Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-03-06
MR.. CLEVELANDS ADDRESS.
A short, Excellent and Expressive Docu-
ment-His Policy Briefly Outlined.

A short, Excellent and Expressive Docu-
ment-His Policy Briefly Outlined
WASHINGTON. d. c., March 4.-President
Cleveland, after the oath had been admin
lstered, spoke rs follows:
Ny FELLOW CITIZENS: In obedience TO
the mandate OF my countrymeni am
about 10 dedicate myself 10 their service
under the sanction of a solemn oath. Deeply
moved by the expression OF confidence ana
personal attachment which has called me 10
this service, l am sure my gratitude can
make no better return than the pleoge
now give, before God and these witnesses,
of unreserved and complete devotion TO the
interests and welfare Of those who have
honored me. | deem 10 fitting on this occa-
sion, while indicating the opinions l hold
concerning public questions OF present I'M
pOrtance, TO also briefly refer 10 the exist
ence of certain conditions and tendencies
among our people which seem 10 msnace
the integrity and usefulness OF their gov
eminent.
While every American citizen must con-
template with the utmost pride and enthus-
iasm the growth aud expansion or our
country, the sufficieucy OF our institutions
TO stand against the rUdest shocks OF vlo-
leuce, the wonderful thrift and enterprise
OF our people. and the demonstrated su-
periority OF our free government 1t be-
hooves US 70 constantly watch for every
symptom Of any insidlous inhrmlty that
threatens our national vigor. The strong
man who. in the confidence OF sturdy
health, courts the sternest activities Of life
and retoices in the hardihOOd Of constant
labor, may still have lurking near his
vitals the UNDECIDED disease that dOoms him
10 sudden collapse. IL cannot be DOUBTED
that our stupenGous achievements as
people aud our country's robust strength
have given rise to a 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.
A SOUND AND STABLE CURRENCY.
Manifestly nothing is more vital to our
supremacy as q nation, and TO the 0ene-
fcent purposes of our Government, than
sound and stable currency. Its exposure
10 degradation should at Once arouse 10 &C
tivity the most enlightened craftsmanship;
and the danger Of depreciation IN the pur-
chasing power Of the wages paid 10 toll
should furnish the strongest incentive TO
prompt and conservative precaution.
In dealing with our present emoarrass'
ing system IS related 10 this subject, we
will be wise if we temper cur confidence
and faith in our national strength and re-
sources with the frank concession that even
these viii not permit US to defy with i'm
punity the ineXOraole laws OF finance AT
The same time, in our efforts to adjust diff
ferences Of opinion, we should be free
from intolerance or passion, and our judg-
ments should be unmoved by alurlng
phrases and unvexed by selfish interests.
am confident that such an approach to
the subject will resultin prudent and effect
a al rfcla n
so far as the executive branch of the Gov
eminent can intervene, none OF the powers
with which 10 is invested will be withheld
when their exercise is deemed necessary to
maintain our national credit or avert tinan-
cial disaster.
THE TARIFF QUESTION.
Closely related TO the exaggerated conf
dence in our country's greatness, which
tends 70 a disregard of the rules OF national
safety, another danger cOnfronts US not less
serious. refer TO the prevalence Of a pop
ular disposition to expect from the opera
ton OF the Government especial and direct
individual advantages. The verdict OF our
voters, which condemned the injustice Of
maintaining protection for projections
sake. enioins upon the peoples servants the
duty of exposing and destroying the brood
of kindred evils which are the unwhole-
some progeny Of pGternaism. This is the
bane OF republican 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
beOueathed % Us as an object or our love
and generation. II perverts the patriotic
sentiments OF our countrymen and tempts
them 10 pitiful calculation OF the s0rdid
gain TO be derived from their governments
maintenance. 1t undermines the self-reli
ance Of our people, and substitutes in its
place, dependence upon governmental IA
voritism. ItstiheS the spirit of true Amer
icanism and stupehes every ennobling trait
OF American citizenship. The lessons OF
paternalism ought TO be unlearned and the
better lesson taught, that while the people
should periodically and cheerfully support
their government, its functions do not in
clude the support Of the people.
RECKLESS PENSION EXPENDITURES.
The acceptance Of this principle leads to
a refusal of bounties and subsidies which
burden the labor and thrift OF portion of
our citizens 10 aid ill.advised or anguish
ing enterprises in which they have no con-
Germ. 1t leads, also. TO a challenge of wild
and reckless pension expenditures, which
Overleaps the bounds Of grateful recogni-
ton Of patriotic services and prostitutes TO
vicious uses the peoples prompt and gen
erOus impulse 70 aid those disabled in their
COuntry's defense.
Every thoughtful American must real,
ize the importance Of checking al
its beginning any tendency, in pub
lie or private station, 10 regard
frugahty and economy as virtues
which we NAV safely outgrow. The toll
81 ff,fa An rs.etr1fa N fhn Of
the peoples money by their chosen serv-
ants. and encourages prodigslity and ex-
travagance IN the home life OF our country
men. Under our scheme Of government,
the waste OF public money Is crime against
the citizen and contempt OF our people for
economy aud frugality Of our national
character. IL is plain dictate Of honesty
and good government that public expendi-
lures should be limited by public neceSSi-
", aud that this should be measured by the
rules Of strict economy; and 1t IS equally
clear that ffUgality among the people is the
best guaranty of a contented mind, and
strongest support Of free institutions.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
One mode Of misrepresentation Of public
funds is avoided when appointments TO Of
fee, instead OF being the rewards of parti-
san activity, are awarded 10 those whose
efficiency promises fair return Of work
for the compensation paid 10 them. To Sc
cure the fitness and competency Of appoint
ees TO ONCE, and to remove from political
action thedemoralizing madness for spoils,
civil service reform has found a place in
our public policy and laws. The benefits
already gained through this Instrumental
it,, and the further usefulness il promises,
entitle it 10 the hearty support and encour-
agement Of all who desire to see our public
service well performed. or who hope for