People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1897 — Page 2

The\ Peoples Pilot. £ ; \ F, D. Craig, Editor. RENSSELAER. - - - IND.

Let the banks give security or receive no deposits. All money is created by law, and is therefore fiat money. There’s plenty of prosperity for the fellows who don’t need it. Thump the place-hunters as fast as they stick their heads up. It is the men who loan money that desire to control its volume. Government should do all the governing and part of the banking. Educate the people on the principles of Populism and the laws will follow. Thirteen persons committed suicide in St. Louis on the last day of the old year. If the Republicans fail (which they will), why not give the Populists a chance? It is not noise that convinces the judgment; neither is it eloquence, hut clear-cut logic. The dangerous person in politics is the one who persists in calling things by their right names. The money power is more dangerous to the liberties of the people than all other things combined. The way he National banks are failing don’t look like it was the “best banking system in the world.” One of the tenets in the creed of plutocracy is that the man who does the most work shall receive the leasl for It. Improved methods of production should shorten the hours of labor instead of creating millions of idle men and women. The trusts and corporations prosper under Democratic and Republican rule, but the people would prosper under Populist rule. The so-called money of ultimate redemption is a fraud. The only redemption money, needs is that in which it is received for the products of labor. A still hunt campaign now for the next three years will accomplish wonders. Every populist should help extend the circulation of populist papers. Bradstreet reports losses by business failures for 1896 at $248,000,000, which is an increase of 16 per cent over the year 1895. And the gold standard mill grinds on. The Caucasian, Raleigh, N. C., offers the democratic members of the legislature of that state for sale to Mark Hanna fer the election of a United States senator. Every National bank note represents a double rate of interest which the people pay, while a greenback should represent no interest and yet be a safer currency than the bank note. The great dailies having exhausted their resources in guessing who would be chosen in McKinley’s cabinet are now printing the names of some of the “Faithfuls” who will not be in it. If it is to be a part of our business creed that the “fittest shall survive," an important question is, who is the fittest —the man who produces by his labor, or the drone who appropriates it through his gall? At last the bloodhound has scored a great victory. Robert Laughlin was hanged at Brooksville, Ky„ the other day, and the detectives who ran him down were two dogs. V/hen confronted with the evidence of these mute witnesses the murderer confessed. The school book trust is one of the evils that merits the opposition of every honest man. The state should look after this matter, and as every state has a school fund, a portion of it might be used profitably in publishing its own text books and furnishing them free to the pupils. At any rate, the power of the trust should be broken. Chauncey Mouth Depew says that in the recent election “honesty and patriotism won.” It is not stated whether this was said in an after dinner speech or not, but if Chauncey perpetrated it as an off-hand joke it is a good one. Money carried the election and the men who furnished the money were the big. gest tax-dodgers in the world and in case of war would, every mother’s son of them, hire a substitute. “Honesty and patriotism!” Oh, Chauncey, you’re a good one.

John C. Calhoun, on e of the ablest statesmen and best constitutional lawyers this country ever had, was in favor of irredeemable paper currency, baaed simply on its receivability for taxes and other dues to the government, and bid defiance to any man to show wherein it would not be the best paper currency that could be issued. Tbomas Jefferson also contended that such a currency would take the place of that much gold and remain at par with j that metal. But the bankers object.

“If any will not work neither shall he eat.” People who take time to think seldom do as they desire. The best banking system in the world is getting in bad repute. The National banks should be ordered to keep off the grass. Government banks will do much towards relieving the situation. There seem 3 to be a want of parity between “confidence” and “prosperity.” Even old friends are apt to grow musty if kept in a damp place —a saloon, for instance. If the government has to guarantee the credit of the bank money why not save any further trouble and issue the money itself? The people are not much interested in the tariff business; they have gnawed on that bone until they are tired, besides the thing has been settled twice already. Weyler and his army have perhaps done less than was ever done in the same length of time with as large a number of troops, but he can yet compare very well with the record of the Democratic period when that party had 'ts “chance.” The Republicans have begun to realize the responsibility which they wilb Boon assume and it is no pleasant thing to contemplate. The old plan of dividing the offices and shirking the responsibility was best but the people do not ifrant it that way any more. Each party will be held responsible for its action or non-action.

