The Wichita daily eagle., 1894-02-07
FOR REPUBLICANS TO THINK ABOUT

| To the Editor of the Eagle.
Political extravaganza, the besetting
sin of state and national government, is
so rampant and formidable as to
threaten the very foundation and super
structure Of our free institutions. The
fundamental principles of our Republi
can form of government should strictly
| incline in all departments to the mos
rigid economy. We are not yet on a par
in lavish expenditure of public funds
with the monarchies of the old world,
but we are galloping that way mighty
fast. Demagogues and political satraps
are SO profuse with political sophistry
that they too often succeed in deceiving
the very elect. 1t always has been SO.
and will be; SO long as nations exist;
this is a bold assertion and if it be true.
then what use of combating the
enemies of truth and justice? Simply be-
cause truth is valiant, an eternal prin-
ciple an attribute of the Deity, impaired
to man to admonish his evil inclina-
tions. 1t does. however, most signally
fail to admonish those who are in office,
and those who want to get in; they are
much more interested in themselves
than the welfare of the people; they
have no scruples about enlarging their
salaries. and perquisites, and in making
room for as many outside confederates
as possible; they are actuated upon the
get there principle-tickle me and I'll
tickle you. The love of money and
position of ease for acquiring it by any
foul means whatsoever is the greatest
bane of partisan politics. Eternal
vigilance is the price of liberty" Only
few days ago state official made the
remark, our county officials are too
poorly paid. 1t may be justly inferred
that such sluthhounds pay no taxes.
Why in the name of common decency
is il? There are usually score of can
didates for each and every county Office,
eager to catch the prize of whatever
dimensions it may be and no conscien-
tious scruples about having it enlarged.
The inordinate desire for political power
is prevalent among men-like a
loathesome diseases shaping the
foundation of our government. 1t
may be true that every man should
be a politician;-it is true that
politics takes hold of every man whether
Ilc Dc WILLIE, VI hOt anu ~ ouSh d
ner as to find his pocket-book and rifle
the contcuts. The Republican party had
in consequence of long lease of power
become arrogant, extravagant and auda-
cious; blind to the popular and honest
sentiment of the people in their demand
for retrenchment and economy in all
departments of the national finances;
deaf to the power behind the throne-the
ballot box.
Since the party has been relegated to
the stool of repentance it would be well
to get down into the ashes of humiliation
and make confession of past and present
political sins. Three years should ie
sufficient for thorough regeneration.
Platform pledges are nothing but politi-
cal jargon designed to catch notes.-the
people know it and are tired of such
f1ippant mockerv. Republican law
makers have done very MANY grand
things for which the justly merit COM
mendation: they have also done some
grievous wrongs; notably, the demon
etizing of silver and their trucking poll
cv with foreign powers to establish an
international standard Of this precious
metal: there can be no patriotic Arneri-
can in it. Meanwhile let the party
leaders remain in sackcloth and ashes.
that in the end 1T may be pur flied and
sanctified and worthy of the suffrages OF
an outraged constituency.
L. w. RRocKwAx.