True Democrat., 1862-12-31
fcOMNVETCATED1
(coaMUyICATEp) MT Phax and MT. Figgers continue thelr Conversation.


 Mr. PHAx. It is admitted, even by the specuia- tors and extortOners, that unless thIs raPacious spirit is checked, our cause will be ruined. '" hang, without remorse, an abolition spy; we shoot, without compunction, an armed enemy; yet these men, wbo GO more injury, are permitted to go sco' free.
 Mir FeGERs There is point beyond human endurance and we are fast hastening to that point The spectators and extortioners do not see 1t, but the point is becoming visible In several citts the wagons of farmers who have asked extortlon ate prices or refused to receive anything but gold and silver, have been surrounded by women and the contents distributed. In a town in Alabama one of these extortioners was found hanging on a tree In other places their horses have been cut loose the nchpins taken from the wagons, or the latter broken to pieces
 P. Such things must not be permitted here No violations of law will cure an evil.
 F. They order these things better in France. An extortioner there would be imprisoned, and his property coniscated. Even spectators dare not touch the necessaries of life to any extent. In the first place, they dread the popular fury, and, --' w NS fend its people.
 P. Our counties and the state have made liberal appropriations to the poor, and these ought to afford relief.
 F. The relief afforded is very small, and the manner of relief is playing into the hands of specu lators The act of the legislature is entitled " an act for the relief of indigent families of solders ll1.l fort t1,ah oft of specuators and extortioners.'
 F. The legislature had the matter before them and certainly were liberal in appropnatng largely over mil on Of dollars.
 F. Their liberality and good intentions are not disputed Their great error consisted in giving paper to people who asked for bread. The coun try is full of money-there is no need or dearth of that It is not money that the people want; it is food, raiment, or the means to make these. These things are scarce and high priced One of the causes of the high prices is the superabundance of money Instead of taking steps to obtain food and clothing, the legislature throws over million of dollars more of money in circulation, and, of course prices go up still higher. The act gives five dollars a month to each family, which amount in some counties where there is no corn, would not find large family in corn meal.
 P. Iknow something of this money relief l will take the example of one county. Over year ago county lev ed tax for the special purpose of relief. It was suggested, and urged that the county should buy up such things would be needed, and distribute them Then, shoes might have been contracted f T at two three dollars d pair; clothing might have been obtained at one fourth of the present prices; bfeadstufs mi ght have been procured in quantities. and depot of goods and provisions established. This uld have enabled the county court to suit it's gifts to the wants of the applicant, and at the same time would have kept down prices Do you think they would do it? Not bit of it. This plan would have required some trouble, and would have been relief. On the contrary, they required the appli- cant to appear before the court, and make state- ment Here modest woman asked search ing questions; looked upon as a beggar; treat to a sight of magisterial dignity; and gracionsy placed on the county record a pauper, with an allowance. Of course. many poor woman could not leave her children and walk to town, while others, with honest pride, indignantly refused to come and submit 70 tDe Oi ueciaftt a pauper in due form of law. The bold and care less came forward, got their scrip, went down town and got some ribbons gimcracks. When a deserving woman got piece of county scrip, and presented 1t to shopkeeper, though he knew it would eventually be redeemed with gold, she was told it was worth forty the dollar and she might be able to purchase pair of little shoes, or some triie, and go home relieved. Bah. an ener- getic man, with half the money, could have done ten times more good, and afforded substantial lief to the deseryin
 F. Why was not this course pursued7
 F. Because it would have deprived the court of so much importance in dispensing money. It saved trouble to issue scrip, and impressed the recipients of the county with faint idea of the grandeur and awful importance, as well of the wis dom and charity of that august tribunal. the coun- ty court.
 F. There is a provision in the general relief law that county court may use the money to buy necessaries, and distribute them, instead of five dollars to each family.
 F. Let us hope that the courts will do this' In coun ies where corn is scarce, il they would send of, get boat load of corn, have it ground, and