People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1896 — Page 4

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The People’s Pilot. BY F. D. CRAIG. (Lessee.) wurr PUBLISHING CO, (Limited,) Proprietors! Qatid H. Yeoman, President. \Ym. Washburn. Vice President. Lee E. Glazebrook, Sec'y. J. A. McFarland 'Areas Thb People’s Pilot :a the official organ <>f •he Jasper and Newton County Alliances.and .• published every Thursday at ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM. Cntered as second class matter at the post office in Rensselaer. Ind.

Rumor has it that the name of Judge Wiley will be placed be fore the republican state convention for the nomination of appellate judge.

Under McKinley protection New York Citv alone paid out. in the winter of 93-94 for shovling snow. $39,789, and this winter, under democratic free trade, only SSOO have been expended in this industry. It will be mighty hard work next November to convince sngw-shovelers that protection don’t protect.

Where the Fight Centers.

The following is an extract from a personal letter written to the editor of The People’s Pilot by Charles C. Post, the great economic writer and speaker, once secretary of the Indiana State Grange, and author of Driven Prom Sea .to Sea and other books. Mr. Post is now located at Seabreeze. Florida, and though not actively engaged in the reform movement, is fully alive to the impending political struggle and his words cannot fail to be of interest to those who are striving to inaugurate a better order of tilings. It was from the lips of Mr. Post that the writer received the basic truth of social ethics, and grasped the full meaning of the brotherhood of man. The following are his words:

“The outlook to me is not flattering. Everywhere the people are becoming more and more servile as they And themselves more and more at the mercy of the money cormorants, or if not this, then the election laws arc being so shaped as to defraud them of their votes if not cast to suit their masters. Then too our own forces are beginning to divide somewhat. It may amount to little or it may amount to much. The only course open to us is that of the “Middle of the Road - ’ as always heretofore. I do not think we would gain any thing by changing a single plank of the Omaha platform or by adding to it Ido not think the Initiative and Referendum would be a wise addition to the platform in any fuller sense than it is now a part of the platform, i. e.. as something to consider. I even doubt its practical workings if enacted at any time before the people have broken the shackles of party, and learned to think and act independently to a much greater degree than now. In some modified form or limited to certain matters, as an issue of government bonds or notes, or a change in the coinage laws, it might work and finally become of general application, but I have fears that incorporating it in the platform would weaken us. It does not look practical to those who have not yet learned to think without permission of their party leaders, and my observation and experience leads me to fear it.

“I am honestly of the opinion that the Sub-Treasury Plan, if thoroughly and intelligently discussed before the people by all our speakers and writers, would gain us votes faster than any thing else, and I consider i, sound and statesmanlike in its provisions. It is equitable in iis workings, or could be made so, meets- the wants perfectly of the people, relieves alike the business man and the producer from the grip of the morey shark, and puts the currency by which exchanges are made at the point where the exchanges are wanted to be made.

“I imagine however tbatit will not appear in the uext platform. Our leaders have appeared to fear it and never have fairly presented it to the people, except in a few states, but where it has been done it has rallied voters faster than any other issue has been able to do. “Leaving it out of the discussion as not probable to be inserted in the platform, or even have much strength before convention. I think it only of special importance that we retain to the fullest our positions upon the monetary and transportation questions, not forgetting the laud, which however should not be made too prominent, not more so than it now is. The fight is on the money question first and foremost, and always will be until

it is settled and there should be uo dodging, no compromise, no acceptance of anything less than a full and clear and forceable demand for a full legal tender paper money issued directly to the people without the intervention of the banks. When this is done there naturally arises the question of how issued directly to the people? in what waythrough what means? “Whether the question shall be answered by the convention by a declaration in favor of the SubTreasury Plan, a modification of Coxies Good Roads Bill, or some similar definite plan, or left as in former plat forms for open discussion to be finally settled by congress when the party comes in power, is not probably of vital conseqfieme. though I still hold to the opinion that a definite plan, and that the Sub-Treasury Plan, is best and will strengthen the party.”

The last legislature, which was overwhelmingly republican, passed an unconstitutional apportionment bill over the protests of ex President Harrison, Smiley C. Chambers and many other leading republicans. This unconstitutional law was last week set aside by the unanimous decision of the supreme court. Now the Monticello Herald, our own Journal and a few other republican publications arc advocating the calling of a special session of that same legislature for the purpose of passing another apportionment bill. This state might withstand the introduction of distemper, murrain, gangrene plague and pestilence, yea. even vermin, but another session of that legislature never. Carrol Co. Citizen .

