The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-11

Harrlson's candor. for he has none. we
cheerfulIy sscribe II, therefore, to its true
source-his want OF sense.
II there were a definite number OF men
IN the United States who were without
means Of support and without employ
ment, and 1t could be plainly shown that
IL was impossible for them TO obtain
either 1t would be the charitable
duty OF the respective State covenants
to provide them with with food, shelter
and clothing. In doing this II wohu
be far better that the government
should commence some sort OF pupnc
work. on which they might labor
for wages than to support them In idle
ness pure anl simple. But II would DC
;ts duty. even In this case, to turn each
one Off as fast as he could secure po-
sition in private employment that Wouiu
give him wages enough TO live on. But
this IS not what Mr.. Harrison means
He declares himself In favor OF creating
public works whether the government
reeds such works or whether It does not
cimply and purely that an excuse may De
found for raging into private pockets
norton OF the money contributed by the
taxpayers of the country TO the public
treasury for the support of the govern
ment Now, If this can be admitted as
sound principle Of government where are
the limits that are TO be put TO it? Are
ali the persons who ask for government
employment to be taken into the govern
ments service, or, is it to be given to
those only who have a pull" upon those
who administer the governments II the
former, then we know Of course, that
the principle would utterly demoralize
all the labor Of the country. Public labor
is controlled by persons who owe their
Offices % politics and votes. As the labor
ers are also voters, their controller is not,
Of course, going to incur their displeasure
either by niggardly wages or insisting
upon earnest, hard work. The govern
ment then, If it takes all who apply. Will
soon have in its employment all the labor
Of the Country thereby arresting all pri-
vate enterprise to create public works
that It has no sort OF use for. Either
this, or it must put these laborers TO
work in the ordinary avenues or private
enterprise, thereby ending all private en-
terprise and making the government the
conductor Of all the business, manufac-
lures, and enterprises Of the country.
This must surely happen under a system
which makes the government accept the
services Of every person who asks for en-
ployment, and, however startling 1t may
be, IT is not at all novel, II is socialism
pure and simple, and is now, and long has
been preached as such. This must hap
pen If the government employs all who
ask for employment. What will happen
if it discriminates? Those will get the
employment who can log-roll in politics
best, and who have the largest gang Of
heelers and "toe warmers" in their train
But, if employments are to be given out,
not that the government wants things TO
be created but that public money may be
distributed what justice is there in Civ
ing the employment to only a part of the
population? If the government IS to deal
in largesses, these largesses should go to
all the people equally, or government is
not for the interest Of all, but for the
interests Of only few.
We think when Mr., Harrison reflects
Of he is capable of doing such thing,
he will see that a policy of this sort is
very far from preserving mems self
respect and conducting to a higher order
of citizenship" and that the only way he
can secure these desirable results is to
have a government Of equal laws bearing
equally on all, which shall secure to every
man absolute protection in that
which is his own, but shall put every one
on his own mettle to prosper if he is sober.
Industrious and frugal, and to go into the
poverty and decay that attends idleness
and dissipation.