Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-01-15

This table clearly shows that not
withstanding the National debt has
been nearly twice paid in principal and
interest, the portion which yet remains
is larger than the original. This state
ment win not hold good .Thvn nao~o
dollars and cents are considered, but Is
absolutely true as regards the amounts
Of the products of labor that il is neces-
sary to purchase these different sums
Of money. The matter stands about as
follows;
Had the debt been contracted TO be
paid in wheat il would have taken, in
1886, 1, OO7, ,OOO 600 bushels:
Bushels
We have paid on the principal. i,7s6 ielnoo
As Interest. ln-ar3Aau up1
As premium ON bonds. .............. 62,77o,ool
Total paid t,e51, $500
We yet owe. ,s5s as3'osi
Had the debt been contracted 20 he
paid in cotton it would have taken, in
1867, 1,Oo2, 900, 900 pounds.
We have paid on the principal. 1901 $1,000
As interest. %. .t0i 2oloJl
As premium on bonds.........,..- t6lo'o,ol)
Total paid. .t2ois $4,000
y
When IL is remembered that all pri-
vate indebtedness has gone through the
same process: that a mortgage which was
given prior TO 1872, and remains half
unpaid. is larger and more burdensome
than when first given; that the man
who has worked hard and economized
closely during all these years TO pay
one-half or two thirds of his indebted
ness is no better off, and in nearly every
case more in debt than when he first
began. measured by the remuneration
received for his own efforts, is there
any wonder that widespread distress
and discomfort obtains among the
wealth producers of the country?
In order to show that money has be-
come dear and the products Of labor
cheap during the past twenty-five years,
attention is called TO the following
statement Two neighbors had each
81 900 in 1880, which they desired TO in
vest in some kind Of speculation The
one bought wheat and stored it, while
the other locked up his money and let il
remain idle. Each allowed his invest
ment 70 remain unchanged until the
present time. when the matter would
be as follows:
ISL
Mr.. A. cash. SION
Mr.. Il. wheat, bushels. .............-....- 800
issa.
Mr.. A. with his sinoo, can buy. al 60
cents per bushel, bushels. ESQ. .------.- t,663
Mr.. b., with 500 Bushels OF wheat, can
purchase only .-..-... ...--....--. $500
These two statements present a sub
iect for consideration well worthy the
attention Of every American citizen Of
whatever occupation or profession.
Herein lies exposed the canker that
has eaten ont the vitals Of national
and left 10 the people
nothing hut the she'll of disappointment
and discouragement II idle money can
increase so alarmingly in its power
over the products Of labor. what may
not money loaned at ruinous rates Of
interest bring about? Something must
be done to check this monstrous evil.
must be done TO even up the
conditions between those who can COM
mand the use Of money aud those who
can not. From this power to levy trib-
ute comes nearly all the differences
seen in society at the present time 1t
is this this that is widening and deep
ening the gulf between Dives and
Lazarus. and fiiis the land with tramps
on the one hand and millionaires on the
other II Is this that puts the mortgage
upon the farm in the North and West
and the plantations in the South. II Is
this that all Scripture has condemned
and all Just men deplored u Is this
that organized labor should seek 80 de-
strov. In conclusion. let me ask, have
not the people suffered long enough?
Does not the continued distress through
out the length and breadth Of the Ma
ton cali loudly for a change Of condi-
tionsa Is it not time to apply the
remedy? II 50. let rs one and all work
and vote Tor more money and less tax
ation.-N 4. Dunning, IN National
Economist