The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-20
a State Issue.

Editor of The Richmond Nirgnian:
sir.-The Virginian right when it said
not a national, issue" The tendency of late
years, under Republican presidents has been to
increase the power and authority Of the federal
government at the expense of that of the States.
Some Democrats even have become affected by
the idea of Capitalization and have lost sight of
one of the fundamental principles Of Democracy.
The establishment and conduct of schools, the
construction and maintenance of roads, the
tension or restriction of suffrage the prevention
Of fraud and corruption in elections the regu-
lation OF domestic commerce--these, together
with questions relating to both direct and repre-
sentative government. properly matters of
the several States The growth of federal pa
tronaRe and the swollen expenditures of the
United States government are generally conceded
to be great checks to the efficiency of the gen
eral government. President Wilson has seen fit
to leave the appointment of officers largely with
the heads Of the departments He has rec2G-
nzed the growing evil and in his late order
sought TO do much 70 abate it, yet even much
of his very valuable time must be given 10 rs
tenng to the opportunities of friends OF office
seekers. IT is all right for congressman TO
obtain positions in the federal service for capable
and worthy constituents and to see that his dis
trict gets It's rightfu share of public money but
the idea that he is paid 81 per ennum only
To secure approprfations and patronage is ii dan
gerous one Federal aid of many millions is now
] nronosed for agricultural schools and the pub
lie roads This. if carried out means greater
scramble for local appropriations ana ultimate
ly TO increase in the number of federal offSe-
holders For these appropriations. started,
will tend to constantly grow In volume. In the
campaign Of 1908 the Republican party prom
! ised q revision OF the tar1n, II continued in
power Mr. Bryan boldly affirmed that 1t
not free to do 50, in the favor of the people, on
account of it's obligations TO and affiliations with
special interests. Time has proven that the great
Nebraskan correct in his emphatic asser-
I ton. The Democratic party, now in control or
both the executive and legislative departments
of the general governments is pledged to down
ward revision Of the tariff The people Will not
stand for anything less than a sweeping reduc-
ton. and will hurl the party from power If It
does not live up to its promises in this matter.
Even with income tax 1t is generally con-
sidered that the greater part Of the revenue
must come from tariff taxes, the constitution
forbids direct taxes, except based population.
So If congress is to seek out outlets for the
expenditure of millions, it may find itself i'm
potent to carry out the party pledge and meet
the popular demand. 1t may he well for the
federal governments to lend experts roads,
schools and other things, when desired, to estab-
lsh model highways in the District of Columbia
or elsewhere If of short length but money for
this purpose should not range in the millions,
Let the general government. if IL wants to do
something for the rural sections reduce the tariff
on farming impleme nts, clothing, etc, lower the
parcel post rates and extend those rates to such
useful things as seeds and books, now exc1ud
entirely and other things that could be men
toned. and it will find it's work more highly ap-
precated than if it breaks the record for spend
ing the peoples money. our States, many OF
them imperial in size and population can best
attend 10 their domestic affairs as their
j, various interests and resources require.
CHARLES Y. WALKER.
Vernon Hill. Va,