People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1896 — They Cannot Buy Goods. [ARTICLE]

They Cannot Buy Goods.

On a recent trip through northern Indiana our train met with an accident that delayed us for about an hour, and as it was right in the midst of a farming country there were several farmers from the adjoining fields who came over to see if any one was hurt. The passengers had nothing to do but talk; they put several questions to The farmers and found them to a man for free silver. We noticed one farmer who was very much interested We asked why he was in favor of free silver; he said he thought we did not have a sufficient quantity of money and that the rate of interest was to high. This is the way he explained it : He said he owed $3,000 on his farm, for which he was paying 10 per cent interest; he found this season, after selling every' thing he could spare, he just managed to - scratch together enough to pay his interest, tax es, etc. “Now,” he said, my wife wants a new dress, my daughter is very much in need of a cloak, my son needs a new pair of boots and my overcoat is getting pretty shabby, but I guess I will have to make it do this winter. If I had been paying but 5 per cent on the $3,000 loan I would have had $l5O to spend with our local merchant.” I called on this local merchant. I found he did most of his trading in Chicago, but he said: "Money is so scarce with the farmers that I cannot give you an order. In fact I can buy no goods until I can sell some and collect some of the money that is owing me.” I happen to be a commercial salesman and a republican, but I shall vote for more money and I think the surest way and the quickest way is to have our government make it, instead of depending on European bankers to loan it to us at a high rate of interest.

J. C. KOLLA.

Chicago, Sept. 29.