The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-15
UNCLE SAM AS A LENDER.
FLOWER FEARS THAT HE MAY
BECOME A PAwNBROKER

The Congressman Also Foresees
Danger of the Government Playing
Nurse While the Women Work in
the Fields-Dr. McCune Neverthe-
less Still Advocates the sub-Treas-
ury Bill.
WASHINGTON, May 14-Dr. McCune
representing thefarmers' alliance, this morn
ing continued his argument begun yester-
day before the ways and means committee
In favor of the Picker bill to establish sub
treasures for the receipt of agricultural
products He was questioned by members
Of the committee respecting the details and
probable effect of the bill
Mr.. Bayne wished to know il one effect
would not be to encourage overproduction.
DR.. Mcclure replied that it would not, for
just as soon as the farmers calling became
more profitable than others there would he
an influx of men into that business, which
would result in a reaction, aud, finally, the
restoration Of an equilibrium. No fixed
volume Of currency, no matter how great,
would meet the needs of agriculture.
1t wanted an elastic medium. The farmer
sold his crops in the fall when prices were
the lowest, and bought his supplies before
the harvest, when prices were the highest.
The crops were marketed in two or three
months of the year, and this marketing
annually caused great stringency IN
money.
UNCLE SAM AS A PAwNBRoKER.
Mr.. Flower feared that the plan would
lead to banking on live shoats, iron, lead
and silver ore. They were getting along
now in the latter direction at the other end
of the capital. In time we would have
| everything "in hook" In the course of ten
| years the government would be nursing the
| children and the women would be working
in the field. The true remedy for the farm
ers ills was the manufacturers plan. They
should regulate production, raise only
enough produce to meet the peoples wants
and thereby get fair prices,
| DR.. Mcclure proceeded to explain the
process proposed to regulate the issue Of
| produce certificates. He said that the
| necessity for excluding imports of agricul-
tural products was obvious if the quality of
the certificates was to be preserved.
| The certificates would constitute the
soundes5 and best currency in the world.
| Probably not one-half Of the 10000, COO ap-
| preparation asked for to put the new ma
chinery in action would be required, but
the sum should not be absolutely fixed at the
minimum, as In time it would DO necessary
| to extend the system to include all Of the
NO PETITIONS SENT OUT.
In conclusion DR.. MoCune said that the
national alliance had not sent out single
petition, and that those petitions and de-
mands now pouring in upon congress were
the spontaneous offerings of the farmers Of
! the United States who we're convinced that
they know what they wanted and were
going TO have it.
Mr.. Flower said. in a comment upon the
argument, that the farmer would do well TO
/ manage his domestic affairs without gov
eminent interference. The currency system
of the present was wrong. The government
had not managed it properly, and could not
| do so. 1t had taken from the states the
right to issue currency, although it was
| itself no judge of the needs of the people of
the states, and their people were the best
| Judges.
| LIVINGSTON ON HIS METTLE
| Col. Livingston created something of q
| sensation at the hearing by jumping into
| the ways and means committee because he
thought be was not going 20 get all the time
he wanted for his speech. Mr.. Mckinley
suggested after DIR. McCune had consumed
half an hour, mostly in answering ques-
tions put by Mr.. Flower, that DR.. McCune
| take leave TO print the remainder Of his re-
marks, and give Col. Livingston the rest Of
tho hour until IL o'clock, when the
committee must go into the House. Dr.
McCune at once said that be would will
| ingly print the balance of his speech and
| yield to Col. Livingston, but Col. Living
ston Indignantly declined to take a beg
carly half hour. He said ne could not do
! justice TO his great subject in half an hour.
| He intimated that If Mr.. Flower had not
asked so many questions there would have
been time enough for ALL
| Mr.. Mckinley explained that the House
met at II o'clock and that the committee
must therefore adjourn at that hour.
| TO BE HEARD TO-DAY.
Col Livingston said that that was all
right, but that he had new and important
phase of the question to present and wanted
time to do it adequately.
swell. them" said Mr.. Mckinley, "this
hearing will have TO be adjourned until
Friday, because we have promised to hear
| the vinegar men tomorrow morning."
Col. Livingston demonstrated. He could
not wait till Friday, and he did not see why
| the farmers Of the country should wait for
| few vinegar men. AS their representa-
tive he wanted hearing so that he could
| go home. Finally Mr.. Mckinley said he
would be heard tomorrow, and then he let
| DIR. Mcclure finish.
Among the questions asked Dr. Mcclure
by Mr.. Flower was: "Where were you
J bornP
| DIR. McCune did not answer this directly,
but said evasively: II was raised in lii
|