Grand Rapids Herald-Review Newspaper, October 3, 1896, Page 3

a SS The Crushing Effect of the Present Monetary System. WILLCOME TO US YET THE GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP OF RAILROADS. Shall the United States Attempt It—An Able Article in the Philadelphia American—Sums Up the from a Writer Situation, Since the adjournment of the popu- list convention, and the adoption by that convention of a plank favoring the government ownership of railroads, there has appeared in the monopolistic press much unreasonable comment on this score. We have seen those who believe that the government should Own and operate our railroad systems in the interest of the whole people, called demagogues and robbers. We have even seen those who advocate this socialistic step, believing that in no other way can unjust discrimination between persons and places in the mat- ter of transportation rates be prevent- ed, held up to scorn as anarchists. Those who so loudly, but withal so ignorantly, deprecate the government ownership of railroads, would do well to fix their attention for a few minutes on the report of the committee of gov- ernment ownership, control and regu- lation of railways, made to the national convention of railroad commissioners, held at the office of the interstate com- merce commission at Washington on May 19 and 20 last. On this committee, which was appointed by authority of the convention held the year previous- ly, served Hon. A. K. Teisberg, of Min- nesota, Isaac B. Brown, of Pennsyl- vania, S. O. Wilson, of North Carolina, J. C. Allen, of Nebraska, and Olin Mer- rill, of Vermont. Two reports were sub- mitted to the convention, a minority report by Mr. Wilson of North Caro- lina taking decided grounds in favor of government ownership, and the re- port of the majority, which was some- what tenta the members of the majority recognizing the evils of over- capitalization and arbitrary discrimin- ations in the matter of rates, recogniz- ~ ing government ownership not only as a feasible, but perhaps the only possible remedy, and yet hesitating to advocate such ownership. But the fact that the majority of the committee were evidently prejudiced against government ownership gives their report even more weight than it would otherwise carry. Listen, in part, what they had to say: “That the government has the right to acquire the railroads of this country by purchase, at a fair valuation, no one will dispute. “It is only a question of expediency and policy. In a republican form of government such as ours, it is not ex- pedient nor good policy to invade or appropriate fields of industry for the simple gain there might be in it. “Our government has assumed con- trol over the waterways of the coun- try for the benefit of all the people; large sums of public money are annu- ally expended to maintain the useful- ness of such waterways, in the inter- est of commerce, but the government does not build vessels to enter into competition with its citizens in the carrying trade. If railroads could be used in the same manner as are the waterways, there could be no question, perhaps, that the government would have exercised the same control over them as it has over waterways; but from the nature of railroad business this is not practicable. Hence, if the government should assume the owner- ship of the railroads, it would neces- sarily also have to own and operate the equipment; in other words, do the whole railroad business. “While it may be true that some of our people desire government owner- ship of railroads for the money they pelieve there is in it, doubtless other and better reasons influence the majority who are in favor of this echeme. A.*# “One of these better reasons is aptly expressed in the last annual report of one of the members of this committee —Mr. Brown of Pennsylvania—as fol- lows:—‘Our people have little to com- plain of from the common carriers, ex- cept on the question of discriminations on this subject, if they would be true to the interests of those they serve. Government ownership of railroads is a most questionable scheme, in a repub- lic at least, and yet if discriminations are to continue, if favoritism of such a character as to enrich some and ruin others is to be practiced, the tran- sition period of railways to government control is not so remote as some im- agine.’ “In the opinion of this committee, the sentiment in favor of government ownership of railroads is due, not only to the practices of discriminations be- tween persons and places, but also to the over-capitalization of railroads, and the delay under our present system of adjudicating controversies between the railroads and their patrons, “Among the objections to govern- ment ownership of railroads are the cost of them to the government, and the consequent increase of the public debt, and also that it would create a vast field of political patronage, and consequent corruption. “As to the first objection, the cost of the railroads, we believe this gov- ernment is amply able to assume that burden. This government could bor- row money cheaper than private indi- viduals or corporations; but very lit- tle money would, perhaps, be needed; the present owners would doubtless be glad to exchange their stocks and bonds for those of the United States, whereby they would be assured of a fixed in- come. We fail to see in what respect the public would be saddled with any additional burden; the people of this country are expected to and are will- ing now to pay rates that will give a fair income on the cost of the railroads, and that is all they would have to do under government ownership. “As to the question of political pat- ronage and