New-York tribune., 1878-01-21
PLAIN QUESTIONS PLAINLY ANSWERkD.

TIE INTEREST or ALL CLAssgs-wHAT BONDS CoSI
NOT THE Observation-Disclosures AND InE
PRODUCERS
TO the Editor. Of The Tribune.
SIR: beg leave. through the medium of
your couluins TO ask n few plain questions concern
ing Of the leading topics II the time The
seems to De period the history Of Nation fraugt
with questions Of great and v interest To- the welfare
OF the American people. The unsettled question Of
sound financial policy which, It must be admitted. Il one
OF the fundamental principles that constitute tho ba's
OF all National prosperity s hangs above this country
IN critical state of uncertainty: the charge and r'
charge Of dishonesty by the parties. who the
hand are dcnoiunatci the supporters OF the National
credit aud on The ohcr. the ropudors have become
cant phrases In the ears OF the reading public
l. What the people demand Is solution Of the matter.
looking to the equity and interest Of all classes.
H. There facts and principles patent even
Ia the ordinary mind that petty. Inscriptions donna
rogte can by any amount sophisca reasoning.
them MP; and affirm that in the light OF the general
Intelligence of this nineteenth century, 10 Is unwise for
any set Of legislators to disregard the voice Of the pco
ple. General Intelligence other things beng equal. Is
iii What dld the Gondholicr. who claims his Just
dollar in gold for each one dollar In bonds th1t
he holds against the Government pay for tc sanrf II
you answer gold. a.k, How mncht II you ahsw.t
erccnback. why in justice not receive the same with
Iy il the silver dollar is remonct,ed. how Will 1t az
feet the yahe Of silver
v II silver 4, not tcmonczrd. and gold "a mnde the
Only money basis. viii not enhance the value o gold
and thus dcfgud the already oppressed debtor cas,
VI Isit just that there should exist IN this Govern
mcn!. IN the form OF United states bonds over Sloou
OOO,oCO of un'axahle property thus DESTROYING thr
canasaton nation, and allowing one class of ni-
yiduas to- scot ircc from bel pins to bear TIE burden
OF the expenses OF government
VII l. IL not TIE central idea u the Resumption Act
to from the already poorly paid producing class and
SVni it's sail that TO ply the National debt In other
than gold currency f. 10 break ith. Ia avoid an eN-
press ask, what rign had Congress to make
an express that United states notes. whereof
the greenback Is Living wines should ne ega,'o- M @
cepiion two and then to make subsequent contract
in part abrogang the former h
Cortland, ono. Jan. l. 1873.
H. Isit the interest of all classes 10 rob those who
furnish means for the industry of a majorlty' .
II. The popular verdict is the excuse of all scoun-
drels but they always take care to catch voice OF
the people which has not been well considered.
Mississippi and Minnesota voted for reputation,
but we have faith that the best that was IN these
States has not been expressed in votes If 80, the
voice OF the people il Liable to be the voice OF men
who have little regard for honesty
III. What the boudholders pa'l,when every dollar
paid was stake upon the life of The nation. Is not
question that loyal men AK. They paid what the
market price of bonds was and the market price OF
bonds, unfortunately, depended in part upon the
wrctched lies told by agents Of the Coniederacy at
the North. Men who took tho risk III those dark
days are entitled to profits.
", Whether the value of silver will be affected
at all by such reconciliation as Is proposed Is IN
dispute. We hold that such reconciliation VIII
lower the price Of silver.
V. The oppressed debtor class" includes less
than one-sxth of the American people why should
Gye-sixth, be robbed to benefit one-sixthf
VI Bonds are not taxable because rebellion was
once strong. The men who made ii strong are to be
held responsible for every dollar IN taxes that bond
holders do not pay.
VII. The producing class has not spoken about re-
monetization of silver. Every gambler and specula'
tor every bankrupt and dishonest debtor has
spoken. When the real producers speak we shall
hear something worth hearing.
VIII. Congress has no more right to make silver
legal-tendcr in payment for bonds than 1t has 10
make old hats legal-tender in payment OF private
debts. Between decent men tho mutually-nnder-
stood meaning of the contract rules. Nobody ex-
pected or wanted silver when the bonds were
bought nobody Is entitled to silver now.-Edl