The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1870-02-18
Hon. M. G. Kerr on the Finances.

ms III Congress, upon The subject OF The
finances and necdiul reforms, and which
we regret our limited space will not per-
init us to publish in full, with the follow
ing remarks:
I Mr. Speaker, the adoption of these
great and indispensable reforms would
enable the Government speedily 10 lit
from the weary backs of the people more
than one hundred million dollars of am
nual taxation, and many times more mil
lions now lost annually 10 the people by
reason vi the aggravated prices and costs
Of production, resulting from the dishon-
est laws enacted in the interests Of the
b0unt y-lcd monOpolists.
The history Of the last five years justi-
fies no hope that any Of these great re-
forms will bc attempted by the Rcpnbli-
can party Leaders. But il they are just,
they should awaken the profound inter-
est Of the people, and systemactic agita-
N ton for reform should be every where
organized. Popular indifference TO the
conduct Of public affairs has become of
Hate one Of the most alarming and dis
Lcartenng characteristics of the times.
Their apathy seems 10 be so great that
h0lhing can arouse them. No crimes
against the Constitution or civil liberty !;
no official indccencies or corruption; no
class legislation 10 dishonest and dclu-
siyc system OF taxation, move them from
their indifference. Ii this condition of
Lopular feeling Shall continue much lon
ger il will iuily justify the conduct of
Tie present rulers. Ii will prove that
the Representatives fifty express and il
lusir;.tc the moral seiscs or tie country.
and ibai i!c poison of general corrup-
tcn has stricken 10 Tie very heart Of the
Republic.
| Let us never cease 10 remember that
however bad or reckless or uniathfui
lihy Government becomes il still Is our
iGovcrnmcn.. and the duty toagitaic and
struggle Tor REFORM only becomes the
more Imperative. The brave man and
good citizen will never confess that all
lis LOST and reform Impossible, but will
High, Oh within his sphere and according
Ilo his ability while lie lasts. Good cizil
government. and especially seli-govern-
linent. requires unccasing vigilance, car
lncst efforts. and yirtuous intelligence in
s'ihe citizens. IL these exist and are n!va-
liicsied, the public. servants will not dare
TO openly and persistcnly to neglect their
lduty. ! trust the great masses OF the
lcountry will in the future act III this
: spirit, and more bcnciicent results Will
speedily follow.
Wien these rcformsarc made or when
I,lcv are in good faith commenced we
lMav lcpc to approach specie payments
: successfully and safely, but not sooner.
We cannot do il now nor hastily with
Ioui a violent >hocl, to all business inter-
lest. and u resulting necessity for lhlnc-
l,!ia.c return 10 inconvcrt iblc and IRE
Idccmablc currency, doing infinite in
liury in The attempt. The ncedinl amount
. Iof gold is not in tic country. L tndcrex-
listing laws and policy. to which l have
lalrcady referred. il cannot be induced I.
come here. The natural laws of trad,
lopcrating upon our foolish aud abnorna
lcondition " i'll attract il elsewhere. Ours
lis a gold producing. country. and yet iol
lmany wears more gold has annually becI
lcypurted than j. produced. For seven
wears ,ias. we have exported annually
lover sixtv-onc million dollars more l..ai
: We have imported. The average annua
product of the precious metals in th'
United states during the last fifteen years
does not exceed S5O.OcO.OOO, For man.
, wears past very little Of IL has found III
} way into general circulation. IL ha
: been hoardcd, exported, or converted u
lothcr uses than that OF a circulating me
dunn. Whc we have returned 10 u ra
!. tional and honest public policy this con
! -ldition will cease. il there were added
!. Ito our 500. .OCOOOO ofmpcr currency 10
+ Iday another s7UOOUO,OO0 ngold. doub
i we're inucl, whether specie payment co'll'
be restored and maintained for si'
months. II is a law Of finance that ~
Z inferior will always drive out Of circu!a
ton n superior currency, and that vas
foreign commerce which does not sub
s,antially consist in the exchange .
product for product other the product O
the precious metals, but leaves balanc
or deficit which greatly exceeds the LAT
Z ter product and must be paid III goit
will always drain the supply Of gold am
r. silver currency in any country agains
r. which such balance exists, and leave j
Is, 1t the vicious currency alone or cheafiy
and this is the condition Of the Unite
Estates to-day. Gold would still be wort
more than paper, because il would fin
: an immediate demand abroad which pa
per never has. 1t is the currency Of In
icrnational commerce and of civilization
II " ould instantly become an article (
"a, export, and by the irresistible laws {
trade it would speedily leave our coui
Il, 10 try and leave us substantially where W
ie. are to-day. Before We can hope to brin
,,,' ~ it here and induce il 10 remain, we mti