corruption, we believe that the matter could be guarded by proper civil service rules and safe- guards whereby this evil could be ob- viated; in fact, it is generally believed that under even the present system, the railroads take quite a hand in politics and political patronage. “We believe under government own- ership labor troubles on the railroads would be less frequent, if not cease entirely, to the great advantage of the employees, the railroads and the pub- lic.” Lofty Argument. A perusal of the calm and dispas- sionate gold bug papers reveals the fact that they have described the silver men at various times as follows: Bunco steerers. Anarchists. Fools. Communists. Rogues, Socialists. Cranks. Populists. Dervishes. Repudiationists. Thieves. Fagins. Jacobins. Pirates. Demagogues. Adventurers, Loafers. Humbugs. Hobos. Frauds. There are only a few epithets left and these will soon be gone. It may be that the Eastern press regards this sort of thing as argument, but we fecl some curiosity to know whom it ex- pects to convert by it. After calling a man all the choice names in an exu- berant vocabulary, how can you say to him, “Now let us sit down and rea- son together?” If the Eastern press has any legit- imate arguments to address to the rea- soning faculties of the people, it had better bring them out of the mental locker. .Abuse is only a cover for de- ficiency of minds. Epithets only serve to reveal a lack of argument. Here is a great economic issue to be debated before the people, an issue not neces- sarily. involving passion, which ought to be susceptible of calm and imper- sonal argumentation; yet the “sound money” people of the East are bring- ing to its elucidation the serenity of the fish wife and -the eloquence of Dennis Kearney.”—Memphis Commer- cial-Appeal. “And to this string of critho+s may be added: Idiots. Fanatics. Soreheads. Which, like tender morsels, ha¥e delighted more than one Southern gold bug editor in the virulent abuse of the “silver cranks.” To be villified by the Eastern press, which has lit- tle sympathy for the South, and is limited to dollars and cents, is not strange, but the Southern “silver cranks,” “idiots,” and “fanatics,” have expected better at the hands of pub- lishers and editors of newspaners claiming recognition from the people upon whom they rely, somewhat, for support, but while we disapprove abuse, we would not, if we could, raise a finger to suggest a change in the tone of any Southern newspaper whose editor can villify his friends and neigh- bors because they do not conform to his views and opinions on political and other questions. Let the abuse pro- ceed and become aggravated, since it gives strength to the “silver craze” and assures the success of “the idiots” and “the fanatics.” CAN’T DENY IT. Constitution Says that the Government ° Aloue May Issue Money. Minneapolis Argus: In compliance with the request of a number of our readers we publish in serial form ex- tracts from the constitution of the United States and undisputed author- ities on this question, to be followed, as space permits, by the coinage laws. The following is a true copy of the constitution of the United States giv- ing congress the power to coin money: Article 1, section 8, says: ‘The con- gress shall have power “To lay and collect taxes, duties, im- posts, and excises; to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts, and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; “To borrow money on the credit of the United States. “To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes; “To establish an uniform rule of nat- uralization, and uniform laws on the subject of bankruptcies throughout the United States; “TO COIN MONEY, REGULATE THE VALUE THEREOF, AND OF FOREIGN COIN, and fix the standard of weights and measures; “To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and cur- rent coin of the United States. “To make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitu- tion in the government of the United States or any department or office thereof.” In addition to the constitution we quote authorities no one will attempt to gainsay, as follows: Tiffany on Constitutional Law, chap- ter 12, section 400, page 221, says: “There is legally no such a thing as gold or silver money or paper money. Money is the sovereign authority im- pressed on that which is capable of taking and retaining the impression. That upon which the stamp is placed is called coin. The coin may be metal, parchment, or paper; the value is in the stamp and not in the metal or ma- terial.” Judge Martin says in his work, “The Money of Nations Historically and Le- gally Considered”: “Money is made by law and law only. That law often de- monetizes that which has been made money regardless of the material out of which it is coined.” Sir James Stewart says: “It is a scale of equal parts invented to meas- ure the respective value of things vendable.” Attorney General Acherman says: “It is not a substance, but the impress of authority, a printed legal decree.” Kellogg says: “It is a legal exist- ence, made a national representative of property.” Postal Savings Banks. Nothing but the selfishness of the banking interests of this country has prevented the adoption of the postal savings bank system in connection with the postoffice department. The Canadian government has main- tained postal savings banks ever since 1866. A year or so ago Canada’s 5,000,- 000 of people had $25,000,000 of depos- its in those banks. Six years ago the deposits of the peo- ple in England’s postal savings banks amounted to more than $325,000,000. We have no later figures at hand. The peopie’s party is the only organ- ization which has indorsed this plan in national convention. Postmaster Gen- eral Wanamaker urged its adoption during his stay in the cabinet, but the banking influence was too strong for him. Nevertheless, the financial welfare of the plain, common people, the working men and working women, demands that they be given an absoluteiy safe place of deposit for their surplus earn- ines.