Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-05-31
Present Economic Pmhlsms.


manipulate the currency to the aggrega-
ton OF colossal fortunes, and the bank
ruptcy of the millions we may as vel
know it now as ever. and arise and smite it
hip and thigh, crush and grind it, until it
shall be made to feel that wage-workers
and wealth producers have some rights
that must be respected. 1t took years
of war TO wipe out human slavery in this
country. The result of that war is
worth all it cost. The demand is well
nigh universal for restoration to silver OF
its money use the same as of gold. The
temper of the people is arising at the oP-
position to just and relieving measure.
If millionaires wish peaceful solution
of the problems, let them stand aside
and no longer oppose what is right, for
the people are determined. They pro-
pose to have this matter settled. They
are willing that past accumulatlons shall
remain as they are; vested rights shall
be protected, but il thwaTted in making
apeaceful solution of this financial ques-
tion, there will be demand for a distri-
button of these accumulations. Relief
must come. We zee a peaceful way.
Free coinage of silver is one of the steps.
The agitation upon the subject has al
ready started silver to its proper place.
The price has advanced. The cry is
made that it only means added wealth to
silver barons and rich mine owners. The
cry is snare, mine owners and silver
Darons will be made richer, but the result
does not stop there. The miner has an
added pittance to his wages. The divi-
dends are larger to the stock holders
The great impetus added to the mining
industry exerts it's force upon the pro-
vision man and thus extends all through
business circles. It means SO much add
ed money to the circulating medium of
the country, net money boarded not in
use. Probably in no department of in
dustry could an added amount be placed
that would circulate SO rapidly, and
touch business at SO many points as such
added currency amongst miners. The
annual output Of our mines is not large,
about $50,000,000 of silver. Surprising
the free coinage Of silver should increase
the industry until the GU tput was $780,
100000. This added amount means
more men employed, more men to be
clothed and fed, a heavier market for
the produce Of the farmer, the product
of the looms. 1t means more machinery
used. 1t would take ten years of our
present output of silver to fill up the
present vacuum in our circulating me-
dunn. S5O0,0O0,000 added to the money
of our country would not be one dollar
too much to restore prices to fair basis,
fair for the borrower, and fair for the
lender.
With free coinage of silver, free as
gold, long step will have been taken
toward fair adjustment of our Difficult
ties. 1t will come gradually. A gradual
restoration of prices to a remunerative
point. And here let me say that the de-
traction from the purchasing power OF
an accumulated dollar, is not half so
harmful in It's results to the capitalist,
as an enhancing of it's purchasing power
is to the debtor. In the one case it
means little less produce for the same
money, and no hardship. In the other
it means, lack of comforts, hardship
bankruptcy. So let there be no COM
promise of any kind. Free coinage or
none" is the correct motto. And then
when such result is attained, with all
our usual output, we cannot keep up
with tie necessities Of the country, for
circulating medium to transact its bust
ness. From necessity full legal tender
government notes will have to be issued
direct to the people, as a sort of balance
wheel to keep the circulation at given
amount per capita, to be increased when
gold or silver are scarce; to be retired
when our usual productions are
equal to or greater than the requisite
fixed amount per capita.
The second step for relief is gen
erous service pension. Probably
in no way could the rehef be
mora quickly felt, and just debt of the
government paid, than in granting ser
vice pensions to all the loyal soldiers
now surviving. 1t is objected that the
amount would be enormous, but that
does not alter the business of the debt.
The war was an enormous war, and the
debt created was an enormous debt, and
the services rendered by the soldiers was
an enormous service, and furthermore it
is an enormous relief that is demanded.
Should such service pensions reach the
sum Of s120,OO0,OO0 annually as has been
computed, it would take over four years
to get into circulation an amount in any
way adequate to furnish the relief de-
manded.s
1t is safe to say that such service pen
sion would at once apply to the most
needy places, a great and constantly In
creasing relief. If the powers of con-
gress could be turned to the increase