The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-01
THE CunsEs FROM rHorEorIoN.

We have had occasion more than once
TO speak OF the good sense and sound
st1tesmanship of the Hon. j. Sterling
Morton. member Of Mir Cleveland's
Cabinet. Every time ne IS heard from
he adds TO our respect for him. one of his
friends i'm Nebraska having written to
him asking his opinion Of Coxey's move
mcnt. he replied. and his answer has
got into print. We reproduce the follow
ing from f.:
$50 far / have heard Of no farmer
leaving bis home for the purpose of
walking 10 WASHINGTON iu the ranks of
the 'CoNoy army And l doubt whether
there is "a single owner OF either q rural
or AN urban home in the entire multi
tule. However. WOrbingmcn for thirty
years have observed that protection pill
grims have been constantly invading
Washington for the purpose Of securing
legislative aid ia their business enter
priscs.
THE protcctionists during these years
have taught the wage-earners Of the
Uuitcd States that their object in formu-
Htug legislation was invariably 10 so
adjust the laws as to compel them tthat
is. the prctecuonists-the mauufacturersl
to pay higher wages 10 their employees,
ana at the same time force them 0hc
protectionists) = sell the products of the
labor Of those employees al smaller prices
and lesser profits And the CoXey cX-
petition 10 Washington seems 10 me to
be q very logical sequence Of the protec-
ton pilgrimage which we have had here
tOfore.
1.-The difference between the wage-earn-
er and the protectonist manufacturer
IS that the former comes ont openly and
afoot and asks direct Government ail
for class. while the latter has always
come i'm Pullman cars and asked aid for
itself under the pretcnse and disguise Of
seeking to philanthropically help the
Wage-earners
"The CoXey army is simply a large
kindergarten class in protection After
years of McKinleyism they have adopted
the methods of prOtectionists and now
ask support from the Government. Their
demands are patterned after those of
the protecuonists. Their method of en-
forcing them differs IN directness from
the methods Of those who have exercised
the taxing power by levying tributes.
under the euise of patriotism, upon ali
of us to enrich a few Of us"
This is entirely true. Coxey's demand
that the Government shall provide pay
ing work for his tramps differs in no
respect whatever from the protected
manufacturers demand that the Govern
ment shall force all the other Amer
leans TO pay him for his articles more
than they are worth, in order that he
may provide work and wages for laboring
men. The claims of both are identical in
principle.
There is no telling how deeply the
poison Of paternalism and socialism has
been driven down into the minds and
souls of our people by this prospect ever
held before their eyes Of the Government
protecting" certain parts of the popula-
ton and securing to them benefits at the
expense Of other parts of it. If one portion
Of the population may ask from the
Government tenehts which. indeed. come
out of the pockets of other portions Of
il. then every other portion OF the popu-
lauon naturally reasons that 1t also has
a right TO so TO the Government for
benefits. And, in truth, il one has she
right every other portion must have
the same right. and we should in the end
eat each other up after the Kilkenny cat
fashion.
The most striking illustration we have
met Of the length TO which this poison
Gus doctrine has carried the minds of
men is an article in the May number
Of the Forum by DIR. Stephen Colt of
New York, who occupies position OF
distinction in that city. lie seriously
proposes that the city OF New York shall
borrow ten millions Of dollars and spend
it within the next six months in paying
wages on improved public works, whether
the works are needed or not. Private
employers" says he, "have neither work
nor wages TO offer. but there is in each
city in the United States one employer
who Is rich enough to Day the wages.