Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1889-06-27
WHAT THE WRONG is.
"AnOther Sister" Puts In II Word for Fis
cal Reform AS the Greatest Need.


ton" and "A Patrons Answer" by ''rhe
Other Brother" and almost consider |
have received Il challenge to say some
thing on the question, and considering the
grange the common or primary school
for farmers and their wives and children.
and considering also, that no two persons
look at the same question from the same
standpoint. have concluded to again
beg little space in the grange column
and the forbearance of the grange editor.
If | comprehend "'rhe Other Brother
correctly he appears to think that the
first great battle to be fought is over the
rum question, after which he would fight
for universal suffrage" based on intelli-
gence, and he makes these two great and.
| admit, important questions, the basis
upon which we must commence to build
the noble structure of good government
that we all hope to see and are earnestly
praying for Who ever heard of a hap
ply, contented, prosperous young man
taking to drink? but who wonders that
the man with wife and children dearer to
him than life to support on one dollar or
one dollar and fifty cents per day feels
the need of a stimulant which will, If
only for time, make his lot in life look
a little more hopeful? | freely confess
that this course renders his lot still hard
err, and if persisted in will render him en-
tirely untitled to perform the amount of
labor that he would without it.
"rhe Other Brother admits that
wealth is the great civlizer; if so, then
let us make laws that shall distribute it
where it is most needed, instead of pill
ing it up in such vast quantities that the
whole country is agitated over the ques
ton of building vaults to store it in. Let
us make laws to protect the weak awhile.
The rich and strong are abundantly able
to take care of themselves. Now | do
not doubt s',The Other Brother will read
lily admit that the people pay all the bills
that are incurred by our servants or
agents, whom we send to Washington to
look after our interests, and that they
persistently look after their own interests
instead of ours.
TO rectify the wrong, which | think
"The Other Brother must concede Is in
our laws, let us first of all hold our pub
lie officers to strict accountability for
the great confidence which we q am writ
ing as though could vote) repose in
their integrity and honesty to their con-
stituencies or those who placed them in
responsible positions. | have just been
reading some resolutions in a western
paper called ''The Leader which appear
in striking contrast with the feeling eX-
hibited in the oranges in Cheshire Coun-
ty in regard to progressive ideas in legis-
lation which will copy for the benefit
of ''The Other Brother and all others
interested in the question of "What the
Wrong is" A system of laws suggested
by a special committee of the Kansas
State Grange, copied from ''The Leader"
Topeka, Kan, the prohibition organ of
the West:
AT the recent meeting of the Kansas State
Grange, a committee on ''needed legislation"
was appointed, and it has just issued. in cir
crlar form, its report in which a monetary
system is submitted for the consideration of
the people. With pleasure we give large
part of this report to our readers and respect
fully urge them to give us for publication in
The Leader short and thoughtful articles on
any one of the thirteen suggestive PROPOSE
tions.
1. That we are in favor of all our money be-
ing issued directly by the general government
and put into circulation through system of
public improvements-nati state, county,
and municipal.
two cent copper pennies and five cent nickels)
should be made of the very best quality of
silk paper, properly engraved and stamped,
and from such denominations from ten cents
upward as the demands of business may re-
quire.
g. That the volume of our money should be
equal to $50 per capita of our population, and
should be distributed among the different
states and localities in proportion to their pop
ulation.
4. That in the issue of money by the United
States, 20 per cent. shall be retained and paid
out by the general government as national
improvement fund. % per cent. by each state
us a state improvement fund.- % per cent. by
each county as a county improvement fund;
and the balance go to the municipalities of
each county as municipal improvement fund.
3. That the money thus distributed to the
different public Improvement funds should be
paid out only for labor performed and mate
rial furnished, under such rules and regula-
lions as the public authorities having the same
in charge should prescribe.
6. That in case any state or any of the cOlln-
ties or municipalities therein should fail for a
period of one year to use out at least 80 per
cent. of the improvement fund in their possess
sion or placed to their credit. the uneXpended
balance shall be forfeited. and go back into
the United States treasury to be again distrib-
uted us in the original issue.
I. That the per capita allowance of money
should be fixed by constitutional provision
and never varied by congress unless from
military necessity, and any person, firm or
corporation who should ever quote the money
of the United States below par should be Sc
verely punished by fine or prisonment in the
same manner as for counterfeiting.
s. That upon the first issue of money and
before any distribution to the several states
the outstanding money of the United States in
gold silver, or other legal form should be re-
deemed dollar for dollar by the new ISSUE
reasonable notice to holders being given to
that effect.
8. That once in ten years the old issue
should al be called in, and the people receive
the benefit of any money lost or destroyed
during this period. and Il new issue made con-
forming the same to our increasing population
shown by the official census.
10. That there should be national usurv
law of the strictest character precIuding the
loan of money by any person, firm, or corpor-
alton in excess of per cent. per annum in
any part of the United States.
II. That our national constitution should
be so amended as to abolish the issue of any
bonds by the government, and prevent any
state from issuing or authorizing the issue of
any bonds or other interest bearing obiga-
tons, or passing any law for the collection of
debt, except for personal service or public
reveltl"