The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-12-01
rs NOT PA'TERNAL.
Little Likelihood That Congress Will
DO Anything to Assist the
Unemployed.
It Would BE Too Heavy q Burden
and the Treasury Is Too
Low,
Income Tax Has Narrowed Down to A
Tax on Corporations and Patent
Medicines.

WASHINGTON, Dec. Letters re-
ceived here and inquiry among senators
and members indicate that there are
many people throughout the country
asking themselves whether congress can
be counted upon during the approaching
session to do anything in the interest of
the communities which have suffered
unusual hardships because of disasters
or dull times. Reports are generally to
the effect that hard winter is to be ex-
pected in various sections, and that
actual suffering will be experienced in
many places. City and country alike
report unusual numbers out of
employment. In the Western ag-
ricultural regions, the low price
of grain and livestock, In the South the
cotton depression. in the Rocky noun
tains, the shutting down of many of
many OF the silver mines, in the towns
of New England and the Eastern and
Middle states the closing of manufac-
turing establishments and the reduction
OF forces are reported. While all these
causes have had the effect OF driving
members to the large cities. thus in
creasing the quota of idle people, un-
usually large this season because of the
general and local cauees in the larger
centers of population. Many people
seem to think that at such time con-
gress ougnt to furnish assistance in some
way, sstler by gratuitous distribution
In specially marked cases, or by means
of public works.
Not Paternal Government.
congressman, when asked to express
their views of the probability of such
assistance being given, shake their heads
significantly. They say this is not a
paternal government, and each COM
munity viii have to depend upon its
own resources. When Senator Hoar,
during the extra session, made an effort
at the instance of Miss Clara Barton of
the Red Cross society to secure an ap-
preparation of $4,000 for the relief Of
the Sea island sufferers of South Caro-
lima, he met with stubborn resistance
at he hands of Senators Turpie and
Cockrell. Senator Butler, representing
the state in which. these unfortunate
people reside, while not antagonizing
the bill. said he did not endorse the
principle, and Senator PETER said if gov
ernment aid was to be furnished i'm that
instance he should demand like assist
ance for the people of the West, upon
whom no less a calamity had fallen. 1t
was thus made apparent that if a
gratuity should lie rendered in any one
case it would be demanded in various
Others, and, as consequence, Mr. Hoar
was unable to secure the slightest con-
sideration for his appropriation.
Uncle sam Hard UP Too.
With reference to the question of in
creasing the outlay upon public works,
the fact is pointed out that if this plan
should be attempted it would have to be
undertaken upon so large scale to fur
nish real relief that the treasury would
not be able to meet the extra demand
upon it, and it is shown that the United
States treasury, like many individuals,
is in hard straits at the present time.
Even in the case Of the public buildings
authorized by acts of congress, no extra
efforts are being made to have the work
begun or pushed along because of the
condition Of the public funds, and OF the
fact that deficit instead of surplus is
in prospect.