The independent., 1903-02-05
REFORMS COME SLOWLY
Mr., Settle Discusses the Slowness Of Ac-
complaining Reform and Necessity
for stead fastne

for stead fastness
Editor Independent: Since the
white man left the trough stone age
there have been countless questions
relative to a more advanced state or
civilization which have been fought
out and settled in such manner as
to best accomplish their design.
reference to almost any of the
great questions which have engaged
the attention of the leading men of
all ages will reveal the fact that re-
gardless of the justice or injustice OF
a given question it is very liable at
first to meet the disapproval OF a
very great number if not a majority
of the people to be benefited by its
solution. / have no desire to under
take the stupendous task of dispens-
ing with the liability of present day
questions taking the same course 9TH
ers have taken, but as one Of the hum
BILE members of society, as one who
cannot and does not desire to escape
the effect of legislation, good or bad,
/ deem it my duty to occupy my
humble position in life as advantag-
eously as possible. One of the rea-
sons land | think the best One) why
am willing to endure bad laws for a
time is because bad laws when fairly
tested will render good ones more per
manent when they appear. In my
judgment no one can be excused for
neglecting or refusing to play his part,
no matter how little, in bringing about
such legislation as will be commen-
surate to the needs of the people.
While American citizens enjoy privil-
eges, they also owe to their country,
their representatives and themselves
countless duties of which this par
ticipation in the solution Of pending
problems is one of the most impera
tive, being second only to obedience
to laws which have been thereby
been made possible. A realization OF
this duty ought to impel every man to
action.
At this time and in fact since the
establishment of our government the
money question has been wanting at
tention. 1t is receiving attention and
will continue to receive it, just SO
long as it remains the acknowledged
medium of trade. Some claim that
the question is dead. Those who are
most persistent in the claim are the
ones who know best that it is neither
dead, dying or sick.
Should those who cling to the god
standard idea remain in power, it can
not die, since it will require constant
action upon their rart to MAINTAIN
that power. Should they lose their
power it cannot die for the opposition
will upon it's assumption of control
proceed to action believed by it to be
more in accord with the wants of the
times So in either case the money
question will not and cannot die. Il
would seem that those who have been
so credulous as to believe in the al
legged death of this question are very
unmindful of the fact that much time
is always required in the accomplish
ment Of any great reform.
During the reign of Henry II. or
England the way was opened for some
constitutional amendments the effect
of which is felt by the subjects of the
British crown today. Henry II. made
repeated attempts to enforce the con-
stitutions of Clarendon to the end
that he might establish more just
and equitable system of administra-
ton of justice. The Historian Mont
gomery says his effort though baf-
fed was not wholly lost; like seed
buried in the soil, it sprang up and
bore good fruit in later generations.
The king reigned from 1854 to 1189
period of thirty-fve years, and nevet
lived to see his works bear fruit
wonder if the eminent men of his
realm did not boast over the death Of
his reforms.
The history of England reveals the