Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1903-07-17
UNFAIR CRITICISM.

UNFAIR CRITICISM.
Just now there is a great deal of
fault finding concerning the work of
the last Legislature. This is not so par
ticularly noticeable among the people
rs q body, as it is in the columns Of
the press. Among other things it is
claimed that the irrigation law is Of
no value; that the Eight-hour law is
vicious, injurious and unconstitutional
and that the laws fixing the rate of
taxation for cities and towns are IL
legal measures.
There may be exceptions, but, as a |
rule, these criticisms are inspired by
some motive other than a sincere re-
gard for the public good. This is clear
ly shown by the animus displayed by
the writer's Some are manifestly actu-
ated by desire to make a point ag-
ainst the party in power, while others
are clearly Influenced by feeling of
personal pique.
The simple truth is that all of the
legislation referred to is somewhat
experimental in character, and not
having been fully and fairly tested, no
man has any warrant to pronounce it
bad legislation. No law should be con-
demned without fair trial, and these
IN honn trind of oil
If the Nevada Legislature had not
shown disposition to cooperate with
the National Government, it is clear
beyond dispute that none of the bene-
fits of the Federal Irrigation law would
have come this way. AS it is, we must
believe that Nevada is in line for
fair share of those benefits, or else
we must believe that President ROOse-
welt told an untruth on the occasion of
his recent visit to Carson.
So of the Eight-hour law The fact
that some employees are not willing to
obey it, does not prove that the law
is a bad one. Naturally the employers
want to get as much for their money
as they can, and hence in many cases
they favor the longest possible hours
and the smallest pay at which they can
induce men to work. On the other hand
the laborer is anxious to shorten his
hours of toll and increase his pay.
This is part of the great conflict be-
&~roox ooni&o1 1ohor
The Government of the United
States has adopted the rule and estab-
lished it as a precedent that eight
hours of honest labor shall constitute
a days work Many of the States and
municipalities have followed this pre-
cedent. Therefore, the attempt to es-
tablish the same rule in private en-
ployment can hardly, in fairness, be
deemed vicious, although in some
cases it might be impracticable. The
legal aspects of all such questions are
of course, to be passed upon by the
courts.
Of the new tax laws it may be said
that they represent an honest desire
to reform the system of taxation in
this State. In general, the reductions
provided for come somewhat gradually
and if the laws need ameding SO as tt
meet the exigencies of special case!
it can easily be done before any seri
GUS complications arise.
r0fov
red to, the first steps must be takel
or nothing will ever be done. Necessa
rily there is a chance of mistakes be
ing made which will have to be col
rected later on. Very few laws of
comprehensive character are perfec
when first enacted. Almost invariabl
amendments are required to max
them fit particular circumstances an
often they have to be repealed to d
It. Doubtless mistakes were made b
the last Legislature. The members {
that body were not perfect. Neitht
were they mostly knaves or fools.
the main they we're good represent
tive men, and while criticism of the
work is eminently proper, such cri
cism should be in spirit of conse
vatism and fairness. Any other is
waste of mental effort for in the el
it will fall utterly fiat, and even rect
upon those who indulge in it.
u!IllhllIl!IIIlIlI
Flume wearing Completion.