—Nevada Director. - FOR FREE COINAGE, HOW IT WILL BENEFIT WORKING MAN. THE Labor Not Receiving One Half as Much in the United States Today as It Would Under free Coinage—Single Standard Means Serfdom. If prices of commodities are cheap they cannot be produced with dear la- bor. But it is said that wages in some of the manufacturing and railroad in- dustries of the country are as high to-day as ever. This is not true. But suppose it were true; it would not answer the question. The trades unions have been remarkably succes- | ful in resisting reduction of wages, but they have utterly failed in keeping the people employed. There are at least three millions of willing hands which are now idle in the United States. | Those who have employment are either H working on short hours or short days in the week, so that the aggregate paid in the manufacturing and railroad in- dustries to labor is certainly less than one-half the amount that would be paid to labor if prices were firm, so that enterprise could prosper. If falling prices continue it is only a question of time when wages of labor must come down to correspond with other things. This is not all. One-half at least of the labor in the United States is ex- pended on farms, which has paid the farmers nothing in the last twenty- three years. Their farms are not worth 50 cents on the dollar what they were when silver was demonetized, and they are still declining. Farm products have so declined that they are on an | average below the cost of production. The people have borrowed money to pay taxes and other necessary ex- penses until the farms are mortgaged and tenant farmers are increasing in a geometrical ratio, and it is only a question of a short time if prices con- tinue to fall when independent farm- ers must disappear, and the peasant system of Europe must be established here. We assert without fear of contra- diction that labor is not receiving one- half as much in the United States to- day as it would under free coinage. We admit that an individual who has a job that will last him for life, of which he cannot be deprived by his} employer or by the bankruptcy of the! concern for which he works, can buy, more with his dollar than he could if silver Was remonetized and prices should regain their normal condition. But if he is a humane man, and con- tributes his money to the suffering peo- ple about him, he will find that what he receives will do him and his family less good than it would if the country was prosperous and the great mass of labor was employed. We know that { the goldites appeal to laboring men who have a job and tell them they can buy more with their money than they could if prices were restored and the community generally were allowed to prosper, but they do not call attention to the millions out of employment and the growing army of tramps or the bankrupt farmers, who are being driven from their homes. In short, they fail to call attention to the fact that | civilization is decaying on account of the increasing purchasing power of money. They do not suggest to the laborers that the fate which has be- fallen others will certainly overtake them, that want of employment will drive them into the ranks of the tramps or the unemployed. They do not ap- peal to labor in good faith. They at- tempt to appeal to the prejudices of the laboring men for the benefit of one hundred and fifty thousand millions of obligations which they hold against labor. In other words, they appeal to the laboring men to vote to increase the value of money, decrease the value of property and labor, and enslave man- kind. Contraction wllich produces fall- ing prices if continved ‘will bring the same result italways has. Serfdom and slavery is the inevitable fate of the American people if they do not join the forces of reform and rebel against goldocracy.—Silver Knight. Referendum in England. Did you ever think that England nas a sort of a referendum? When the government fails to command a majority of the house of commons the prime minister and cabinet re- sign, parliament is dissolved, and the question or questions at issue are re- ferred to the people in the new elec- tions. As a consequence, England is making more progress toward govern- men by the people, and justice toward the masses than we are. They already have government telegraph, govern- ment savings banks, etc., and we, too, would have them without further delay if we had any way to get the expression of the voters on these questions. Why can’t we have a way? We have had many “boodle” con- gresses, “boodle” legislatures and | “poodle” city councils that should | have been dissolved. But no; we elect a man for a certain term, and all the legal powers in the country can’t get him out until his term expires. Here is where the imperative man- date comes in. It gives the people the power to recall any public officer at any. time in the following way: Any con- | stituent may, at any time, draw up a document demanding the removal of said officer. When this document is signed by a majority’ of voters in the territory which elected such officer his | office shall be decfared vacant. It can | be filled again by :ppointment or by a new election. Shall we have it?