Defeat of the Pacific Railroad Bill.

The defeat of the Union and Central Pacific railroads funding hill in the house of representatives last week was just what was expected. The territory through which the roads run strongly opposed the measure, and the Western states in general were against it. Of course partisan lines were not drawn on it. Eighty-six of the 102 votes in favor of the measure were cast by Republicans and sixteen by Democrats, while the 168 votes cast against it came from ninety-nine Republicans, fifty-eight Democrats, five Independents and six Populists. It was the purpose of the bill to permit the issue of new bonds to the amount of about $140,000,000 in behall of the Union and Central Pacific railroads, the bonds to run eighty years, and the rate of. interest to be about 2 per cent. In addition, the railroads were to pay a sufficient sum in annual installments to extinguish the principal in the period covered by the bonds. The debt due the government by the two roads is in the neighborhood oi $120,000,000, and as security the government has a lien on both lines, which is subordinate, however, to a prior lien on each amounting to over $60,000,000 in the aggregate.—GlobeDemocrat.

Educating Soldiers.

It is a striking fact that the government makes elaborate, expensive, and perfect provision for the training and instruction of the few young men who are expected to serve it as soldiers, and yet the youth of the land receive practically no training in the higher duties of citizenship. The citizen is of vastly more importance than the soldier, and it is proportionately as important that those duties should be fully understood. It does not follow that this instruction should be either at government expense or under governmental direction or control, but it does seem that the citizen should be instructed in his duties and responsibilities to and rights under the government as that its soldiers should be familiar with theirs. The business of killing men seems to be the only one which has the especial care of the government in the instruction of youth. Is it not quite as important that our youth be instructed in the best ways to avoid a resort to such means or be taught the most practical and scientific means by which men may be fed, clothed, and sheltered, and their lives rendered happy and enjoyable?—Watchman.

Vest on the Election.

“I do not care to say more of the last election than that, in my opinion, it was a parody on popular government and free institutions. I am curious to know what will be the result of the investigation proposed under the resolution of the gentleman from Nebraska —Allen. I would like to understand why in the new and growing state of Texas and others in the west there has been no increase of population in four years, while in the old, finished and completed states of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, there has been an enormous increase, such as was never found before in any of the United States.”— Setiator Vest.

Populist Congressmen-Elect,

The Populists have elected congressmen as follows: M. W. Howard, Alabama; C. A. Barlow, California; Dr. C. H. Castle, California; J. C. Bell, Colorado; James Gunn, Idaho; Mason Peters, Kansas; Jerry Botkin, Kansas; E. R. Ridgely, Kansas; W. D. Vincent, Kansas; N. B. McCormick, Kansas; Jerry Simpson, Kansas; Samuel Maxwell, Nebraska; Wm. L. Stark, Nebraska; R. D. Southerland, Nebraska; Wm. L. Green, Nebraska; Harry Skinner, North Carolina; John E. Flower, North Carolina; Wm. F. Stroud, North Carolina; C. H. Martin, North Carolina; Alonzo C. Shuford, North Carolina; J, T. Callahan, Oklahoma.

WORK OF CONGRESS.

