The Helena independent., 1890-03-11
THE LAND AS THE BASIS.
Senator Stanford Advocates a Novel
Scheme as a Help to the
Farmers.
He Wants the Government to Loan
Money on the Land Without
Interest.
The Question Of the Tariff on Hops-Con.
sidering Windows silver BiIl-The
Worlds Fair Bin.

WASHINGTON. March Ex-senator Stan
ford, in presenting his resolution 10 the
senate to-day relating to government loans
on real estate. said; From the earliest
civilization there has existed in all coun-
tries the need of some commodity that will
stand as the representative of values,
through which exchanges can be made with
out the commodities themselves being
passed from hand TO hand. In the process
Of time gold and silver came into use for
this purpose of equalizing exchange. and to-
day, when stamped by responsible govern
ments, these metals have value as money
far beyond any possible value they might
have were they only used in tho arts. Money
becomes valuable as il stimulates industry
and facilitates the exchange of the produc-
tions of mems labor.
"a government bond is valuable TO the
holder on account of the inte est il earns.
As an energetic factor in the transactions
OF men, II only amounts TO the per
centage which il draws, but when The bond
holders, by deposlting 1t with the govern
ment. receive back 10 per cent in gov
ernment bills, % per cent of its value
becomes onerglzed into nm active COM
modify, giving employment TO the energies
of the country. In like manner, IL farmers
were able 10 borrow from the government
without interest. certain amount of lis
bills, giving his farm as security therefor,
TO that extent his land would become an
active force and he would be enabled while
giving employment TO the extent of the
money loaned him. TO improve his farm and
increase It's value TO the full aIsount of the
loan. Thus the government loan would
be doing double duty. Now. the
I activity uf tins money does not
terminate with its expenditure by the far
mer. those who have received il in their
turn will make use of il as an energizing
factor i'll the forces Of life TO an indefinite
period. As money employs labor. il brings
to life the continuing force OF labor, beget-
ting labor as certainly as its fruits are val
liable. Another way by which we can mp
preciate what money, actively used, may
perform in the settlement Of balances. is 10
be found IN the value Of commodities pro-
duced and exchanged compared with the
amount vi money IN circulation.
How far the boundless resources Of our
country shall be put into activity depends
not only upon the active industry of our
people, but upon the power necessary o pro-
duce that industry, and IL should be the fos-
iering care Of The government 10 see that
1
abundant supply of money. which means TO
individuals a field for the use of their abili-
ties in prosecuting their various callings of
| life, and will be particularly valuable TO rs
sociations of individuals by affording them
facilities for obtaining capital for the
transaction Of every kind OF busi.
ness. An abundance of money means
universal activity, bringing III its train MI
the blessings that belong 10 the constantly
employed. industrious and intelligent peo-
pie. II these proposed loans could be made
by the government without risk do not
think they would be any serious obstacle in
the way of the accomplishment of the OBJ
ject of this resolution. In my opinion am
pie protection would be afforded the Qov-
eminent II II limited its loan TO one-half or
one-quarter of the assessed value OF the
property given as security, and upon
the apprnisement of government officers
especially selected for tnat duty.
II seems to me the great thought of hu-
manlty should be how 10 advantage the
great multitude of toilers, increase their
power of production and elevate their con
ditlon. We know great improvement is
within the provisions of providence, and in
the prosperity Of the masses of the people
the prosperity Of all is assured. Man is the
righiful heir TO peace and prosperity, and
very much depends on the intelligence Of
governments TO represent the associated
capacities and interests of the whole. TO
me one of the most effective means of plac-
ing AT mans disposal the force inherent in
the value of property is thoroughly fur-
nishing bountiful supply Of money. based
upon unquestioned and secure values"