People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-03-10


oficer Of the senate
The new senators took the oath and
the inaugural ceremonies proceeded in
the usual form.
The Inaugural Address.
WASHINGTON, March 6.-As soon as
the thousands about the stand had be.
come quiet, President Cleveland, in
measured tones which were heard dis.
tinctly by nearly all present, delivered
his inaugural address as follows:
My Fellow Citizens: In obedience TO the
mandate OF my countrymen, am about 10 ded
icate myself 10 their service under the sanction
Of solemn oath Deeply moved by the ex
preston OF confidence and pc. sonal attach
meut which has called me 10 this service, am
sure my gratitude can make no better return
than the pledge now give before God and the
witnesses Of unreserved and complete devotion
TO the interests and welfare OF those who have
honortd me.
deem it fitting on this occasion, while indi
eating the opinions | hold concerning public
questions Of present Importance, to also briefly
refer to the existence OF certain conditions and
tendencies among our people which seem ia
menace the integrity and usefulness Of their
government
While every American citizen must contem
plate with the utmost pride and enthusiasm
the growth and expansion OF our country, the
suflciency Of our institutions to stand against
the rudest shocks Of violence, the wonderful
thrift and enterprise OF our people, and the
demonstrated superiority OF our free govern.
ment, 1t behooves US 10 constantly watch
for every symptom Of insidious
infrmity that threatens our national
yigor The strong man who, in the
confidence Of sturdy health, courts the
sternest activities Of life and reioices in the
hardihood OF constant labor, may still have
lurking near his vitals the unheeded disease
that dOoms him TO sudden collapse II cannot
be doubted that our stupendous achievements
as people and our country's robust strength
have given rise to heedlessness Of those laws
governing our national health which We can no
more evade than human life can escape the
laws OF God and nature
Manifestly nothing is more vital to our su.
premacy as nation and to the beneficent pur
poses OF our government than sound and
stable currency. It's exposure 10 degradation
should at once arouse TO activity the most en-.
lightened craftsmanship; and the danger OF de-
probation in the purchasing power OF the wages
paid to toll should furnish the strongest in.
centive 10 prompt and conservative precau-
ton. In dealing with our present embarrassing
situation as related TO this subject we will be
wise II we temper our confden ce and faith In
our national strength and resources. with the
frank concession that even these will not per-
nit US TO deny with impunity the memorable
laws OF finance and trade At the same time,
in our efforts to adjust differences Of opinion
we should be free from intolerance or passion
and our judgments should be unmoved by allur.
ing phrases and unvexed by selfish interests. !
am confident that such an approach to the sub,
iect will result in prudent and effective rene
dial legislation In the meantime, so far
as the executive branch OF the govern.
ment can intervene none of the powers with
which II is invested will be withheld when their
exercise will be deemed necessary 10 maintain
our national credit or avert financial disaster.
Closely related to the exaggerated confidence
in our cOuntrys greatness, which tends TO a
disregard OF the rules OF national safety, an.
other danger confronts US not less serious |
refer to the prevalence Of q popular disposition
TO expect from the operation Of the government
especial and direct individual advantages The
verdict Of our voters which condemned the in
iquity Of maintaining protection for protection
sake enioins upon the peoples servants the
duty Of exposing and destroying the brood OF
kindred evils which are the unwholesome prog.
eny OF paternaism This is the bane OF lepub
lican institutions and the constant peril Of our
government by the people. 1t degrades TO the
purposes Of willy craft the plan Of rule our
fathers established and bequeathed to US as
an object of our love and generation II
perverts the patriotic sentiment OF our
countrymen and tempts them 10 pitiful calcu
lation Of the sordid gain to be derived from
their governments maintenance. 1t under
mines the self-reliance Of our people and sub
stitutes in its place dependence upon govern
ment favoritism. 1t stiles the spirit Of true
Americanism and stupefies every ennobling trait
Of American citizenship The lessons OF pater.
nalism ought TO be learned, and the better les
son taught that while the people should patri
otically and cheerfully support their govern
ment its functions do not include the support
OF the people. The acceptance OF this principle
leads TO a refusal Of bounties and subsidic:
which burden the labor and thrift Of portion
Of our citizens to aid ill-advised or languishin0
enterprises in which they have no concern. Il
leads also TO challenge OF wild and reckless
pension expenditure, which overlelps the
bounds OF grateful recognition Of patriotic SER
vice and prostitutes to vicious uses the people S
prompt a1d generous impulse to aid those dis.
abled in their countrys defense.
Every thoughtful American must realize the
importance OF checking at its beginning any
tendency in public or private station 10 regard
frugality and economy as virtues which we may
safely outgrow The federation OF this idea re
suits in the waste Of the peoples money by
their chosen servants, encourages prodigality
and extravaganza in the home life OF our coun
trymen. Under our scheme OF government
waste OF public money is a crime against The
citizen and the contempt OF our people FOL
economy and frugality in their personal az
airs, deplorably saps the strength and sturdi
ness Of our national character
1t is plain dictate Of honesty and good gov
eminent that public expenditures should b.
limited by public necessity, and that thi:
should be measured by the rules Of strict econ
omv: and 1t is equally clear that frugality
among the people is the best guarantee Of {
contented and strong support Of free institu
tions.
One mode Of the Interpretations OF public
funds is avoided when appointments TO ONCE
instead Of being the rewards Of partisan actiy
ity are awarded to those whose efficiency
promises fair return Of work for the compen
sation paid TO them. To secure the fitness anC
competency OF appointees to once, and 10 re
move from political action the demoralizlnl
madness for spoils, civil service reform Ia:
found a place in our public policy and laws
The benefits already gained through this in
strumentality and the further usefulness II
promises, entitle II to the hearty support anC
encouragement OF all who desire 10 see our pub
lie service well performed, or who hope for tn,
elevation OF political sentiment and the purifi
cation Of political methods
The existence Of immense aggregations o.
kindred enterprises and combinations Of bust
ness interests formed for the purpose OF limit
ing production and fixing prices, is inconsistent
with the fair field which ought TO be open u
every independent activity. Legitimate strif'
in business should not be superseded by an en-
forced concession 10 the demands OF combina