People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1897 — The Duty Of The Hour. [ARTICLE]

The Duty Of The Hour.

Bank Examiner Breidenthal of Kansas announces that there are too many banks in that state for the volume of business and urges consolidation. The people will hold a bigger monetary conference in November 1898 and in 1900 than the puny one sided affair just closed in Indianapolis. Ugly stories are current as to Hanna money having been used in the North Carolina legislature to secure the re-election of Prich art, who was a pronounced goldbug in the recent campaign. The Kansas Farmers Alliance, that was reported to be in a morabund condition, has taken a new lease on life and a plan for co operative work is being prepared by Anna L. Diggs and others. Gov. Holcomb’s message is characterized by great good sense. He urges a better ballot system, economy in state affairs, an anti-railroad pass law and speaks agamst the beet sugar bounty. ~ It is conceded that Gov. W. J. Stone could have succeeded George Vest in the senate had he indicated a wish for the place. He was urged by the new democracy and Populists to accept the nomination but he declined.

Coxey’s meeting at St. Louis on Jan. 12, to organize a new party, was something of a “frost.” About twenty persons of more or less prominence were in attendance and regrets were read from as many more. President McKinley is having a serious time getting his cabinet made up. All so far honOrod decline, and Thos. Reed gives it out cold that they do not desire to be the tools of Mark Hanna and that is what all McKinley appointees must be.

Among the many signs of better times (?) is the eviction of 51,000 families in Greater New York. Kansas will be avenged for the recent slanders of the press of that metropolis by sending several train loads of grain and provisions to the suffers.

After a most harmonious meeting January 6, at Lincoln, Nebraska, the State Bimetalic Union appointed a committee consisting of one Populist, one silver democrat and one prohibitionist to have charge of the affairs of the union until such time as another meeting should be held. Gov. Altgeld in his final message displayed his wonted vigor. He scored newspaper men and methods and it is generally believed that he intends starting a paper to show just how it should be run. Tanner cut Altgeld’s name off the inaugural program and then openly declared himself against the “common” people and for corporate wealth.

With gold democrats celebrating Jackson Day, by banqueting and speeches at one place, and Silver Democrats (Popocracs) doing the same at another we fear that the shade of “Old Hickory” was moved to righteous wrath. W. J. Bryan was an honored guest at Chicago the 7th and at Lincoln the Bth, the banquets having been so arranged that he might attend both. At both places he reiterated his desire that no clubs should be called by his name and that he should not be held in the attitude of a presidential candidate for the next four years.

Gov. Pingree in his inaugural address urged the abolishing, in his state, Michigan, of political conventions and the use of the direct vote in nominating candidates; the use of the referendum in granting quasi public franchises; two cent railroad fares; and inheritance and income tax. Pretty good People’s party man is Pingree,, if he is like others, afraid of the name! At the joint meeting of Populists, silver democrats and republicans held there they did not endorse this message in its entirety but warmly commended the portions referred to. The joint meeting was harmonious.

George F. Washburn, of Boston, whom every Populist knows, has issued an address filled with earnest words to the party but the rather unnecessary assertion that Populism is not democracy. He reiterates the facts, in which all real Populists join without argument, that Populists are not silverites, but believers in scientific money, that the union in the last election did not injure our cause or party but that on the contrary we have to-day every reason for satisfaction, Mr. Washburn closes with the suggestion that a meeting of party leaders be held as soon as practicable to perfect plans for the future.

Li Hung Chang is getting credit for breaking up a well-laid scheme of John Rockefeller, George Gould. Calvin Brice and others to get a government franchise, build and control a vast system of railroads in China; “Reaper” McCormick has had his picture taken off of the treasury notes because other business men objected to his getting so much free advertising; Claus Spreckels’ daughter has not only eloped with a poor man but has returned with thanks the one and one half millions that he had given her for pocket change; and Hetty Green, has contrary to all precdent, been obliged to buy her a new bonnet; so we must conclude that even the “plutes” have trouble of their own.

If the government has one duty more imperative than another it is to protect the weak against the strong. What is the particular encroachments of the strong on the rights of the weak, which is peculiarly characteristic of our civilization? Does it not consist in depriving- them of their right to enjoy the fruits of their work? What is the government of the United States doing today to pro tect the weak against the strong in this respect? Is not every man or woman who is driven into enforced idleness a proper subject for the government to streteh forth its strong arm and protect? We believe that they are, and we propose to make the demand that the government of the union and all the various states shall act on these cases. We want the Assemblies of the Knights of Labor everywhere throughout the United States to take up this subject and discuss it and act upon it. Make your demands on the government and make them so strong that they cannot be disregarded. Then send to the Journal your suggestions as to what particular immediate action you think, the government should take to right this grave wrong and injustice which is being inflicted on hundreds of thousands of the best people in the country.—K. of L. Journal. 1

In our last letter we referred to the departure of Senator Wolcott for London to attend an alleged Bimetallic Conference. He has been welcomed there in his true colors. The London Times of January Bth says: “Senator Wolcott will be welcome here. For several reasons Mr. McKinley could not have chosen a more acceptible envoy. But public opinion in England is more hostile than before to bimetallism. Nothing can be hoped from the visit, except as a political movement and a salve to the silverities. The failure of his mission is certain. No public man, whatever his theoretical veiws, would think the present an opportune moment to moot the question, and this opinion will exist, at all events, as long as bimetallism appears to be dropped or revived according to the exigencies of American domestic politics.”

A dispatch from Topeka, says that a bill has been framed and will be pressed before the state legislature requiring persons who own more than 160 acres of land to sell if a reasonable offer is made; if a tender is refused on the ground that the price is too low, then a jury will decide. If that tribunal fixes a greater price below the tender made the land owner pays the cost of the suit. If the jury fixes a greater price the intending purchaser pays the cost. If such a law was passed it would doubtless be declared unconstitutional, but there is a remedy for landlordism which the Kansas legislature can apply that will be equally effective and cannot be set aside by the courts. Make a homestead, to the value of two thousand dollars, free from tax and every acre of land held in Kansas for speculation will be offered for sale and it will sell without a jury having to fix a price, either. Yes, more than that, it will bring to the state a million more people in the next five years. This act alone would immortalize the name of populism in the United States.— Chicago Express.