We’ve got ’em —statesmen (?). Education will rapidly follow organ- ( ization The people may be goaded to repu- ' illation. Capital, or property, is only crystallized labor. Where is Bland? He’s not at the “forks of the road." If you have “that tired feeling” take a little more of the gold cure. Every family ought to have a bond, but the majority have bondage. Bonds mean bondage, but Grover says we can buy prosperity with them. The platform “trimmer” is as bad as the platform “loader.” Watch them both. The popular sentiment was too strong against the bond- syndicate and it dissolved. It makes us tired to hear a man talk free silver while he remains in a goldbug party. All the gold in the world would not pay the interest on the world’s debts for one year. John Sherman and Grover Cleveland are two of the most despised men in the nation. If there are any democratic candidates for president, they haven’t come out of the woods yet. If you think this country is run by money, why don’t you have the manhood to protest against it? Keep it before the people that a majority of congressmen of both old parties voted to demonetize silver. The meeting of the National Democratic committee at Washington was more like a funeral than anything else. Oh, yes, the bankers know all about the money business! They now have the money and the people the experience. The gold wing of the Democratic party won the first fight by dictating the place for holding the National convention. Cursing Grover Cleveland won’t save the democracy or win a victory for the Populists. What we need is work and organization. C(hrist said. “Feed my lambs,” but the plutocrats are fleecing them and the church doesn’t seem to be doing much to prevent it. Let the free silver party organize; when we can see the size and color of the hoss it is plenty of time to talk about swapping. The delegates to the next People’s party National convention will make the platform; therefore look to choosing the delegates. It is costing a good deal to make our money “good in Europe," but then when we undertake to act the fool why not do it on h grand scale? Not one official out of a hundred who assists in robbing the people is punished for it, and all because we want harmony in the party, you know. Notwithstanding the daily assertions of the plutocratic papers that the silver agitation is dead, it is today about the, liveliest question in American politics

THE PEOPLE S PILOT, RENSSELAER, IND., THURSDAY FEB. 13. 1896.

Ac honest man votes for principle. The conflict is between manhood and I money. Capital is forcing the irrepressible j conflict. - Does Billy Bryan belong to a gold bug party? The “popular loan” will be taken by unpopular people. Get into line in every state and work for victory this year. j Where is prosperity? She was billed to reach here before this. Our great American statesmen (?) have got things in a nice shape. —* “The war scare has subsided,” says an exchange. Who was scared? “I was invited to Washington for a conference”—J. Pierpont Morgan. Down, with the salaries in proportion to the fall in prices of farm products. Most of the speeches now being made in Congress are for campaign purposes only. The bankers are the only set of men who ever questioned the credit of the government. The bankers don’t want the government to loan money to any of the people, but themselves. Yes, we will meet the traitors at Phillipi in November, just as Governor Waite said we would. Nothing but gold and gold certificates will buy the new bonds, and the bankers have about all of them. No party on earth can steal the populist party. It will absorb the best of all parties before November. Philadelphia is moving to own her own street railways. The logic of events is solving the problem of human rights. - The most important meeting of the year will be that of the National Reform Press Association at Dallas, Feb. 22 Keep your eyes on the man who wants office. He'll do to watch. If he advocates trimming the platform bounce him. As no one will father the tariff bill sent from the house to the senate there is a growing suspicion that it is a bastard measure. Texas polls more Populist votes than any other state in the Union,. j|nd they didn't win them by fusion or platform trimming, either. All the people on earth combined, except one man, have no right to dispossess that one man of any of his natural opportunities. All the Spanish and Cuban generals were killed again this week. The Spanish have the Cubans on the run—the Spanish soldiers in the lead. Senator “'eller, having decided that there is no hope for free silver in either of the old parties, ought now to attach himself to a party that is in favor of free silver The free silver inside-the-party Democrats and Republicans evidently think the best way to get free silver is to vote against it, and with a party that is opposed to it. Senator Allen introduced a bill in the senate making it a misdemeanor for a lobbyist to enter the capitol building. As this would cut off the revenues of some of our Solons of course it will not pass. : Now that the national committee has met, it is time for all Populists to go to work. The making of the platform will take place at the convention, and it will be made by delegates elected by the people. There are some men who would rather vote to uphold a system that is impoverishing themselves than to leave theii party. There is no heroism about this; it is abject servility of the first magnitude. There is a law that punishes the train wrecker, but the railroad wrecker escapes. There is also a law that punishes the man that robs the bank, but the bank can rob the people and it is called business. ' I The Populists will nominate the only free silver man that will be in the presidential race this year. Every free silver man will be perfectly free to vote for him, and if every free silver man does vote for him he will be elected. National bankers collect interest on their debts, and Cleveland recommends that more banks be established, and the privileges of the ones we now have be enlarged. That’s the kind of a democrat the democratic party has nominated three times and elected twice.' And now they want another chance. Excuse us, please. Say, by the way, how can the United States of America settle this Venezuelan dispute without the consent of England and other European nations? If we do get 4nto a war with England we ought to consult her as to what kind of weapons we would be allowed to use. It wouldn’t do to have a weapon that wasn’t “good In Yurruo.”

