Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1885-02-01

LdDOT ouOulu Ub IIOuuCllVet
John Swinton suggests that all the
idle workingmen band together aud
go to Washington and demand work
or congress. This plan would hardly
be practicable. II congress would or
could give the desired work, the relief
would be but temporary. In order to
support country there must be, not
only work, but the right kind OF work
work that produces something with
which to clothe and feed the people.
If every man upon the face of the
globe were TO turn his attention to
mining, and each should dig out a
bucketful OF pure ingots daily, 1t
would not buy them a living nor en-.
rich tho world in the necessaries Of
life. People would die Of starvation
in q few weeks, when the sup
ply on hand became exhaust
ed. They would stRrve, no
matter how hard they worked,
and they would suffer the same fate In
any other branch Of non-productive in
dustry. 80, 1t ia not work altogether
that is necessary, but work that pro-
duces. 1t ia work between the plow-
handles that feeds the world, after all,
with what nourishment is g often from
the sea. If congress can put men to
work so that their labors will tend In
any way TO promote agriculture, the
remedy for hard times is found. Ii It
is only work of such character as to
give an excuse for paying out money
from the public treasury, 1t may re-
lleYe the men who receive 1t tempOra.
rily, but 1t is only postpOning the day
of wrath by borrowing immunity
from the present. AS a solution Of the
problem Of hard times it ia failure.
1t resembles and amol ants 10 the same,
in effect, as making dog jump up
for a bone-goOd enough for the dog
while the bone lasts, but when gone,
the exercise OF the jumping has not
provided him with another. II the
government builds q railroad, the
chances are that section Of country
will be opened up where the money,
or its equivalent, spent will be again
dug out Of the earth II the govern
ment builds Az iTon.clad, II gives work
and as good wages perhaps, but when
built there is no way the money, on
the food and clothing consumed In Its
construction, can DO made back. OF
course there is no probability that the
idle thousands will go to Washington
and ask for work Ninety per cent. OF
them have not money enough to pass
the frat toll-gate ON their tramp,
much less to ride in railroad car. It
Is not likely that congress would pay
any attention to them II they did, but
those who represent the ooun-
try In the national capital
and who are anxious TO
relieve the sui1eringS Of the idle thou
sands should make such disburse-
ments Of the public treasure rs will
open up avenues TO permanent relief,
ever mindful Of the fact that money
thus taken lie simply drAft upon the
pennies which the nation has put By
for rainy day and which should be
replaced, not necessarily In the treas
uTy, but in the increased general
wealth Of the country, to the end that
people may be enabled TO draw nour-
iahment and self-support from the
generous breast OF mother earth. The
question lie not will hog and hominy
be worth more9" but, will thore be
more of It rsised9 High prices indi-
cate tho Sountry's poverty, as low
prices indica'e prosperity and plenty.
Legislation which enables 4 .ectIdn Of
country to realize Q cents a pound
more on lis beef may BE considered
wise, but Il Is not 10 be compared
% that legIslaiiop which enahlss the