The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1920-12-24
A Rise in Pessimism.

had the ideals of pure democracy
without the absurdities of socialism
or the poison of paternalism.
But for a number of years WI
have been mulling over some simple
propositions. the same character in
principle that we'll organized bust
ness institutions have employed. and
wondering if they could not be ap-
piled to government successfully.
The suggestions made that the
Presidents cabinet be enlarged and
that the membership of the Lower
House of Congress be increased from
435 to 4S3, now entertained by Mr.
Harding, starts the same old protest
to disturb the ordinary mind en-
deavoring to find where will all this
end-in-itself government find logi-
cal conclusion.
Really the people do not need any
sympathy. They are natural born
gamblers. Most all of us want to
get something for nothing, and feel
like Growing if we can beat our
neighbor in trade. We are always
going to our representatives for pri-
vate legislation. We want new
post office, levee improvements, or a
cannon to ornament the public
square. We yell for public benefac-
tions and we storm against taxation.
How in the name of Sam Hill can we
have one without the other? And
these stock and grain exchanges
also cotton. A sucker is born every
minute to pike away his money in
futures. Thousands of people do
this and yet they denounce these ex-
changes. These institutions were
created for a legitimate purpose. but
ninety per cent of the trading is the
same in effect az gambling. The brok-
ers are not alone responsible. The
people rush in with their money to
take a chance. They don't deserve
any sympathy, but that should not
deter lawmakers from doing their
duty. This gambling in futures
should be suppressed if it takes force
to do it.
1t occurs to us that expenses of
should take tumble
first in-the size of Congress. Instead
of an increase in membership there
should be "a reduction to basis of
one Congressman for every five hun
dred thousand persons. If the in
crease continues with all the trim
mlngs that go with it, soon new
capitol building will be suggested at
tho cost of small war debt.
IT he Congressman or Senator
should have stated salary. The
clerks should have their salaries en-
tirely independent of the members of
Congress, and the matter of railroad
and private franking should
be abolished altogether. Hundreds
of useless committees and thousands
Of useless employees should be discon-
t.nued.
Again, the enlargement of the cab
met is false idea of advancing eth
or republicanisra or democracy. And
the folly of creating woman's de-
pGrtment! Might as well propose a
mans department. Why should we
nave one without the other? Why
should we have either.
We say, reduce tho cabinet. The
,abinet, as the New York Herald |
,ays, is merely the creature of Con-
yress. T..ere = nc mention or pro-
yisicn in the Federal constitution
or a cabinet officer. They can be
made or unnade by majority vote
n Congress. A cabinet of five or
icven members would be ample for
very purpose under the sun.
Cut down the courts, commissions,
md make every appointment a man
ize job.
REFUGE the operations of Congress
to public legislation. Cut
private bills to a minimum and abol-
sh private pension d7ys altogetherc
sh private pension days entirely.
Let the Pension Bureau look after le-
Ultimate pensions and let the crook
70 to Halifax.
Let the Government retire from
'rivate business. Transfer the War
risk Insurance to Old Line Compan-
es.
Reduce the war and naval program
o sensible basis. Drop the promo
ion schemes to swallow UP the peo-
lie with naval and military measures
nd appropriations. The lesson that
iermany was armed to the teeth and I
ell seems to have no weight with
Make internal improve !
lents national and not local affair {
nd drive promoters out of the Cap ]
ri