The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-09
a DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.

The present floods in the Mississippi
Valley exceed in extent, hight of the
waters and the amount Of property de-
stroyed and the lives lost any previous
disaster Of that kind. The great mis-
fortune kindles sympathy in every
quarter of the land, and ought to quick
en- fingers to open purses right and lett
for the relief of the homeless and suf-
fering.
Congress, on the recommendation of
the President, has directed 100000 to
be expended in food for the sufferers.
This is an act indicative of the strong
sentiment of sympathy in that body
for the sufferers. That there are prec-
edents for such action will not be de-
MED but it remains nevertheless that
there is grave doubt as to the consti-
tutional right of Congress to do any
thing of the kind.
If that body may give 100000 of
the peoples money to relieve flood suf-
fererS, it may give twice and thrice
that SUM anu oil VI TIE ilSe1ouiJ' ~
may spend the money of the people for
those suffering because of confiagra-
tons, shipwreck, earthquake, disease
cyclone and blizZard-in short, there
would be no end to the disbursement
Of public money in that way, and other
than for the support Of the Govern
fent, the discharge of Government Ii
abilities, and the promotion Of gov
ernmental purposes.
The President says in his message
that precedents for such action are not
wanting in the history of Congressional
action. But it will be observed that
the President was careful to abstain
from any attempt to legally justify the
donation. The objection to the pro-
ceeding of Wednesday made by Mr..
Walker Of Massachusetts was not
merely technical nor was it unchar-
table He was constitutionally sound
on the proposition that no constitu-
tional warrant can be found for the
use of the public money in private
charity. The money of the people is
collected and placed in the treasury
for the express purpose Of govern
mental support and promotion, and is
not to be given to any section for re-
lief of distress, or for any other OBJ
ject beyond the purpose of mainte-
nance of Government.
We are perfectly well aware that this
may be an unpopular view Of the mat
ter, but that it is the constitutional
and safe view will not be denied by
the thoughtful students of constitu
tional law. The contribution of 500
000 made by Congress to the relief of
the sufferers on the Mississippi testifies
to the greatness of the American heart
and the generosity Of Congress. But
such aid so given tends to check the
spirit of aid that should flow from the
individual impulse To help our neigh
Dor in distress is one of the noblest
promptings of our hearts. 1t is a duty
and a pleasure to open hand and door
tied by affiiction. When government,
however, steps in and does for US that
which we should do as individuals for
ourselves it weakens the spirit Of Civ
ing and tends to relieve us of the sense
of responsibility that every man should
feel for his fellow. Just as that sensi-
bility to duty is broken down and re-
lance placed upon government to do
that which should be the free-will Of
fering Of the individual, we approach
the danger point where paternalism
win threaten to usurp the independence
oe IND