Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1902-07-11
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OPPOSED 10 PCBLIc WELkARE.

hloS uAhSSok HEONhGt. ENCS lbsklbuhiOIbt
il developed along their true lines Of
growth. especially favor patriotism; il
turned aside from the public welfare,
they are peculiarly iLimicsl 10 it. Tie
sense Of justice. Of civic conditions es.
serti ally the came for all under the
public veal. is the foundation OF love
Of country. Inequality Of opPortuni.
ties, the graspinR temper OF the strong.
is most unfayorable to that good will
which, sboull incite man in pursuing
their common welfare.
P~rotectiopism, RI developed in the
United States. il profoundly opposed
to patriotism. II begets a temper for
Ge:ful OF the public welfare, exacling
N private claims and full OF personal
strife. This is its own inner DISPOSE
ton, and once established IA u public
policy it carries this disposition with
it everywhere in all forms OF civic &C.
ton.
The little kernel OF sound theory that
may in the beginning have lain at the
bottom Of protection was shortly lost
sight OF in a greedy struggle between
ever increasing claimants tu retain old
and win new advantages. Tue CON.
mon aims for which legialation il or
dained were nor and more brushed
aside, and every mnn, busily occupied
with his interests, was taught tn
aDtagoniZc the n to tho interests OF
others i'll public affairs. OuE civic lite
became Il game OF hurry bury, i'll winch
each man sought a place for himself
How natural WIS it Tint The steel com.
bine, bred and huilt up ON this pabu
iun ~ protectiu!. should in the recent
strike make uu Vinlication Of policy,
no appeal 70 tho public, show none Of
the |decen. respect for the opinions Of
mankind- which our forclathers
thought fitting, but should rely simply
on the hard fact OF force tn maintain
aud extend ;he power the public had
conceded to it.! The temper was: Let
those workmen whine aud PROFOUND
and propitiate. We know our own buzz.
moss and propose 10 pursue it IN orr
own way. Wa will not kick the less
because we have grown CAT ut the pub
lie crib. We will mol resist con.bina.
ton the less because vt are the largest
combination IN the world.
One Of the surprises in the develop.
ment OF IN na,iopal life las been tho
spirit OF our private appropriation AS up
posen to the public welfare which has
l toll If, V,n.y.-,,,,, ~ ~. - -.
no limits 10 individull enter prise. IL q
franchise could be secured, no scruples
have stool in the way. Legislation
which aimed ut an equal division OF
advantages. IA 10 tie restricted sale Of
publir lands, has been baif!cd in every
variety Of method Lands which we're
devoted 10 public education became the
prey OF the land grabber. The policy
of private thrift which gained such a
footholi i'll protection has spread every
whore. Oar railroads have been left
in the hands ~ corporations for narrow
aud personal u-es. Private property
has grown up in our streets and high.
waya, and iht commercial Opportuni.
ties which have been the fruit of our
common enter prise have been conveIt l..
ed INTO personal possessions. The in.
direct evils Of protection III We far ex.
coed ii its direct evils. A temper has
been eukendered which has respected
no claim and spared no common
privilege.
II there has been war, We have hnd
shoddy clothing, eu.bHlmed beef and Il
rush OF the incompetents into prominent
petitions. Wo have made Of office an.
other form Of spoil. No i~n:eTeat nf
peace or Of "a has been Of too grave
moment to be exploited by those nenreat
at hand. la protection we unleashed
the oRRer pack OF honuds that now rush
shifting md baying in all directions till
not a cat or kitten can escape, The
doctrine Of equality OF rights simply
furnishes the obst ructioDs To be lcaped
in this hurdle race.
This temper has already gone far to
%cndanger the public safety. Our chief
misrule ia tho corruption ~ our cities,
and their corruption is primarily the
ptVNNCI III VIC ppItlCHi or
corporations which buy the good will OF
political parties in absolute Indifference
to the public welfare. They remain idle
spectators OF the abuscs Of Ruyor nment
IL their own sclrrmeR are left 10
prosper.
Ia not the public welfare identical
with tie wealth Of individually This is
the question we have put ourselves. and
we have answered il with the policy ni
protection till We have difficulty IN
resisting a ship subsidy to rebound ii
the benefit Of such corporations IA tho
Standard OIL Company. Patriotism Gun.
not thrive in che atmosphere we have
provided for II. IL NO would restore and
strengthen love Of county. We nusG got
back h tho prosperity Of the masses of
men the people aud the nntion ne uhc
true aim Of go 'ernmcnt.--Proicse0r
John Bascom.
4 Great Temptation
81 had been talking for tvo honrs