building up the fortunes of
private persons. But time has
come when Congress will be called
upon to legislate for the pubhc's
aud not for private interests, and
to regard the legality of legislation
rs we'll, and the Statesman had as
we'll meet the issue squarely ; and
if it would perpetuate the old rob-
her system, better deal with facts
and arguments. These alone will
answer now.
Since the above was written Mr..
Holman's resolutions cutting off
subsidies and bonuses, and limit
ing public expenditures, have been
passed by majorities 80 well-nigh
overwhelming that we are more
than ever hopeful that the theft
class have been foiled so far as this
Congress is concerned.