New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-15
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
THE CHINESE METHOD ADVISED.
HALvING OF GOVERNMENT SALARIES RECON-
MENpED IN HARD TIMES.


To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: When / was boy my boyish confidence In
the Christian religion was greatly shocked at hear
ing an old man once say in criticsing the mis-
sionary efforts OF the Church to convert the
heathen that IT would be more ike the eterhai
fitness OF things for China to send missionaries
TO America than for Americans to send missioh-
aries to China. In support OF his theory ne gave
several reasons among which were the Indus
trious and economical habits or the Chiha"'en'
which, he said, Americans could learn with al
vantage At that early day the Chinese were I'M
known 10 the vast majority OF our people; OF iate
years they familiar to nearly every one.
To the writer's mind the old mans ideas were
not wide OF the mark; but there was one trait III
the Chinaman's character that he did NOT az tna'
early day notice II so. he failed to mention IL 10
their credit. 1t is this: They are superior states
men: or, at least. their political economy shows
up TO n much better advantage In every hght III
which you view IL than that OF our enlightened
Christian statesman. Especially Is this true "heh
considered from a patriotic point Of view. In the
light Of pure patriotism our American Congress-
men and legislators not I'm It with John
Chnaman Let give one single instance
When the revenues Of China fail of meeting the
expenses the Emperor does not rack his brain
to find what article OF the necessaries OF the CON-
mon people will bear higher tax. or how ne
may increase the revenues by increasing the taxes
or the people. lie simply does as
Quoted business enterprises do lie reduces the
expenses OF the Government by ordering reduc-
ton of official salaries one-half Take; Tor m
stance. the conduct of the Emperor Of china when
epidemic OF yellow fever involved the 'ninese
In distress He ordered as n measure Of relief to
officials OF 30 per cent. Now. compare TINS WIN
the acts OF Democratic President ana ke-
publican Congress who in the face OF me nsr
Treasury bankruptcd and one-half the American
ready to vote to repudiate their Naiionai ana ia
the case Of the Senatorial contes, now gong on o.,
Harrisburg, Penrl at each Others throats' sca ho
dalizei the American people in the eyes OF the
Can IT, in face of the scandalous charges OF
bribery and per;sry in all our various forms or
people are capable OF self-goyernment as are
the heather Cinnamon? Had Grover Cleveland
been imbued with the same pa,rot'G sentiments tnnIS
stood by and seen his Government on the verge or
going into the hands Of \ receiver and compelled
the Ordinary expenses? Had Grover Cleveland
recommended Congress to repeal the salary grao
of 1873 for signing which all the Democratic press
peached he would have saved issuing a bond. be-
sides lifting one-half the burden OF the Govern.
OF every 100 of the American people seeking a
plausible pretext to loot their municipal state
publican system OF government TO escape pahK
ruptcy2 The writer wrote to President Grant az
was passed that II he allowed II TO become a law
Il would begin era OF extravaganza ana cor
ruption that IN twenyvc yaarS wG ne I'm ap.
other civil rendering all our sacritces 70 pre-
serve the Union along with the spiendld mlli iay
with two years TO run. hold there Is no prophecy
in the history of civil! governments that has hit
the bull s-eye nearer the centre than my predc-
tion I hold the subsidized, partisan. public press
responsible for the present corrupt state and con-
diton of our government D. H. oOhEl'
ttchn i.