The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1924-03-11
The Misuse of Government.
From the Kansas City Star.


The big concern of the American people
TODAY Is the misuse Of government, That in
-fitution designed to serve the common IN
terests Of all the people, has been diverted to
purposes OF directly opposite character
The American government as planned and
as if ORIGINALLY operated was simple in its
nature and functions; today 1t IS so huge and
complex and its powers are so numerous ana
extensive that no American can say where
the business OF government ends ana that
OF a private citizen begins
This growth OF government-the growth OF
its powers. of its revenue, OF its personnel
has given rise to the greatest class OF evils
that has afflicted the nation. These involve
the use OF government for the private and
profitable ends Of individuals and groups of
citizcus as opposed to the common interests
of all the citizens.
When such favor-seeking groups can so in
aucncc government as to enact laws IN their
own interests or in any other way to direct
the powers OF government in their own be-
hclf those groups have become the real gov
eminent OF the country
This is the danger to the government OF
America today. Private interests have become
so powerful, so bold, SO cynical in their use
O; government through politics and politi-
clans that this great institution, supposedly
and in theory public in character, threatens
to itself become pr waite enterprise directed
to private ends.
What was the government Of this country
when Mr.. Doheny was able to carry away
from Washington bit of paper he asserted
was worth $100000000 to him and his asso-
ciates? Was it the public administration
pledged to hold the public domain for the
people of America or was it Mr. Doheny to
whom this bit of paper conveyed that public
domain?
Which was the more powerful, the peoples
government or the oil interests?
Mr. Doheny has testified that he employ
ed four or five ex-members of cabinets. He
paid them large salaries and fees. He had of
course, right to employ them as attorneys
or in any capacity, but why did he employ
them rather than others? Was it because of
their conspicuous ability? e his transactions
had been with any other Institution than the
government would he have employed these
same men?
Here we have exhibited the premium, so
to speak that goes with public service. When
citizen, through the operation of politics,
attains to high government position, he in
stantly attracts the favorable notice of those
powerful private interests that want to do
business with the government. When that
public servant retres to private life those
| interests very glad to employ him and
usually at a salary he could not have COM
manded before he became a public servant.
Why
When doing business with the government
IS so profitable to private interests that they
can afford to hire, at top prices such great
abilities as seem to distinguish all ex-public
officials, then the nature OF that business be-
comes a public concern. Then it ought to be
inquired whether these transactions are, in
deed, a proper function OF government or
whether they are an abuse OF its powers.
If it shall be shown the government has
not exhibited the same ability, power and zeal
in taking them away what must be the con
clusion except that government is not in the
hands OF the people, but of those who are
directing it for their own selfish ends?