The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-13
Words Timely and to the Point.

The speech delivered by Governor
Hastings before the state grange on
Thursday has attracted much atten-
ton by reason Of its exceptional can
dor. Some have read in it indications
Of bellgerent political significance but
this is doubtless a sensational interpre-
tation. The speech itself went no fur
ther than to give to the farmers OF
Pennsylvania some crisp and whole
some advice. and so long as the advice
itself is good,the motive which prompt
ed 1t need not be discussed '.'''..'
Beginning with rational statement
of the position held by agriculture
among the legitimate vocations, the
governor came at last to his objective
point in these words: Public taxa
tion is a necessary incident to all gov
ernment and the farmer will uncom-
plainingly contribute his share, where
the burden rests fairly and equitably
upon all. But his duty does not end
with the payment of the tax. He is
equally responsible for it's expenditure.
lie and his co-taxpayers are the dis
bursers through their duly authorized
agents in the halls of legislation. The
treasury would be overfiowng If your
agents would not let the monev run
out as fast as it flows in. The watering
trough in the barnyard is hardly ever
full when the waste plug is knocked
out. If you do not want your share of
the public burden of taxation to be
frittered away in useless expenditure,
eXorbitant appropriation, or aimless ex-
pense of investigating committees,
whose purpose is to obscure or conceal
the truth, it is your fault if you do not
stop it. If your capitol building should
he destroyed by fire and could be re-
built by the expenditure of half a mil
lion dollars, you should not be taxed
millions on millions to aid a subterfuge
or delusion which might only enrich
some favorite architect or building
contractor, and compel you to give a
share Of your wheat and corn, your
oats and potatoes to those who have
no call upon your bounty, your SYM
pathy or your patriotism. You had
better rise in your might and drive
from place and power those who mis-
represent you and your interests"
These words. from whatever motive
spoken, are certainly timely words, tina
II needed cannot result in harm. That
there has heen in recent legislative
work in this state a recklessness in
public expenditure criminal in effect,
whether criminal in int tent or not, is
generally believed the vote of DR.
swallow showed that. 1t is high time
not only for farmers but for all other
honest citizens to give thought and ef-
fort to the subject OF remedy. The
remedy lies less in the direction OF
pulling some ambitious politicians
chestnuts out of the fire than in that of
exercising at the next legislative and
state convention primaries a wise dis
elimination in the choice of candidates,
to the end that men put in represen-
tative position at Harrisburg, either as
delegates or as legislators, will repre-
cent truly and bravely the common de-
cency and honesty OF the people who
send them and demonstrate to all cav
ilers the abundant sufiiciercy of the
present system of government through
party when the men back of it do their
duty.
For conspicuously inculcating this
necessary lesson the governor deserves
our Marmest thanks.