LEGISLATIVE PROCEEDINGS AT WASHINGTON. The House Agrees to the Final Conference Report on the Immigration Bill liy an Immense Majority—Arbitration Treaty Debated. Friday, Feb. 5. Senator McMillan introduced, by request, in the senate, a bill declaring ‘‘The Star Spangled Banner” to be the national song of the United States. Richard R. Kenny, the silver Democrat from Delaware, was sworn in in the senate, his credentials being regular and signed by the governor. No objection was made, though Senator Chandler stated his belief that H. A. Dupont had been legally elected, adding however, that Mr. Kenny could be seated and the matter brought before the senate hereafter. Monday, Feb. 8. The house devoted the whole day to District of Columbia business, and two bills of more or less local importance were passed. The conference report on the immigration bill was presented, and notice given that it would be called up Tuesday. The Anglo-American arbitration treaty was under consideration by the senate in executive session. Senator Morgan urged the prompt ratification of the treaty, with the amendments proposed, and Senators Morgan and Daniel opposed it. Tuesday, Feb. 9. The house agreed to the final conference report on the immigration bill by an overwhelming majority (217 to 33) and passed two more pension bills over the President’s veto. A bill was passed to prevent the fraudulent use of the word “copyright” on books and other publications. The most important development concerning the consideration of the arbitration treaty by the senate in executive session Tuesday were the offering of an amendment by Senator Morgan /Ala.) providing for the abrogation of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty and the speech of the same senator in favor of this proposition. % Wednesday, Feb. 10. The house has passed the senate bill relating to the carrying of obscene matter by express companies, and it went

WHERE ILLITERATE IMMIGRANTS COME FROM.

Percentages of illiteracy among immigrants from those nations of Europe which sent upward of 2,000 immigrants to the United States during the fiscal year 1895-90. COMING FROM NORTH- kROM EASTERN AND WESTERN EUROPE. SOUTHERN EUROPE.

Average of Group, 4.5 Per Cent. Switzerland 0.8 Denmark 0.9 Sweden and Norway... 1.2 Germany 3.0 France 4.0 England 5.4 Scotland 5.7 Ireland 7.0 Finland 11.8

A law providing for the exclusion of illiterates would affect very slightly those races which have built up the country but Would debar considerable numbers of immigrants from the less desirable peaces which have but recently begun to come in large numbers, and who congregate in the lower quarters of the Atlantic seaboard cities. In 1809 the immigrants from Austria-Hungary, Italy, Russia and Poland were about l-100th of the number from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Scandinavia; in 1880 about l-10th, in 1894 nearly equal to it, in 1890 l-3d greater.

TROUBLE IN CRETE.

Christians Killed by Mohammedan Soldiers —Houses Burned. There was firing in the streets of Canea, Island of Crete, for several haurs Thursday. Several Turkish soldiers were wounded. The trouble originated in the unfounded report that the Mussulmans had killed twentyseven Christian sentinels in Akrostri. Three-fourths of the Christian quarters in the city have been burned to the ground, according to late advices received from the Island of Crete, The Christians, while trying to escape to the warships, were attacked .by the Mussulman population. The total number of victims as a result of the reoent fighting is estimated at 300.

Says Harry St. John Is Alive.

William Canty of Springfield, 111., is authority for the statement that Harry St. John of Oklahoma City, O. T., is still alive. St. John was the son of exGov. John P, St. John of Kansas, who was reported to have died in Oklahoma City about three months ago, while under indictment for the alleged murder of his wife.

Several Passengers Hurt.

The north and south bound Oregon! passenger trains on the Southern Pacific road collided at Nords station, w few miles from Chico, Cal. No one was killed, but several /were injured. The engine and several cars were wrecked.

Women for Arbitration.

An open letter to the women of the United States, 'urging them to use all means in their power to further the passage of the arbitration treaty with Great Britain, has been issued. It is signed by a number of well-known women.

Riots at Hamburg. Germany.

Striking dock laborers and police had a fierce fight at Hamburg Tuesday night. Two men were killed and nineteen seriously wounded, among the latter being five policemen.

to the President for his signature. Senator Morgan, the champion of the Nicaragua Canal bill, announced in the senate his abandonment of that measure so rthe present session of congress, and thereupon it was displaced by the bankruptcy bill. The senator gave notice that he would renew his advocacy of the bill at an early day of the coming extra session. The agricultural appropriation bill was then taken up. It brought out a severe arraignment of Secretary Morton by Mr. Vest (Rem., Mo.). Senators Chandler and Gallinger also criticised the business methods of the secretary.