—Dr. | C. F. Taylor, in Thw Medical World. Giving the people relief by piling on more taxes is like piecing a dog’s tail | to make it shorter. * as a local agent. A Household Necessity, Cascarets Caady Cathartie, the most wonder. ful medical discovery of the age; pleasant and refreshing to the taste; acts gently and posi- tively on kidneys, liver and bowels, cleansing the entire system, dispels colds, cures head- ache, fever, habitual constipation and_bilious- ness. Please buy and try a box of C. C. C. to-day; 10, 25, 50 cents. Sold and guaranteed to cure by all druggists. A Bad Attack. “How did old Hopley receive your proposition for iis daughter’s hand?” “Well, I’m no doctor, but he had something, and had it bad. What- ever kept him from flying into a show- er of infinitesimal pieces, or how I ever got over that back fence alive, will always be among the deepest mys- teries of my experience.”—Detroit Free Press. Agents Wanted. The Home Life Insurance company of New York issues the most attractive pell- cles of any old line company. The cash value and loaning privileges each year are plainly guaranteed in the policy. An ener- getic, live man, well acquainted, is desired Special territory and liberal contract will be given. References required. Address or call on Fred F. Loomis, general manager, 306-9 Pioneer Press building, St. Paul. Wanted to Be Helpful. Banker (to new cashier)—Look here, if you are ever seized with the desire to ‘yun off with the cash, let me know; I'll , go with you.—Answers. —__ At the taking of the last census 11,676 gentlemen and 10,810 ladies were teaching the young idea how to shoot in the direc- tion of high art. Ss THAT COUNT. Many so-called remedies are § « on the public attention on account of their claimed large sales. But sales cannot determine values. Salessimply argue good salesmen, shrewd puffery, or enormous advertis- ing. It’s cures that count. It is cures that are counted on by Ayer’s Sarsaparilla. Its sales might be boasted. It has the world for its market. But sales prove nothing. We point only to the record of Ayer’s Sarsaparilla, as proof of its merit: 50 YEARS OF CURES. J Will Attend to It. “This liver is awful, Maud,” said Mr. Newwed. “Tm very sorry,” returned the bride, ‘T'll tell the cook to speak to the li ery man about it.”—Tit-Bits. Woman's Influence. “Mrs. Beverly has returned home.” “Have you seen her?” “No; but I see Mr. Beverly doesn’t bring the parlor chairs out on the porch any mor —Buffalo News. BUFFALO BILL. A NOTED MAN’S OPINION ON A SUB- JECT OF VITAL IMPORTANCE. He speaks from experience. His life, his knowledge of the Indians and his unimpeachable integrity lend weight to his statements. HON. WM. F. COD¥. {f there is a man in America to-day, whose pinion of that which has to do with the In- dians and ,their habits 1s of value, it is that of the Hon. Wm. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill). The years of his life spent with them asa government scout and his later life of success, combiried with the respect and admiration felt for him by the entire world, make his words an unquestionable authority, on any thing to do with this subject. : When such a man as this, in times of sick- ness resorts to medicines and obtains relief by their use, that are of nature’s own brew- ing, made by nature’s own children—the Indian — from her all powerful roots, barks and herbs, as they themselves gather them, it would seem that the example he thus gives to the world should be followed and prof- ited by. Note what ie says in his own words con- cerning the wonderful results to be obtained by the famous Kickapoo Indian Sagwa:— “T have known of its virtue for a long time, and on the frontier this and the other Kickapoo Indian remedies are considered in- dispensible. I had occasion to use Kickapoo Indian Sagwa for malaria and chills with the best cf results, it is far superior to quinine. I have also used Sagwa and Kickapoo Indian Oil for rheumatism and was speedily cured. You may use my name and say that for what they claim todo the Kickapoo Indian Remedies have no equal.” Sufferers from these troubles, or in fact from any saapega ment caused by a disordered condition of th kidneys, liver, stomach or bloed, follow this illustrious man’s example, get well by a sure method. Where a cure is possible, a cure is certain and that too without danger, as these medicines contain no mineral or other poisonous ingredients. All druggists sell them. Kickapoo Indian Sagwa $1 a bottle, 6 bottles for $5. Kickapoo Indian Oil, 25c., Salve, 25c., Worm Killer, 26c., Cough Cure, 50c., Pills, 25c. Prof. Babcoc the well-known Chemist, y Says? — oT argc heigsi Baker & Co.’s Peking Come is bsolut . It contains no trace of any substance na tol the pure roasted cocoa-bean., ‘The color is that of pure cocoa; the the luced from the of any chemical, stance, which are to flavor isnatural, ant not anes ee luct isin icular such as must have been dip gre hea without the addition , acid, or artificial flavoring sub- be detected in cocoas prepared by the so-called ‘Dutch process.’” Walter Baker & Co., Ltd., Dorchester, Mass. VERY FARMER IN THE NORTH CAN MAKE MORE MONEY IN THE MIDDLE SOUTH. ‘He can make twice as much. He can sell his Northern farm and get twice as many acres for his money down here. We sell improved them. No droughts. week. If you are interested write for pleasure to us to answer them. d farms for $8 to S20 Neither too hot nor too cold—climate just right. Northern “pamphlets ‘and an acre. Plenty of railroads—four of farmers are coming every ask all the questions you want to. It isa SOUTHEEN HOMESEEKERS’ LAND COMPANY. Somerville, Tenn. ‘SHADE and give three plans of work.” Par WEREL an ey parse half the battle. Write for terms at once. NURSERY C0., Like City, Minn. we a a rma —)