West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1893-03-16

OF a popular disposition to expect
from the operation of the govern.
ment especial aad direct individual
advantages. The verdict of our
voters, which condemned the inius.
tice of maintaining protection for
projections sake, snjoins upon
the peoples servants the duty of
exposing and destroying the brood
Of kindred evils which are the un-
wholesome progeny of paternalism.
This is the bane of republican in.
stitutions, and the constant peril Of
our government by the people.
1t degrades to tho purposes OF
willy craft the plan OF rule our faith
ers established and bequeathed to
us as an object of our love and
veneration. 1t pcrverts the patri.
otic sentiment of our countrymen
and tempts them to pltiful calcu-
lation Of the sOrdid gain to be do.
rived from the governments main
tenance. 1t undermines the self
reliance Of our people, and substi-
tutes in its place dependence upon
governmental favoritism. 1t stiles
the spirit of true Americanism, and
stupefies every ennobling trait of
American citizenship. The lessons
of paternalism ought to be unlearn.
ed and the better taught, that while
the people should periodically and
cheerfullY support their govern
ment, its functions do not include
the support Of the people.
The acceptance Of this principle
leads to refusal of bounties and
subsidies which burden the labor
and thrift of II portion of our citi-
zens to aid ill.advlsed or languish-
ing enterprises in which they have
no concern. 1t leads also TO "a chal-
leDge of wild and reckless pension
expenditures which overleaps the
bounds of grateful recognition of
patriotic services and prostitutes to
vicious uses the peoples prompt
and generous impulse to aid those
disabled in their country's defense.
Every thoughtful American must
realize the Importance of checking
at its beginning any tendency, in
pubic or private station, TO regard
frugality and economy as virtues
which we may safely outgrow. The
toleration Of tins idea results in the
waste Of the peoples money by their
chosen servants, and encourages
prodigalIty and extravaganza in the
home life of our countrymen. Un-
der our scheme of government the
waste Of public money is crime
against the citizen and contempt of
our people for economy and frugal.
ItY of their personal affairs. and do
plorably saps the strength aud stur-
diness Of our national character. 1t
is q plain dictate Of honesty and
good government that public ex-
penditures should be limited by
public necessity, and that this
should be measured by the rules of
strict economy; and 1T is equally
clear that frugality among the peo-
pie IS the best guaranty Of a con-
tented mind and strongest support
Of free institutions.
One mode of Risappropriation Of
public funds is avoided when APP
Dointments to Office, instead Of be-
ing the rewards Of partisan activity,
are awarded to those whose efficien-
cY promises a fair return Of work
tor the fitness and competency OF
appointees to Office, and to remove
from political action the demoraliz-
ing madness for spoils, civil service
reform has found a place in our
public policy and laws. The bene.
fits already gained through this in
strumentality, aud the further use-
fulness it promises, entitle it the
hearty support AID encouragement
Of all who desire to see our public
service we'll performed, or who hope
for the elevation Of political senti-
meut and the purifcation Of politi-
cal methods.
The existence Of immense aggre-
cations Of kindred enterprises and
combinations Of business interests,
formed for the purpose of limiting
production and fixing prices, is in
consistent with the fair field which
ouoht to lao oman In overv indope,,