Lanterna Rally

Author: United States. Congress. Means

Publisher: Rarebooksclub.com

Published: 2013-09

Total Pages: 88

ISBN-13: 9781230166575

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 edition. Excerpt: ...set private parties up in any kind of business, or to subsidize their business after they have entered upon it. A bounty law. of which this is the real nature, is void, whatever may be the pretense on which it may be enacted. The right t hold out pecuniary inducements to the faithful performance of public duty in dangerous or responsible positions stands upon a different footing altogether. Nor have I any occasion to question the right to pay rewards for the destruetioa of wild beasts and other public pests: a provision of this character being a mere police regulation. But the discrimination by the State between different classes of occupations, and the favoring by one at the expense of the rest, merchandising or milling, printing or railroading, is not legitimate legislation, and is an invasion of that equality of right and privilege which is a maximum in State government. When the door is once opened to it. there is no line at which we can stop and say witb confidence that thus far wo may go with safety and propriety but no further. Every honest employment is honorable; it is beneficial to the public; It deserves encouragement. The more successful we can make it the more does it generally subserve the public good. But It Is not the business of the State to make discriminations in favor of one employment against another. The State can have no favorites. Its business is to protect the industry of all and to give all the benefit of equal laws. It can not compel an unwilling minority to submit to taxation in order that it may keep upon Its feet any business that can not stand alone. Moreover, it is not a weak interest only that can give plausible reasons for public aid. When the State once more enters upon the business of subsidies, ..