Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1874-06-11

4. A. HkNWOJlD,. Eililor & Proprietor.
AUSTIN. MIMI |
MORNING, JUNE II, 1874.
Money l.0aners VI. Money
These classes arc not always entirely
distinct from each other, rs in. the case
If retired manu1hpttwcrvs. merchants, or
lborers, who loan theiffi'snrplus earnings
to others Of the <amc class. Or when \
ha.hsn SPECTATOR, a money lender, "n-
lleEtakes incidentally some productive
pursuit. Notwithstanding this occasion.
ii coincidence, It II not dihcut to Gee
shat there arc such clnssc>,. with interests
altogether distinct, and that they may be.
como antagonistic by the exorbitant do
Dands Of either one upon the other. Tho
class having hpossession, or within easy
reach, large quantities Of tho medium Of
exchange, may demand for it, use \
price which 10 moaey users cannot pay
without serious detsiment The money
of the capitalist supplies al Ais needs,
and meets his obligations.
Thoso wl.o under the powerful stress Of
nscessAy 80 oonpens&ss horrow, have
no deispas against No exactions of the
money lender; hence the parties are not
"a N equality, and when contest occurs
the weaker must submit to the terms i'm.
posed by the stronger. ltshould be oh.
served that money lenders are few, com.
pasaalveay, and that they avail them
selves Of ~ leaeA6 oe 4 complete or:
ganization. fox the ne1I,e4nn1fon->e>' .~;'
power. This enables them - employ all
possible aid. The moneyed class have
also under control, all Of those powerful
agencies by which men arc Influenced.
They own, or dictate the course Of the
most influential newspaper. They ap.
rear In great numbers. and under the
mast favorable auspices before every leg
islaturo In the land. Without imputing
open bribery 10 any, it h easy to see that
. markstl:respcct is shown to their views
b1 oon0iteees, BY members on the floor
and in Tho reception rooms of executive
officers. The pulpit and the rostrum are
pretty accurate reflections of the opinions
Of the "body slips and Of The reserved
seats" TAetshools of'easntngise invaded
BY IT, and false philosephies ingneiously
inter~oven,. faint the minds Of young
msn. They come from the colleges and
universities imbaed with theories Of po'
lie,eal economy, imported from the old
~orld- a.aizepublican In spirit, and
teaehfngs ssrvile submission to wealth,
custom, au1a established institutions
without special regard 10 their character
q value. Tie power Of wealth IL very
great, and al history teaches the tenden-
eY 10 abuse any authority which Is not
itseIfsubd3e ct 10 some Wholesome restraint;
I'D thi>aeaA4se1 bseonss> more obvious
with each now concession to its demands.
4 b not strange therefore that with
these combined, and overwhelming I'D.
vantages, tho money lenders have
shaped the legislation Of the country ;fa.
vorably to The promotion Of their inter.
ests. Neither IL It strange that the great
body Of the people to whom the employ.
mcnt of money Is necessity, but who
hold no accumulation of It should find il
scarce ind atsainable only At high rates.
We need not be surprised that q sacred
right Of the people has been wrested from
them; and turned INTO an instrument Of
oppression. The bullionists in congress
and ii Observation-Disclosures discuss the mon.
e question fson the stand point Of the
lender. When To vs1se ofmoney IL ia
ID established, the interest Of it, posessol
nabsei 10 consulted. The committees ask
with Difference. the opinion OF bankers
and brokers, while they ignore entirely
lie views Of the great class Of produ
GERS with contempt. This was apparent
In our own state last winter. The Senate
the arfstocratic, wealthy portion Of the
legislature passed what was known as
the "Usury BILL" Within three days
nom ito passage, quotations tom the ho
>eIRegfsters ofSt. Paul, showed the pres
ence In that city Of At least one member
each, from three louzths Of the banking
houses In the state. Tho bill went Il
the House, Wa read and referred 10 tb<
committee a finance, and vas thsres1ts,
never heard Of more,"-killed In The
house Of it, friends, by the concerted At
tsek Of the money lenders. Such is the
contest and such the manner Of its being
waged. Disguise itas We will, the fact. -,
apparent, and the question clearly stated
10, ~Shall the currency be controlled and
the price Of it, use be established by thu
few thousand money lenders in their Owl
interest solely, or shall tho people VIII
employ it in production and In: tho dtvsl
opment Of the country's acknowledgements,
have some voice In the matter:' Let tn,
inquiry 60 around.