New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-17

Devices TO save "A self governing people from
the risk and trouble of governing themselves
are futile Much has been said of late about a
permanent tariff commission 10 have entire
power 10 adjust rates on the various imported
articles. Congress fixing only the general per
centagc or the amount OF revenue required ana
a meeting Of worthy gentlemen this week dc-
voted some time 10 the maturing or such Il
scheme. Other excellent people are moving Tor
n permanent currency commission, 10 take en-
tire charge of all questions regarding coinage
and currency. The private consultations OF me
President with few NewIork bankers result
inc In an offer of bonds, his Secretary or the
Treasury being meanwhile kept in ignorance or
thc matter indicates his feeling that another
commission ought 10 be created 10 take en'ir"
charge Of Treasury operations not Including. or
course the appointment Of an army OF sibordi-
mates.
All Mans and performances Of this nature
have their root in dls,rust of The people. and
of their ability To govern wisely through con
siitutional methods and in desire 10 save them
from the disastrous effects of their mistakes.
The people. i, IL asserted. cannot or do not
elect representatives capable Of framing Il wise
tariff. or wise currency laws, and there result
egregious blunderS. perpetual ag'atoh' anu
nrolonged and destructive uncertainty. All this
could be avoided 10y appointing Il Few men l"r
life. and intrusting them with entire power as
EXPERTS 10 frame such laws. II these men could
ONLY be- selected So as 10 represent moi the diner-
ent sections States or districts with their varl-
o,,s local interests as the Constitution provides
but in equal proportion certain Imaginary
classes. such as manufacturers. farmers ana
laborerS, then indeed the people would be lie
lishtfully relieved from the cares and trench
dous RESPONSIBILITIES Of self-gOverninent, and
would have only the fun Of voting themselves
into paying offices.
II IS 10 these reformers no answer 10 say that
their plans are against the spirit Of the Consii-
tuition Their main idea Is 10 cure what th"y
believe 10 be radical and extremely Costly he
feet in the Constitution as 1t stands. 1T Tue
people do not know enough 10 elect competent
or Trustworthy lawmakers. If they cannot De
trusted not 10 be freakish or have nighty craZes
and 10 vote the bread out OF their own MOUTHS
without reason If a President cannot be trusted
to select a financial adviser whom he thhAS
competent. or to change him il he proves III
competent, then there must result 10 the people
friehtfu loss and suffering which, II Is gayly
assumed would all be avoided by selecting sun
dry commissioners for life 10 do the delicate ana
responsible work Of governing.
II IS an answer that no such arrangement
conld stand one hour longer than Congress
should see lit 10 have II stand. and the commits
sion would be tipped into the wastebasket Win
all IFS regulations, whenever the people Indulge
I'm one Of their freaks or fail 10 elect sensible
Congressmen Behind this l. the larger fact
that there Is no way Of educating the people
except through their own mistakes. for which
they have to bear the cost II they are foolish
and suffer. they know more next time. II
they elect man IN the idea that he Is miracle
Of wisdom and he proves To be something else
they will omit him thereafter. III they trust q
party or a set Of Congressman. and get wages
| reduced and business slaughtered in consc
ouence they will look for different party and
| different men The most valuable thing In Tho
| world is body Of educated voters. and tha
| priceless blessing government by commission
| would throw away.
| Finally, a stream will not rise higher than i''
| source. and It IS a childish dream to hope FOL
selection of wise men by Il foolish Congress 81
| n foolish people. The men who would be chosen
| by this Congress- for example. would be tn
very men who have made all the mischief. TIT
| men who would have been selected by the peo
| ple knowing as little as the majority did II
| 1892. would have given us something worse
| than the Wilson bill But the men who wo'll'
| be selected by The people knowing as much "a
| they know to-day, might be wise enough to Civ
| us something as good as the next Congress co'll'
| and not better. There Is no conceivable wa.
for a nation to lift itself by lis own boostraps
or TO contrivc governing machinery which shal
be wiser than the people who cOntrive H. Tn
only hope is TO teach the people themselves. ant
they have been taught some during the las
two years.