The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1892-10-04

boldly presented that tariff taxation is
4 1ustihable. for the express purpose and
intent OF thereby promoting especial inter
SO clearly contrary to the spirit OF our con-
stitution and so directly encourages the
disturbance by seIfishness and greed Of pa
l triotic sentiment. that its statement would
rudely shock our people, If they had not
already been insiduously allured from the
safe landmarks Of principle. Never have
devotion to country. and sincere regard for
those who toll. been SO betrayed to the sup
port Of pernicious doctrine.
In its behalf. the plea that our infant in
dustries should be fostered did service I'M
til discredited by our stalwart growth:
then followed the exigencies Of a terrible
war which made our people needless of the
opportunities for Interior schemes afforded
by their willing and patriotic payment of
unprecedented tribute: and now after a
long period of peace. when our overbur-
dened countrymen ask for relief and a
/ restoration to a fuller enjoyment of their
incomes and earnings, they are met by the
claim that tariff taxation. for the sake of
continuance Of which is necessary in
order that high wages may be paid to our
working1nen and a home market be pro
| vided for our farm products
These pretenses should no lo..--s deceive
Inc truth IS that such system is directly
antagonized by every sentiment of Justice
and fairness OF which Americans are pre-
our workingmen and farmers can. least of
i all our people. defend Themselves AGAINST
the harder home life which such tariff tax
alton increases. the workingman suffering
from the importation and employment OF
pauper labor, instigated by his protested
friends, and seeking security for his inter
for division of the advantages secured 10
his employer under cover of a gelierous so
licitude for his wages, while the farmer is
learning that the prices of his products are
fixed IN foreign markets 1vilefe- he suffert
from competition invited and built tp
by the system he is asked to supbcfft
The struggle for unearned advantages at.
the doors of the government tramples on
the rights OF those who patiently rely upon
assurances of American equality. Every
i governmental concession to clafnorous
tavorites invites corruption in political af-.
fairs by encouraging the expenditure of
money TO debauch suffrage IN support of a
policy directly favorable to private and
selfish gain This in the end must strangle
patriotism and weaken popular confidence
in the rectitude of republican institutions
Though the subject of tariff legislation
involves question of markets. it also in
wolves a question OF morals We can not
with immunity permit injustice to faint
the spirit of right and equity.which is the
life OF our republic; and we shall fail to
reach our national destiny If greed and
| selffshness lead the way.
Recognizing these truths, the national.
Democracy will seek by the application of
our people the blessings due them from the
government they support TO promote
among our countrymen a closer COM
munity OF interests cemented by patriot
ism and national pride, and to point out
fair Held, where prosperous and diversified
American enterprise may grow and thrive
In the wholesome atmosphere of American
industry, ingenuity and intelligence.
Tariff reform is still our purpose.
Though we oppose the theory that tariff
laws may be passed having. for the object
the granting of discriminating and unfair
governmental aid to private ventures, we
wage no discriminating war against any
i American interests. We believe read
justment can be accomplished, in accord
ance with the principles we profess, with
out disaster or demolition. We believe
that the advantages of freer raw material
should be accorded to our manufacturers,
and we contemplate fair and careful dis
tribution of necessary tariff burdens.
rather than the precipitation of free trade.
Il We anticipate with calmness the mis-
representation of our motives and pur-
poses, instigated by selfishness which
seeks to hold in unrelenting grasp its UNI
fair advantage under present tariff laws.
We will rely upon the intelligence of our
fellow countrymen to reject the charge
that party comprising majority of our
people is planning the destruction or injury
OF American interests, and we know they
cannot be frightened by the spectre of inn
possible free trade. ~
The administration and management OF
our government depend on popular will
Federal power is the instrument of that
lwill-not its master. Therefore the at
interfere with and control the suffrage of
the state, through federal agencies deSel-
ops design. which no explanation can
mitigate to reverse the fundamental and
safe relations between the people and their
government Such an attempt can not
fail to be regarded by thoughtful men as
i proofs of a bold determination tosecure the
ascendency of a discredited party in reck-
less disregard of a free expression of the
popular will. To resist such scheme is
an impulse of Democracy. At all times
and in all places we trust the people. AS
/ against disposition to force the way to
federal power, we present to them
as our claim to their confidence and sup
port, steady championship of their rights.
The people are entitled to sound and
honest money abundantly sufficient in
volume to supply their business needs. But
whatever may be the form of the peoples
currency, national or state-whether gold,
silver, OF. paper-it should be so regulated
and guarded by governmental action, or by
wise and careful laws, that no one can be
deluded. as to the certainty and stability
of its value. Every dollar put into the
hands of the people should be of the same
intrinsic value or purchasing power. With
this condition absolutely guaranteed, both
| gold and silver can be safely utilized upon
equal terms in the adjustment of our cur
| rency.
III dealing with this subject no selfish
scheme should be allowed to intervene and
no doubtful experiment should be a.
tempted. The wants of our people, arising
from the deficiency or imperfect distribut
tion OF money circulation, ought to be
fully and honestly recognized and efficiently
remedied. 1t should, however, be constant
ly remembered, that the inconvenience or
loss that might arise from such a situation
can be much easier borne than the univer-
sal distress that must follow a discredited
i currency.
4 Public officers are the agents of the peo-
pie. 1t is therefore their duty to secure for
those whom they represent the hest and
most efficient performance of public work.
This plainly can be best accomplished by
regarding ascertained fitness in the selec
ton of government employees. These con-
siderations alone are sufficient justification
for an honest adherence to the letter and
spirit of civil service reform. There are,
however, other features of this plan which
abundantly commend it. Through its OPP
Grafton worthier merit in every station and
condition of American life is recognized; in
the distribution of public employment,
while its application tends to raise the
standard of political activity from spoils-
hunting and unthinking party afliliiltion
to the advocacy of party principles iby
Il reason and argument q q =
Il The American people are generous and
grateful, they have impressed these char
acteristics upon their government. There
fore all patriotic and just citizens mist
commend liberal consideration for our
/ worthy veteran soldiers and. for the ,f9mz.
lilies of those who died. No complaint
should be made of the amount of public
money maid to those actually fIisalSled ar