West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-01-17
PRACTICAL POINTS AND CONCISE
COMMENTS CLEARLY DEL.
eNSTRlTED:
sa tblc Article on the Greatest 20.
Htica! Subject OF the Times We'll
Worth ReSalsg:
ny CO.: nosERr WILLIAM uoNAoe.

the last eight or ten yeafs Of "edu-
cation" that the two questions
having more Importance than AL
others to the people of the United
States, arc the tariff and finance.
1t must also be apparent to those
who have read a little, and observed
even carelessly, that what stands
most IN the way OF an adjustment
oil these questions, is pot so much
an ignorance of the proper course to
pursue, rs want Of courage to
pursue it. 1t is scarcely ever dl.n
cult to get the support and appro-
val Of all right thinking aud patri.
oiic men, of fair, equitable and
siintarY legislhtion. Laws of the
character indicated, are their own
best vindicItion. 4 few years of
operation prove their wisdom. and
all opposition and clamorlng cease.
1mpcrfection and rt-siyhtedness
mar all the works OF man, and
hence slight notifications and
amendments, from time to time,
may be necessary TO render such
faws as nearly perfect as human
wisdom can make them, but such
changes and amendments are usu.
ally made without friction or dis.
turbance OF the public interests. In
u government such rs ours, there is
one supreme test for the propriety
OF all legislation, and that is, .'Will
At confer the creates. good on the
greatest Aumber' OF the people ?
This great prIrc Chile is the true and
o7ty basis of republican government
rs We understand it. No govern
nent upon our model can long sub
slst. if hat principle is ignored.
The majority must rule IN truly
republican form of government. If
1t does not, anarchy first, and in
the end. desp0tism will This Is a
proposition that cannot, | think,
be gainsaid. Scarcely any law
can be enacted, that will not work
han dship or loss to some individual.
or some special interest. But b.
Cause 1t is a law of general utility
"thc greatest good to the greatest
nun Ger"-to a majority of all-it
must be tolerated and. enforced.
This IS true repubIicanism, and
true democracy. And the majority
ought not to require microscope
for its ascertainment. It ought to
be, and 5CW be, if the laws arc such
as they ought to be. emphatic and
unmistakable. As long, and Will.
ever the laws enacted in the States.
and by the Congress of the United
States conform to this model. the
people, if not always prosperous,
VIII always DC contented aud law
abiding. And on the contrary. if
the laws favor a fer without cor
responding benefits to the many:
IN other words, when the principle
is reversed; when The laws afTecting
the Whole people, operate directly
IN favor Of an uncomfortable few
Of the people, to the detriment Of
the majoriiy-the greatest good to
the h1st numbcr-the people will
B. dissatisfied, restless, and CORES
Pondingly less prosperous and hap
ny. Doyotng what / have To say
IN this article, mainly to oui tariff
system, and tariff laws, the INJURY
meets us 20 The very thresho.d Of
The discussion, TO which class do
;hey belong - r The system itself
wise and equitable. and such as
etn, vs. legislation, BE made 10 work
the greatest good to the greatest
number Of tic people in these
United Sta'e5 #rth ihe ful
knowledge that The position ann
gong tp bake aiii meet witbe storm
~ opposition, auI violent and Bit
ter criticism from many WHO may
rho,sc 90 road ofuouce ,Lis article.
set .arr Do t.Harcy FOO asseriaa