ELECTORAL VOTE COUNTED.

Formal Announcement of the Result In the November Flection. The last formality i! icident to a presidential election occi rred Wednesday in the hall of the hoi se of representatives in the presence of the joint assembly of congress, /when the vicepresident announced the electoral vote as shown in the returns from the several states. The totals were as follows: For President: McKinley, 271; Bryan, 176. For vice-president: Hobart, 271; Sewa.ll, 149; Waison, 27. The announcement of the state of the vote is the only notification the president-elect and i ice-president-elect will receive. No official communication is sent to them. <)

Bank Fails at Minneapolis.

A receiver has bhen appointed for the Bankers’ Exchange Bank at Minneapolis;- with a bond fixed at $20,000. The bank; is a small institution, which closed list December, and was reopened in January. All its deposits except $13,p00 have been withdrawn. The officers of the hank say that there are assets oij $40,000.

Henry Watterson Can’t Come.

The Michigan “sound money” Democratic Central committee has changed the datjb of the convention in this city from February 24 to March 3. This is done tp allow. more time to secure speakers. Henry Watterson cannot come, but Chairman Bynum and others maiy be secured.

Singer Dies on the Stage.

Armgnd Castelmary, while singing the role of Tristano in Flotow’s opera of “Martha” at the Metropolitan opera house, New York, Wednesday, dropped dead of heart disease, j

The black part shows the proportion of those over fourteen years of age who could not read and write in any language.

Average of Group ,47.9 Per Cent. Greece 20.2 Russia 4i.i Austria-Hungary 45.0 Italy Portugal 77.7

RIOTS AT HAMBURG.

Knives and Revolvers Freely Used and Many Arrests Made. Serious riots have followed the recent collapse of the dockers’ strike at Hamburg, Germany, the workmen, incensed at the failure of their cause, attacking the laborers as they emerged Horn the docks Saturday evening at Altona and St. Pauli. Knives and revolvers were freely used. A number of persons have been injured, including several onlookers. Nearly 100 arrests ljave been made by the authorities. It Was 2 o’clock Sunday morning before tlhe large forces of mounted police suc:eeded in clearing the streets and quieting the people.

Carlisle to Live in New York.

Secretary Carlisle has definitely de-* cided to locate in New York on March 4 for the practice of law. This statement has been sent out by certain correspondents, although at the treasury department it is believed to be premature at least. It is understood there that the secretary has reached no conclusion as to whether he will locate in New York or Louisville.

Soldiers’ Home for Illinois.

A favorable report was made in the bill introduced by Representative Cannon in congress for a soldiers’ home in Vermillion county, 111. The bill carries an appropriation of $200,000, and proposes to furnish accommodations for 2,500 veterans.

May Be Minister to Mexico.

Col. Henry M. Cooper of Little Rock, Ark., says that Gen. Powell Clayton is slated for the Mexican ministry. Gen. Clayton is now at Eureka Springs, preparing to leave for Mexico soon after President McKinley’s inauguration.

Gowdy Will Go to Paris.

State Chairman John K. Gowdy of Indiana has authorized the announcement that he has been offered the place of consul-general to Pariu. He has accepted.

POPULISM IN EUROPE.

A CITY THAT HAS NO TAXES TO PAY. The Public Franchises Made to Bear the Expenses of Government —This Is What Genuine American Patriots Are Looking For. People’s Messenger: “The city of Glasgow, Scotland, celebrated the New Year with rejoicing over the fact that from now on they have no taxes to pay. The public ownership of the natural monopolies, such as the water supply, the lighting of streets and houses, the disposal of sewage, the street car service, etc., have brought into the city treasury so great a revenue that there is no longer need of property tax. At the same time the charges for gas, electricity, water and car fafre have been reduced much below those in vogue in the days of exclusive private ownership. The people of America—progressive as they are in national and in state government—have much yet to learn in matters municipal, and Glasgow offers as an excellent teacher.”