TO BOND SUBSCRIBERS

LETTER OF MORGAN A CO. DISSOLVING THE SYNDICATE. Explanation of Why ThU Action la Taken —Commaniratlcn to Cleveland Sngrseatiag the New Loan —Received with Snrprlfe at Washington. New York, Jan. 15. —Members of the government bond syndicate received in their mail this morning a circular letter from J. P. Morgan & Co., releasing them from their commitments to furnish their pro rata of $100,000,000 in gold and a second $100,000,000 if desirable, taking their payment therefor in a 4 per cent government bond. Accompanying this letter was a circular explaining why the syndicate was formed, what action was taken on its behalf and why it was now dissolved. “On the 23d of December,” Mr. Morgan says, “I was invited to Washington for a conference. During my visit there no negotiations ter a loan were even suggested, nor was there then nor since any agreement or request that I should take any steps preparatory to making a contract. I came, however, to the conclusion that the president and secretary of the treasury would use every power at their command to restore and maintain the gold reserve; that no steps would be taken until it was ascertained what Congress would do; that* the executive department would prefer to secure $200,000,000 of gold and that it was certain no relief could be obtained from Congress. “Upon my return, -rppreciating the gravity of the situation, and in order that I might be nrepared to act promptly, I took steps to ascertain to what extent it. would be possible to secure the co-operation of capitalists in forming a syndicate' which would agree to sell to the United States government $200,000,000 of gold coin. The contract prepared and signed by the participants did not stipulate whether the purchase would be by private or by public offer. The only provision, in addition to the important one that, no gold should b« withdrawn from the treasury, was that the minimum amount of the contract should be $100,000,000, the maximum not over $200,000,000. The applications far exceeded my expectations. At the end of three or four days the total $200,000,000 was reached, and I had full authority which would enable me, whenever and however the executive might decide to act, to secure that amount of gold for the treasury reserve in exchange for United States bond*. “The participants may be divided into four classes—people in Europe who were prepared to ship gold to this side; institutions in the United States in possession of gold coin who wanted bonds either for investment or as a basis of national circulation; third, banks in various cities who were willing to exchange their gold for bonds, expecting afterwards to sell them in th*> markets; fourth, institutions add firms not having gold, but which would get it at whatever cos*, provided the contract was put in force. Participants werfl about evenly divided between the foot classes.

“Having completed the syndicate, l entered into negotiations in Europe and in places other than London, where the market was closed to us, and through the Deutsche Bank and Messrs. Morgan, Harjes & Co., negotiations went practically concluded in Germany France and Holland which would have resulted in a large amount of bonds being placed in those countries. “On Jan. 4, realizing that the tension was growing daily and had became serious, I addressed a letter to the president, calling his attention to the situation and representing that the most important step was the restoration of the government credit by replenishing the stock of gold. Details of what was proposed were given, and assurances offered that the utmost efforts would be made to procure for the treasury 11,500,000 ounces of gold." The reason given for the dissolution of the syndicate is that the syndicate contract called for a bid u£ “all or none,” and therefore Mr. Morgan was unwilling to make a bid in dor the ©resent "’rcumstancf'might seem to present for consideration by the secretary of the treasury the throwing out or smaller bids made in good faith under the public oall. The only emergency, in Mr. Morgan’s judgment, which would justify such a course, would be the failure of the public to respond to the call of the government.

