Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-04
Vol. 80, No. 2O,5O2.

poses Of our government than o sound and
stable currency. Its exposure to degradation
should at once arouse to activity the most
enlightened statesmanship; and the danger Of
depreciation in the purchasing power Of the
wages paid to toll should furnish the strongest
incentive to prompt and conservative precau-
ton.
In dealing with our present embarrassing
situation as related to this subject we will be
wise if we temper our confidence and faith
in our national strength and resources, with
the frank concession that even. these will
not permit us to defy with impunity the mex
orabie 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 alluring phrases and unvexed by selfish in
terests
am confident that such an approach to the
subject will result in prudent and effective
remedial legislation. In the meantime. SO far
as the executive branch of the government can
intervene, none of the powers With which it is
invested will be withheld, when their exercise
is deemed necessary to maintain our national
credit or avert financial disaster.
Closely related to the exaggerated confidence
IN our country's greatness which tends to dis
regard Of the rules of national safety, another
danger confronts US not less serious. / refer to
the prsyalencs of poplar disposition to expect
from the operation of the government especial
and direct individual advantages.
The verdict of our voters, which condemned
the injustice of maintaining protection for
projections sake. enjoins upon the peoples
servants the duty of exposing and destroying
the brood of kindred evils which are the I'M
wholesome progeny of paternalism. This is
the bane of republican institutions and the
constant peril of our government by the peo-
pie. 1t degrades TO the purposes of willy craft
the plan of rule our fathers established and be-
queathed to us as an object Of our love and
veneration. 1t perver;s the patriotic senti-
ment OF our countrymen, aud tempts them to a
pitiful calculation of the sord;d gain TO be de-
rived from their governments maintenance.
II undermines the self-reliance of our people,
and substitutes in its place dependence upon
governmental favoritism. 1t Suites the spirit
of true Americanism and stupefes every en-
nobling trait of American citizenship.
The lessons of paternaIism ought to be I'M
learned and the better lesson taught that
while the people should periodically and cheer
fully support their government its functions
do not include the support Of the people.
The acceptance of this principle leads to a
refusal of bounties and subsidies which burden
the labor aud thrift of a portion of our citi-
zens, to aid Ill-advised or languishing enter
prises in which they have no concern. 1t leads
also to a challenge of wild and reckless pension
expenditure, which overleaps the bounds OF
grateful recognition of patriotic service and
prostitutes to vicious uses the peoples prom pit
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 public private station, to re-
gard frugality and economy as virtues which
may safely outgrow. The liberation of this
idea results in the waste Of the peoples money
by their chosen servants. and encourages prod
igality and extravaganza in the home life OF
our countrymen.
Under our scheme of government the waste
of public money is a crime against the citizen.
and the contempt of our people for economy
and frugality in their personal affairs deplor-
ably saps the strength and sturdiness of our
national character.
1t is plain dictate of honesty and good gov
eminent that public expenditures should be
limited by public necessity, and that this should
be measured by the rules of strict economy,
and it is equally clear that frugality among the
people is the best guaranty Of a contented and
strong support Of free institutions.
One mode of the misappropriation Of public
funds is avoided when appointments to Office,
instead of being the rewards Of partisan ac-
tivity, are awarded to those whose efficiency
promises fair return of work for the COM
pensation paid to them. To secure the
fitness and competency of appointees to office,
and to remove from political action the demon
aiizing madness for spoils, civil service reform
has found place in our public policy
and laws. The benefits already gained
through this fundamentally and the further
usefulness it promises entitle it TO the hearty
support and encouragement Of all who desire
to see our public service well performed or who
hope for the elevation of political sentiment
and the publication of political methods.
The existence of immense aggregations of kim
dred enterprises and combinations of business
interests, formed for the purpose of lin
iting production and fixing prices, is incon-
sistent with the fair field which ought to
be open to every independent activity. Legit-
innate strife in business should not be super
seeded by enforced concession to the de-
mands of combinations that have the power
to destroy; nor should the people to be served
lose the benefit of cheapness, which
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