Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-03-12
MINE LEGISE1TURE.
Remarks Of Mr.. Slower OF Harpswell.

Remarks Of Mr.. Slower OF Harpswell.
IL HorsE OF REPRE- SENTATIvEs, Mar h 9Th
on ssB II an act to increase the rate of interest"
Mr.. SPEAKER This question now before
the Uthse is one which, in my Judgment. Is OF
vital interest to the laboring classes OF this
State. And. sir, although | confess myself
incapable OF arguing their side of this ques-
ton in all its varied effects upon them, yet,
nevertheless. l feel bound, by duty to my
constituents to make a few remarks upon tins
auestion. which. believe, effects their inter-
csts so materially. / do not. Mr.. Speaker.
expect to change the result by anything may
saw. as fear that modern legislators are gov
erned more by selfinterest than by the inter
ests of their constituents; and let me
here, that in my opinion this growing evil is
everywhere thwar,ing the will of the people
and yearly bringing disgrace upon our repub-
lic And if this republican form of govern
ment is ever superseded by another this wan
ton disregard of the popular VIII VIII De the
cause of that change.
am not. sir, an advocate of agrarian laws
but, on the contrary, believe the property
holders should be more strictly guarded
against the dangers which are likely to follow
in the wake of unrestricted. universal, man
hood. womanhood, and childhood suffrage.
If the capitalists do not wish to provoke un-
lust and arbitrary interference with their
rights of property, let them hesitate before
pressing legislation. which, sincerely be-
Hcvc. will lend 10 cripple labor and burden
the poor, by raising the rate OF interest TO an
indefinite degree, which will tend to draw the
cal,ital. wLici,. under lower rate of interest,
would he employed in building ships and fac
tories and giving employment to the 1aborer
into fancy stocks and mortgages, thereby eat
ing up the substance of the mortgrger, whilst
it gives him no employment whereby he can
clear himself from his mortal enemies. They
evidently intend to disarm us, then rob us
with impunity. They are constructing for
the laboring bees patent hive. so to enable
them to get their honey without danger OF
getting stung or actually killing the occupants.
Now, sir, if l were in favor of raising the
rate of interest | could not vote for this bill,
because it is a species of class legislation. 1t
authorizes and makes any rate OF interest lc-
gal which the money lender and the specu-
lator may agree upon but the interest on
their grocer. tailor or butchers bills shall be
but six per cent. 1t is evident that no claim
upon which the poor man can ever receive
cent of interest will be. by this bill, entitled
to more than six per cent, whilst the same
butcher, who hires money to buy his stock,
will be obliged to pay. perhaps. twelve per
cent Why this distinction! II money Is
worth twelve per cent, if ii is for the good OF
the State that this should be the rate, why
not make it twelve per cent. for rich and poor
alike? Because, sir, they do not desire a
law to benefit the people. They simply de-
sire law to enable cnpidity to plumber the
people openly and without restriction.
This particular question, sir, has not yet
assumed political character because there
are these ravenous sharks and their accompa-
nying pilot fsh-the lawyers-in both parties,
and they have faith in their ability to lead and
control us poor men by their eloquent APP
peals to our prejudices. But, sir, let me tell
them that the grindstone of taxation and OPP
preston is sharpening our senses. That the
honest, laboring classes, who are sweltcring
under the burdens of unjust legislation, though
desiring TO honestly sustain the credit OF the
!. country, whose liabilities have been largely
increased by thieving, dishonest officials, yet
they will not suffer this state OF things long
to remain without applying the remedy which
they can apply through the organization OF
some kind of labor reform party. 1t was
truly remarked by Cooper that good men
are commonly passive until abuses become
intolerable. it being the designing rogue and
manager who is the most active" The labor
ing men have been passive, but, sir, the in
tolerable abuses practised upon them will
most surely compel them to reverse the
machine.
Now, sir, I observe that every member who
speaks upon this floor processes to be great
friend to the poor; those who Cypress them
most make the most eloquent observations of
their love for them. And | also observe that
there is more unanimity of action between the
rich and the learned against the poor and the
unlearned, in every question brought before
this house, than there is between the members
of either party against the members OF the
other party. Thank God there are honorable
exceptions to this rule relates to the rich
and the learned; there are those among them,
who, if | understand the wants and griev-
anccs of the poor, desire to legislate with ex-
act justice to all. 1t is only by appeals to
our partisan prejudices that these leaders
succeed III getting our votes, which place
them in position to carry out their own sell
fish designs. The proprietors of the press,
too, use their own columns to advocate meas
ures which will rebound to their own particu-
lar benefit; and using the same stereotyped
phrases of the politicians, declare they are
friends of the poor. And the press is scarcely
less dictatorial in indicating to us poor men of
the rural districts what laws will be best
adapted TO our wants, than the board OF edu-
cation are in telling us poor, ignorant crea-
lures, in the same locality, what laws to enact
to compel ourselves to educate our children
Alright to make them respectable.
lit is said that the devil can only 20 the
length Of his chain, but it is evident that his
subjects, not being chained, can go further
than he can; but do not believe that they
are invincible without we sit up like charmed
toads and allow ourselves TO be swallowed by
these serpents. 1t seems to me that ii is time
that the laboring men of this country should
declare their independence and demand equal
Justice at the hands of their Legislators. 1t
seems to me that ii is time that their hypocri-
cy, deceit and baseness should be exposed,
and if had half the education and talent of
these mps would attempt it myself.
No government, however strong. has been
able 10 stand long after the administrators of
that government have utterly disregarded the
wants of the people. 'For popult, Vor DEL
is an assertion assumed to be true by certain
successful politicians. and they appear to be-
Iieve themselves chosen of God, and like the
Pope of Rome, desire the people TO declare
fbem infallible. Now, sir, whether the voice
of the people is the voice Of God or not, il
will. sooner or later, have 10 be obeyed, and
that voice to-day is crying with the energy OF
despair for its representatives TIC tighten Its
bu r,lens Of taxation, and TO make those bur