The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1910-07-15
MONEY TOO MUCH AN OBJ
JECT IN GOVERNMENT.

Whatever, may be the cause OF causes,
money is getting to be too much OF an
object in the government, OF the country
both in Stale and National affairs.
We are to apt 10 lose sigh; Of the
teachings Of experience and history. both
for our good in public as well ss in pri-
vate affairs
has been held and openly proclaimed
that by the payment OF large salaries the
incentive and inducement to stealing aud
dishonesty in public officials is elmi-
mated or largely reduced
In the history of our own times and
experience in our own country. this
teaching or maxim. has proved unavail-
ing, if not absolutely false
1t might avail much 10 accomplish the
results claimed for it. il the body OF the
people were OF a too high a standard Of
moral convictions and practices, but it is
absolutely dependent upon the standard
of public and general integrity. In a
condition OF false ideals, or moral de-
generacy it IS not only failure, but to
say the least, an abSurdity. Prior TO the
great Civil War, the salaries OF the pub
lie officials in this nation was not one
third of what they are today, and vet
we never heard OF dishonesty and cor
ruption among the public officials
The standard OF living was not greatly
different then from what they are al the
present time, or 10 the cost of living. OF
course. it was then as now. At times the
cost Of living was higher and at other
times lower. depending upon conditions
The expenses OF the family could be
made very high, provided that they de
sired 10 live extravsgantly.
The marked difference consisted in the
fact that the great majority OF the people
lived within their income and saved
something to lay aside for future neces-
SKIES The people were not in wild
hunttor vast sums of money TO waste
on exuavasant luxury taste or show.
In word the people believed before
the war, that there was something better
and more desirable than money.
A great change mas come over us
since the war, and it is most percepuble
to any intelligent mind who gives it
thought. To the honest and thoughtful
mind. there is cause for it. and the
cause viii be readily perceived upon the
slightest reflection.
Since the war the people have been
taught by precep, aud example, that YOU
can get anything for money
Ifyou have the money YOU can get
ANYTHING and set /, without, regard to
capacity or character.
The people have been taught that the
office Of President can be Dough, and
have seen it done.
They have been laugh, that il can be
stolen and have seen in done. The peo- /
pie have seen a Matthew Stanley QUAY
obtain seat in the United States Senate
and have there with him as a colleague.
Senator Thomas C Plat. from the great
State OF New York. They have also
seen elected TO the same Senate a man
BY the name Of Louier. from the great
State Of Illinois. get seat by wholesale I
bribery and corruption. THIS IS the /
same Senate tina, men like Clay, Web. !
Ster, Calhoun and Douglass made so dis
tinguiShed the world over Il money
does such things as this. then it is /
also entirely essential 10 get money and .
the necessary result is that people 20 to .
work and get ii. 1t is the lesson taught .
BY Shakespeare wisest character. get
money in thy purse Il takes money
to buy these results, and that being so.
they are bound TO recoup it out of the
places that they buy
That is human nature and 4 necessity
as well, and they sssuredly recoup, but
they so away beyond recoupment and
take an exorbitant bonus besides The
salary OF member Of Congress and the
Senate is three tines the amount that
Webster, Clay and Others received in
their day, and up TO the PERIOD of the
Civil War. The President now receives
three times as much as the Presidents
T eceiyed before the war. Think Of
VIM. H. Taft getting three times as
much salary as George Washington, and
Mr.. Jefferson and Mr. Lincoln received.
But beyond that when the people think
Of what is now allowed the President by
way Of contingent expenses-amounting
10 over three hundred thousand dollars.
i is enough to make them grow dizzy in
the contemplation. Verify it has become
. government OF money, by money and
Tor money. VIII it be destroyed by