The above appears as an editorial in the Mobile Register, a gold-bug organ that denounces everything savoring of Populism, yet the very desirable condition of the city of Glasgow is the result of Populist policy put into practical operation. What Glasgow has done every city and town in the United States may do,- whenever the people abandon their political prejudices and determine to vote for their interests. As a rule the business men in cities and towns are stanch Democratic or Republican partisans, who reject with scorn any suggestion coming from the “d d Populite trash,” nevertheless Glasgow has demonstrated that municipal ownership of public utilities, when conducted on pure Populist principles, furnishes her people with light, watei and transportation at a less cost than is paid by any city in America, and then yields a sufficient profit to the city to pay all other expenses. This is the paternalism to which the politicians, corporations and money changers object to so strenuously in this country, and our business men, as a rule, without investigation follow their lead to their own cost. Would it not be better to have a little “paternalism” if it would save so much to the taxpeyers? In other words, would not any sensib.le man prefer to have his home town or city in a similar condition to Glasgow than New York or Chicago, where Tammany boodlers and convict Yerkes were robbing the people of millions every year? Before we conclude we want to say, too, that what may be done by a municipality might also be done by the state and nation. The interest paid the money changers and the excessive charges handed over to the railroad, telegraph and telephone trusts in this country would more than pay the entire expenses of government. The policy advocated and practiced by both the Democratic and Republican parties will perpetuate the present conditions or bring worse. Te relieve thg people of the oppression they . endure and give them an opportunity to secure the boon which Glasgow enjoys, Populist ideas must be adopted and enforced. When, if ever, will the American people exchange their party prejudices for their country’s happiness and prosperity?

"FOUNDED IN BLOOD.”

A Chicago Preacher Who Calls a Spade , a Spade. “Our university in Chicago has been founded in blood and must and will fall.” Tljfs is the startling denunciation said to have been made by Dr. W. W. Boyd of the Second Baptist church at the ministers’ weekly conference recently. Thirty ministers were present and the charge created a profound sensation. Dr. Boyd referred to the Chicago University, the largest Baptist educational institution in the United States. The university was founded by John D. Rockefeller, the Standard Oil king, who gave $3,000,000. It is supported by many other large endowments and by subscriptions from Baptists all over the country. Among the statements, he said: “The press, the pulpit, and all professions, especially that of law, are the allies and hangers-on of capitalist brigands.” Another argument presented by Dr. Boyd was that society was divided into drones, who are inventors; brigands who are the manufacturers and their allies; and the robbed wage-earners, and, he added for himself, that the wage-system, as at present established, is in large part to be blamed for existing misery, and that "all capital is fleecings, and wealth is the accumulation of these fleecings.” Dr. Boyd passed to the Standard Oil Company, and, it is said, made startling declarations concerning its methods. A spirited discussion followed. Rev. Colwell sounded an attack upon Carnegie, averring that the armor-plate king’s fortune was built upon the brain and brawn of men ground down by injustice. Dr. Boyd, while pastor of one of the most prominent Baptist churches of Newark, N. J., was thrown much with John D. Rockefeller.—Cincinnati Post. It makes the Republicans froth at the mouth when you point to the present depressed condition of business. They retort that their time is not begun; that they cannot be supposed to do anything until after the 4th of March. Ah, well! We’ll see what we shall see. Much was promised, and much is expected.

MORGAN’S COMMENT.

