Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1896 — POLITICS OF THE DAY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

POLITICS OF THE DAY

Let Republicans Consider. When Congress is asked to enter on reckless legislative methods, simply for the purpose of annoying the Democratic party and showing the alleged superiority of the Republicans, let them consider that the numerical strength of both parties at the last election was so evenly balanced in the entire nation that if one man out of every fifty had changed his opinion the big popular majority over which the Ohio major’s supporters crow so much would have been wiped out of existence. In addition, let Congressmen remember that the abuse heaped at the Democratic party in Its platform during the late campaign, and even to-day, is unadulterated misapprehension of a most reckless character. The mere fact that the declarations put forth by the Chicago convention received the indorsement of nearly one-half the voters, in the face of an exercise of the corporate wealth of the country ou the other side such as was never seen before, oijght to convince them that the vituperation was unjustifiable and that it will be advisable to treat these declarations with a great deal of serious consideration. Let them take the planks of the last Democratic platform one after another and let them try to study them as a guide and warning, for they will find nothing there that needs to be recalled and apologized for by those who framed them. There may have been mistakes of policy, but the principles are all right when rightly and reasonably Interpreted. There is a declaration against returning to the McKinley tariff which was voted down so emphatically in two successive elections, and there is also a declaration that the best way of protecting American labor is to prevent the importation of foreign pauper labor to compete with it. It will be an’evil day for the Republicans on which they Ignore the truth of these two propositions. Then the Democracy demands economy in Government expenditures. It is against the extravagance that tries to conceal itself under the eloak of patri-otism-using the noblest sentiments of the nation to hide the rapacity of monopolists and contractors. Its declaration against “government by injunction” is very much akin to the foregoing. It has been denounced as being anarchistic, but it is in truth nothing more than a protest against the public authorities acting as the eats paws of the big-corporations. These are great questions ajid entirely worthy of the most serious, most respectful treatment. If those who believe them to be the most important now at issue are treated contemptuously and reviled, those who are guilty thereof will surely meet their proper punishment.

Cutting Off Their Own Nosea. It now seems that, since the gold hups of Wall street have succeeded in seating their candidate in the presidential chair, they will endeavor to punish those States which rolled up handsome majorities for Mr. Bryan in the recent election. An idea of the sentiment existing may be imagined from the following article which appeared a few days ago in the Wall Street Dally News: It is no exaggeration to say that the States which in the last election supported Bryan, free silver, and repudiation of honest obligations, will have a hard time of it in floating new securities or negotiating loans in New York or for that matter in any part of the East. The Chicago platform and the people who supported it have given capital a shock from which it will take a long thno to recover. Repudiation, as advocated by the States giving their full vote and support to Bryan, is sufficient to deter capital from in any way becoming financially interested in them, and henceforth they had better give New York the “go by" when money is wanted. We know of no concerted movement to boycott the securities of the Bryan States, but from conversation with leading bankers and brokers we do know that a bitter feeling of antagonism prevails, and the disposition is general to have nothing to do with them. This may seem like a terrorizing threat in the eyes of Wall street, but a careful study of the census of 1890 showing the estimated wealth of the various States will convince anyone that the dog will wag the tail, and not the tail the dog, as the financial interests of Wall street think. Even the threat of such a movement would encourage the combination of all the capital west of the Alleghenies In building up all sorts of manufacturing industries now patronized in the East, and, Instead of the West being boycotted by the East, the East would be boycotted by the West. It would simply prove to be a case of cutting off their own noses to spite themselves. They fail to recognize the fact that there is a vast population growing up in the far West, and that the deciding power of the electoral college no longer remains In the Middle States. A fair example of the outcome Is to be found in the growth of the paper industry in the West. A few years ago the East sold its news and book paper as far West as the Pacific coast; now it is hard to sell it in Chicago. In a few words, Wall street may rule Wall street, but Wall street cannot and shall not dictate to the 70,000,000 people of this grand land of freedom. They may squeeze the American eagle (the gold dollar) until the last dollar has left the treasury, but they cannot fool all the American people all the time. Some Baneful Effects. It has been demonstrated that the agricultural population of the United States, hours of work considered, receive an income, acording to numbers engaged, that is less than that provided for paupers or paid for convicts. This statement seems incredible at first blush, but when we are reminded of the fact that all the members of a farmer’s family work long hours, and that they earn a bare living under pros-

