Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-11-18
Hard Times

must be developed !; her resources OF soil, min
erals, forests, &c, are great THE bounteous
gift of natures God. But why the cause of
hard times, the cause of this general and fear
tul depression Of all the material Interest of the
country should be kept a secret any longer |
cau't divine. Why not view the situation as it
is, and state the case as it stands2 which can
be done 10 five words, THE onerous rate of
interest"
Think of it. In Europe, where the indus
trial pursuits are most successful, capital bears
about three aud a-half per cent interest. In
the United States, where We have fresh and
rich soil, with an Unlimited domain, money
hires tor near ten per cent.
The experience Of the world teaches that
money invested 10 industrial pursuits cannot
bear more than four per cent interest 10 be Jus,
and equitable TO the operative. Then, that
being fact and it is capable of undeuabe
demons,rati"u--is it to be wondered at that
our mills and factories arc idle and Wondering
10 RUN that our farm are growing up 10 brush
aud brambes; that the shipping has deserted
our waters, aud that our RAILROADS are lsn-
gushing?
Capital is said to be sensitive; it is avaricious
as well; il will seek the best-payiug invest
ment; and l have no quarrel with it 90 that
score. But why the representative wisdom Of
the United States 10 Congress assembled should
thluk II proper to tax the industry Of the couu-
try GENEROUSLY, to pay and keep faith " with
set of speculative sharpers who bought the
government bonds at one third or one half of
their face value, is one OF the unexplained
mysteries Of political economy that belongs
perhaps, to The secret service department.
1t Is unjust. unequal, and fraud. But that
these same bands should be exempt from tax.
alton to bear the excessive burdens OF the
times Is au outrage upon the people, and dis
grace to Legislative Intelligence.
lu q out shell we have the whole case-the
high rate for the use of money makes it un-
profitable 10 farm or manufacture, Industries
that are the vital support Of country J hence
the producing Interests are paralysed Tor want
o! capital at rate Of interest within profitable
bounds. The rea estate is uuproductiye, aud
Is being rapidly consumed by high taxes, con-
sequently will cot realize half i,s cost value in
the market
1LAatien would give no relief. IF $500. 900, 900
OF national banking capital was sent our to tie
South and West it would all return to Wall
street, the money centre, 10 the way of revenue
taxes and interest, In a very short time, and
leave the people with additional Indebtedness.
1t is the un quail and ruiuous rate OF interest
on the public debt, on banking, and for The Use
OF the money that belongs 10 the people-it is
this enormous draiu upou the industry of the
country, that has wrought this embarrassment,
and Is fast teudlug to general bankruptcy.
Il duce the rate of interest, then capital will
seek Investment in agriculture and mauuac
turing; employment would then be given to
the thousands that are now suffering ia idle
ness; the material interest Of the whole country
would revive aud prosper, and the country be
saved. SCRlBBLER,
OLD THOUGHTS REVISED. The humbue
coucsrus OF New York and other large cities
derive their support and revenue, 10 by far
majority Of cases, through the county press,
from the readers of It, columns; and this, 10,
with as small an outlay on the part of the prin.
cipals as that which Fagin would require for
business capital, aud with corps Of assistants
less expensive and perhaps more successful
than was Fagins Oliver 10 the matter of
wipes. The Retired Physician, whose sands
OF ll'e have for SO many years been fast ebbing
away, aud the great benetact n of a more recent
origin, who will Insure a fortune t. all man.
klud on receipt OF twenty-five cent stamp,
with hundreds of others as irrepresslbe and as
assuring as the gamns of Paris, alike practice
the same Arts. Their operations are simple
but successful. A box at the Post. Office, an
advertisement sent through the mail to coua-
try publishers, with insrut tious to insert and
render bill quarterly at full rates, c,Dst tutes
the necessary stock 10 trade for business of
this kind, and is usually all that is possessed.
In fer too many cases the bait, though stale and
10 2sI ritb L, a.
prlUt"r, the advertisement Is 10 due time pub
lished in his columns, and thus the sanction of
the press is given to the basest swindles. Here.
by readers are irauduleLty deceived, and the
lever that should move the world is prostituted
to the lowest and vilest of purposes while, it is
needless to say, the publishers quarterly bills,
although rendered witt the utmost puuctuai.
ty, are never heard from more Hence it is
we reason logically enough that the press
encourages this class of Jeremy bidders in
two ways, first by publishing their adver-
tlsements at all, aud second by publish
ing when there is 10 prospect of any qud pro
quo. 1t is In fact merely throwing open their
columns gratis to this class of imposters when
honest men are obliged to pay full round prices
The advertising columns of newspaper are as
much Stock-in trade to the publisher as are his
wares and bales to the merchant, and the for
mer should be disposed Of only upon the same
principles that regulate the later. As the
merchant would not forward q bale of cotton
upon an order from au unknown person with
out satisfactory guarantees of payment, no
more should the publisher heed a similar order
for space in his paper, the more especially as
the matter itself which is to occupy this space
Is, IN large majority Of cases, indicative to a
reflective mind OF the basest Infection
The conclusion tt be drawn from these facts
then is clear and convincing In accepting or.
ders of this GLASS; newspaper not only iujures
itself but it Injuries the public as we'll and prof.
ters means of support to herd of unprinci-
pied and knavish tricksters. who, but for such
assistance, would not outlive an ordinary mush-
room. There is but one remedy for the evil,
and that is never to trust an unknown party or
accept his order without satistact Try guarau.
tees Of payment
A WASHINGTON DEBUTANTE Mr.. John L
Ovens appeared at the National Theatre, Wash
iogton, 90 Mooday evening, as John Unit, in