Snap Shots Taken from the Fasslng Procession. The Globe-Democrat, which, by the way, is very good plutocratic authority, says: “The principal thing to be done in dealing with the Pacific railroad matter is to get back as much as possible of the vast sums that certain bandits have made out of the property at the expense of the government.” Why not prosecute the bandits the same as we do common highwaymen and footpads, and also proceed the stolen property as in the case of common thieves? * * * It is amusing to note the frantic efforts of the plutocratic papers to inspire the public with the hope of “returning confidence.’ Here s a sample:! “The savings banks report a large increase in number of new depositors since the November election. This is one of the best proofs of returning confidence, as well as of a gradual improvement, of business.” K business is reviving why is the money going into the savings banks? It takes cash to run business and the more money there is out of the banks the better the indications are that it is being invested in business enterprises. * • * There is some significance in this increase of deposits, but it can hardly be said that the hoarding of money will tend to revive business. As between dishonest bank officials and ordinary footpads and highwaymen the possessor of cash funds is between the devil and deep sea. And with the increase in the number of “holdups” and robberies on the one side and the corresponding increase of bank failures on the other hand, the sea room is narrowing down very rapidly. It begins to look like a good burglar-proof safe was the best solution to the problem. * * * Chauncey M. Depew, the $50,000 a year railroad president, in one of his recent orations said: “It is the result of my study, experience and observation, that the best day is to-day, and to-morrow will be better.” There i 3 some very good philosophy in that observation, and it is to be regretted that the conditions are such that it cannot be almost universally applied. With a great many people—far too many—• the situation could be more truthfully expressed in the words, “To-day is the worst day, but to-morrow will be worse.” Mr. Depew seems to see only the bright side of life. He would forget that his words and philosophy cannot be applied to the wretched poor that have not left to them even the opportunity to earn their bread. A better philosophy would be “the best day is that in which we do the most for humanity.” * * * The St. Louis Republic, commenting on the probabilities of co-operation, or, a continued alliance between the democrats and populists, says: “Populist members of the legislature in this state went into caucus with the democrats and thus signified their intention to act with the party. It is probable that in this and other states many democrats who had wandered into populism will not return to it, but will stay in their, old party. But certainly all of that crowd of political wild steers known as the Middle-of-the-Roaders will probably get together on a platform which will embrace flat money and all the isms of the extremists. As hard money is a basic principle of democracy, this action on the part of the populists must signify the parting of the ways of the late allies and a triangular fight four years from now.” It seems that the republic “snuffs the battle from afar,” and it certainly is refreshing to see it so frankly announce its allegiance to the money of barbarism. Yes, all true populists will take up the fiat for real scientific fiat money and press the fight to a finish.

Senator Campbell of Labette county, Kansas, has introduced a bill in the senate of that state modeled somewhat after the Coxey good roads, non-in-terest bearing bond plan. The bill provides for the issuance of $3,200,000 in state script intended to circulate as money within the boundaries of the state. The bill is ingeniously gotten up in order to evade the provisions of the state and federal constitutions, which prohibits a state from issuing money. The title of the bill is “An act providing for the employment of idle labor on roads and the issuance of notes therefor.” Its intent is for the various counties of the state to put idle men at work on the public roads and other public improvements and pay for the same in notes nominally issued by the counties, but in reality by the state. * * * According to the provisions of the bill these notes will be issued 'in^the following manner: The governor shall procure notse which draw 1 per cent interest, mature in 10 years and are exempt from taxation. A county can procure them from the state and issue them, the state simply “recommending” them to be worth their face value. They are then supposed to circulate as money, are receivable for state end county taxes and are ultimately redeemed by the state. In order to provide against too great an issue of the notes being made the bill provides that no county shall receive or issue an aggregate amount of more than 1 per cent of the assessed valuation of that county, in one year, and not more than 4 per cent during the entire 10 /ear 3. W. S. MORGAN. The McKinley administration is not now on trial, but the result of the election, so far as it affects the confidence of business men, is, and so far ha» proved to be a disappointment and failure. Confidence was apparently restored, but prosperity never showed up.