It has been necessary to delay the dissolving of the syndicate up to the present time, as every financial interest required protection offered by the knowledge that syndicate was in existence, prepared to make the loan a success under any circumstances. The circular concludes: “I feel perfectly satisfied that there is no question as to the success of the loan.” MORGAN'S LETTFR TO CLEVELAND. The following is the text of Mr. Morgan’s letter to President Cleveland: “New York. 219 Madison avenue, Jan. 4, 1896. -To the President, Washington. D. C.: Sir—lt is with great hesitation that I venture to addreas you in relation f c 'he present financial situation: As <">u are doubtless financial affairs are approaching a serious erisis, and the tension today ie extreme; and while no outward evidences have developed, we are likely at any moment to reach the point and consequences which it will then be too late to remedy. The gravity of the situation must be my excuse, rr ’h" most importaut step at this moment is the restoration of government ;radit by replacing the gold reserve in the tr: ’eury beyond questioy. This onc° accomplished, confidence both at home and abroad in the stability of our currency will be restored

“After my recent visit to Washington I became convinced that any legislative action to improve the methods at the disposal of the executive was unlikely—in fact, impossible. I therefore took steps to ascertain whether it would be possible to obtain the co-operation of parties at home and abroad to an extent that would enable me to negotiate a contract with the government for the sale of 11,500,000 ounces of gold, approximating $200,000,000, on about thg has' - of the contract of Feb. 8,1895. In this effort I have been successful, and am now in a position to make such contract for the full amount. Ido not hesitate to affirm—in fact, urge—that such a contract would in every way be for the best interests of the government and the people, and would be followed by less derangement of the money market, of trade—in fact, of all interests, including foreign exchanges, all of which, until recently, were in such an increasingly prosperous condition—and I urge your serious consideration of such a contract.

“At the same time, I recognize the effect of legislation which has been proposed and the discussions thereupon in both houses of Congress, all of which might lead you to hesitate to make a private contract, and, consequently, in view of the gravity of the situation, I feel bound to say that if, after a conference, in which I can more fully lay the matter before you, and without expressing any confidence in such a mode of procedure, in face of previous failures of similar attempts, hut recognizing, as I do, that the responsibility of decision lies with you, should you decide upon a public issue, I pledge to you every influence and effort in my power to assist the government in its endeavor to make a successful negotiation by public advertisement, which shall result in the sale to the treasury of 11,500,000 ounces United States gold coin ($200,000,000); and,further, I will so far as I possibly can, take such steps as will enable the syndicate which I represent to join, in making the negotiation successful to its full amount. “Awaiting the indications of your pleasure, I remain, respectfully yours, “J. PIERPONT MORGAN.”

A majority of men in public office are making more money than they could make at anything else, which is to say that they are receiving more than their services are worth. One man who will stand up for principle and right is more to be honored than a political party that deserts its principles for offices and boodle.

Mum’s the Word. Tom Reed, McKinley, Allison, Quay, Cullom, Morton, Platt, Depew, and even Harrison, Don’t know “where they are at.” They’re great on reciprocity, On tariff they are so-ie; But when it comes to They everyone are mum. You ask them how they stand on bonds, They never say a word. On greenbacks their opin'ons Have not as yet been heard. They’ll give you quick to understand They are for see-saw-sum; But broach to them free silver and They everyone are mum. These gentlemen uphold their side With force and eloquence— Except, of course, when mummified Astraddle of the fence. When going for a democrat, They make the welkin hum; But gold? Each fellow dodges that. They everyone are mum. They all of them have tender dreams, Hopes bursting into bloom. The White House through their vision gleams, They each have got a boom. They’re shy of ground they do not know; ’Tis fear that strikes them dumb. Ambition makes them cowards, so They everyone are mum. Somehow I always like a man Who speaks out flat and plain, Before he stops to scheme and plan Of future loss or gain; Who does not hedge and dodge about, But stands up straight and plumb. The fearless, honest man speaks out; The demagogue is mum. Tom Reed, McKinley, Allison, Quay, Cullom, Morton, Platt, Depew, and even Harrison, Don’t know “where they are at.” On old and time-worn platitudes They talk like kingdom come; When a live issue once intrudes They everyone are mum. J. A. EDGERTON.

When the two old parties are struck at the next election by the political lightning now accumulating, they will realize that the bond issue is not such a “popular loan’’ as it was recommended to be.