ent conditions, It becomes apparent that the earning capacity of the average producer is less than 50 cents a day. And his lot Is becoming more and more onerous every day. So true ia this that the land which he formerly owned Is slipping away from him, just as It slipped away from the peasant proprietors in England, and the curse of landlordism Is already firmly fixed among us. Its blight is upon the best blood of the rural districts. In 1880 only 25.62 per cent, of the farms in this country were cultivated by tenants. Ten years later the number had risen to 34.13 per cent., and the end of the century will see more than half the tillers of the soil non-owners. Every alternate producer will be the creature of some one else’s will. But it Is not only the rural homes that falling prices and an appreciating dollar threatens. Those who joined building and loan associations ten years ago know something of the increased and Increasing difficulty of making their weekly and monthly payments. Do they realize that while their assessments are the same on their face they have, as a matter of fact, Increased greatly in value? Why? Because of the unstable money in which they pay, the exchange value of which is much greater than formerly. A very exhaustive work on this subject—“ The Money Question”—says: “A measure of general prices the stability of which cannot be calculated upon in advance by the citizens of a State Is a relic of barbarism—it is unfit for a people who plan for years in advance their expenses and their savings.” This is unquestionably true. An unstable money makes thrift unprofitable and any effort to discount the necessities of a rainy day uncertain, if not useless. It Is a good thing for the shylock, but a bad thing for everybody else. An Extra Session. The New York Mall nnd Express, which was nearer the Harrison administration than any other American paper, being, in fact, a semi-official orgnn, claims to speak by the card when it says that there will be an extra session of Congress. Major McKinley, It declares, has no hope that the short session which convenes a week from next Monday will enact legislation looking to an Increase of Federal revenues. lie will, therefore, not later than April 1, 1897, issue his proclamation for an extraordinary convocation of members elected to the Fifty-fifth National Congress. We fail to see what legislation will then be possible that is not possible between now and March 4. Or perhaps we should say we fall to see that legislation impossible during the life of the Fifty-fourth will not be impossible during the life of the Fifty-fifth Congress. The newly elected body was not chosen to restore the McKinley prohibitory tariff rates. Nearly all the Republican orators were careful to announce repeatedly that there would be no tariff tinkering under the major’s administration, should he bo elected. Therefore, needed revenue must, If good faith with the people Is kept, be raised outside the custom house. As we have no income tax, an increase of the Internal revenue receipts will be absolutely essential. The proposition to double the rate now placed on beer meets with much favor, nnd would insure a revenue, according to conservative estimates, of $35,000,000, which would perhaps be sufficient under an economical administration.

Tlila tax would not be felt by consumers, ns It would amount to nn Infinitesimal sum per glass, but It would be paid by the brewers, practically all of whom are rich beyond the dream of avarice, and most of whom are directly or Indirectly connected with a trust. Such a measure could be passed this winter, and It seems to be about the only practicable method of meeting the exigency of the hour. The Dlngley comedy of errors has already been laughed off the stage. It will not, cannot. and ns n matter of fact It should not, become a law. Let needed legislation be given the country Immediately, and then let the Country be given a needed rest.—Chicago Dispatch. Gives His Views. ‘The greatest ever submitted to the American people” Is the way In which W. J. Bryan describes the Issue on which the election turned, In his artlck in the December number of the North American Review, In which he dls cusses the result of the election ns as fecting the status of the silver ques tlon. The declaration of the Chlcagc convention In favor of the free eolnagi of silver forced upon the people of thU country a study of the money questloi In general, and within, the last foui months more people have been simultaneously engaged In its consideration than ever before in the history of the world. The result of this study, Mr, Bryan declares, to be “temporary defeat, but permanent gain for the cause of bimetallism.” “It Is a significant fact,” says Mr. Bryan, “that the sllvei sentiment was strongest where the question had been longest conslderedvlz., In the South and West. The advocates of free coinage are convinced that they are laboring In behalf of a large majority of the people, not only here, but throughout the world, and they propose to continue their contest, confident that four more years of experience will convince many who have thus far resisted arguments. Mr. Bryan counsels the successful party to remember that thousands of Republicans have been held to their party this year by the pledge that it will try to secure International bimetallism. In reference to the gold standard Democrats Mr. Bryan feels assured that they cannot do as much in 1900 as they have done this year.

“Beauty is but skin deep.” That li a skin-deep saying. Beauty Is heart deep. It Is out of the heart we desire it It is out of the heart it grows. This is not a mere saying like the other. It is the fact and secret that we are eagei to penetrate.”—Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney.