Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1891-09-30


ter than no plan ut all. 4"
These are the views of level headed
farmer, and we have no question but
they will become general SO soon as
the farmers are fully informed as to
the manifest practica bility and univer-
sal advantages of the plan of which. we
give the subjoined general explana-
ton.
The money question now has first
place in the political thought of the
producing masses of eur nation. For
some twenty years far-sighted patri-
OTIS, commonly known as "greenback-
ers," have advocated fifty dollars per
capita government paper money In
circulation. They have opposed ma
tional banks as being in the nature of
special privileges which are entirely
out of harmony with our democratic
theory of government and they have
also relentlessly battled against the
gold standard, that inevitably leads to
a contraction of the currency which al
ways serves the interests of the capital
lists at the expense of those of the
toiler.
The general propositions which the
greenbacker contended for are just in
principle, sound In politico-economics,
and II put into practice would bring a
universal blessing to our whole people.
How comes it then, after a score of
years of unseIfish agitation and persist
emit arguing, with right justice and
business common sense so manifestly
on the side of the champions of the
peoples money" that thev have &C
complished absolutely nothing In the
way of righteous reform? The bank
ing guild still has its fangs deep set in
the throat of the peoples prosperity,
and the currency of the country is con-
tracted or expanded according to the
needs of the stock gamblers
and capitalistic sharks, but never
with reference to the general advantage
of the producing masses A few mill
ionaire bankers name the secretary of
the treasury, and dictate his policy in
all emergencies, while the money power
of the leagued corporations, trusts and
banks has been so commanding and all
potential in the national congress that
the people have been unable to secure
even hint of relief through righteous
financial legislation.
This is the exact status of the case
to-day, and it is full time that some
thing was promptly done to change it
for the better.
The new financial system that finally
triumphs must be so full of virtue, JUS
tice and practicability that it will COM
pei the assent of all honest and intelli-
gent citizens on fair and full pre-
of 90 10 lo1r "a
positively impregnable to valid and
logical assaults from the most learned
and astute special pleaders In the pay
Of the money power. It's merits must
be palpable and easy of comprehension
to all persons of average information
and ordinarily good Judgment; and,
finally, like the fructifying sunlight, il
must bring impartial blessing to hon
est citizens of all classes and condi-
lions. The millions of artisans, clerks
and small business men in towns
and cities must see In the re.
formed money system help, hope
and prosperity for themselves, in
dividually and collectively, and
millions Of farmers must also behold in
1t precisely the same promise to them
OF the good things to come. Any plan
of financial reform which does not meet
these requirements is foredoomed to
failure, and will never be wrought into
law by the votes Of a majority Of our
people.
We believe the Hill banking system
will stand all the tests designated This
system provides for 5000 government
banks, with three billion of greenbacks
in circulation, waging no war on gold
and SILVER, but letting those metals take
care Of themselves Loan money on
land and chattels at four per cent per
annum, thus wiping out every private
mortgage in the country In less than
one year. Pay to deposieors three per
cent on their loans, which Is but fair,
for there are hundreds of thousands of
frugal men and women who have saved
up little money under past financial
conditions, and 1t would be a cruel
shame to suddenly and arbitrarily make
them lose it through no fault of their
own.
The Hill banking system kills off all
national and private bankers II
brushes out all mortgage fiends and
loan sharks. 1t keeps all the money in
the country In constant circulation II
stimulates industry in ten thousand
channels and sets all idle men to work.
1t makes the farmers mortgage nc
longer burden, but something easy tc
carry. for the government will be his
kindly creditor; and, moreover, the
Hill banking system does not stand in
the way of any other financial reform,
which may afterwards be found neces-
sary.-FaFmer's Voice.
Since writing the foregoing letter tc
Brother Hubbard, find it necessary t1
modify one of my statements, to-wit
While it is true that in England and
Europe the net annual increase in ma
tional wealth Is but three per cent, OF
even less, find that in the United
States, from 1870 to 1890, the net In
crease has been just about four Del
cent, compounded in 1880 Hence
three per cent interest would abso
only three-fourths, instead of all the
net products of the nations toll.
Blessed, indeed, is he who has such an
earnest, eloquent, enthusiastic advo-
cate as Is Brother Hubbard. and the
Hin banking system is wonderfully re-
inforced b. his Jealous pleading. But
| Brotaer hubbard cannot achieve an
impossibility; he cannot prove that a
wrong is right, or that an evil is a bless.
ing. The power of money to oppress'
Is its Understanding attributes: its
| power to accumulate wealth without
labor. Interest is not properly a part.
attribute or function of money, and
the practice of taking 1t is accursed OF
God and baneful curse TO humanity.
Brother Hubbard cannot cure an evil
by incubation with milGer form, as Is
the practice with smallpox The diff.
ference between three per cent and
seven per cent is simply of degree and
not OF kind. Seven per cent. takes all
that is made and portion of labor's
possessions in the beginning of the
year. Three per cent takes only three