The difference the two old parties is the same as that between the two pigs that got into the potato patch; they tore up the ground and —eat the potatoes. If that British flying squadron cornea over here putting on airs it ought to b* made to fly the other way. The Populist senators are handling the truth like a two-edged sword. They are in fine shape to put the two old parties on record and they have the courage to do it.

Secretary Carlisle’s circular explaining how to make bids for the,pending bonds would be more compjete’if it told the dear people where to get the gold to pay for them.

WILL BE BETTER

THE PLATFORM OF THE PEOPLE’S PARTY. It Will Be Made In Jnljr Politician! War Predict Whit It Mar Be or Ought to Be, bat the People Will Say Whal It Shall Be. We have no disposition to dispute the fact that the people's party has arrived at a crisis in its history that requires careful leadership to guide it safely over the breakers. It the party were well established, well organized and disciplined, there would be but little danger. But it is yet in its formative period. This being the case, it is something more than a mere political party. It is a solemn, living protest against the two great political parties in this country and their corrupt methods.

At this moment it is asked to co-op-erate with a faction who do not see their way clear to indorse our platform, or even to cut entirely loose from their old parties. To what extent can thfe people’s party do this without a compromise of principle or lowering of its flag? That is the great question of the hour. The situation is about this: If the two old parties would accede to the demands of the silver men and open the mints to silver on equal terms with gold there would be no free silver party. The silver men would vote with the old parties. But if the old parties do not accede to their demands, then the silver men are willing to make the money question the issue.

Now cornea the question of platforms and candidates. Can the people’s party and the silver party unite? It is hardly worth while to discuss the possibility of emasculating, to any considerable extent, the Omaha platform, The consensus of opinion is that the three cardinal principles, finance, transportation and land, must remain. Whether the silver men could bring themselves t,o an acceptance of such a platform the future must determine.

There is a strong probability that if a union of forces is consummated it must be done on the man, each party retaining its distinctive platform. This would be a concession or compromise, without any sacrifice of principle. In the choice of a candidate it would be necessary to take one that had practically withdrawn from the old parties, at least to the extent of not partaking in their caucuses or indorsing their methods. , We do not think it would be possible to secure the vote of the populists for any man who still wears the old party harness. We do not mean by this that he would necessarily have to be a populist, but that he would have to be anti-monopoly to an extent that he would not work with either of the two old parties. And after the holding of the national conventions we predict that such a man will not be hard to find.

Those populists who style themselves leaders, and the silver men, who undertake to emasculate the Omaha platform, reducing it to the currency question alone, will -make a mistake. To those populists who have fears that such a thing will-be done, we have to say, there is no danger if you do your part. Go to work and organize our forces, and when you select your delegates to county and state conventions choose none but true men, and men with level heads. Avoid the hot heads, the ranters and trigger-mouth fellows. It is better to selecet a man with a level head, even if he had no tonque at all, than some shallow-brained, noisy talker who is all tongue. We take it for granted that every populist wants a union of reform forces, but that no true populist wants it at the sacrifice of principle. The silver men should not ask this, nor should we ask them to stand upon a platform which they-cannot indorse. But we can come to an agreement as to candidates, not only presidential candidates, but in every congressional district it should be seen to that where there is g gold-bug likely to be elected, all opposition should be combined against him. This can be done without an incongruous amalgamation of different political parties. Each party can respect the platforms and opinions of the other, whether it can indorse them or not. There will be no swallowing as announced by the plutocratic papers; bat there’ll be a general ground swell that will astonish somebody when the vote is counted, if we have respect for ourselves, and others who want to wrest this government from the hands of traitorous money-leeches. Agatn we say to the people, do your duty and all will come out right. Send good, true men to the convention and your interests will be guarded. There is a kind of victory that world be worse than defeat to us. It is not, with us, a fight for spoils, but for principle.

There is absolutely no hope for the man who shuts his eyes and says “I’m a Democrat because I am a Democrat,” or “I’m a Republican because I’m a Republican.” That kind of a man may have intelligence but he is soaked in prejudice like an old toper is in whiskey, and the only thing that can change him is spontaneous combustion.

The United States navy is not as large as that of Great Britain, but in case of war it would soon be made much larger by the Americans capturing British vessels. The bankers don’t like the People’s party and that Is one of thp best recommendations it has