Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1891-01-21

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 will not hold good, when mere
dollars and cents are considered, but is
absolutely true as regards the amounts
of the products of labor that it 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 it would have taken, in
1885, 1, Oo7, 900, 600 bushels:
We have paid on the principal. Il. 1856 4eo, 900
AS interest ................. .1,slS, 600
AS premium on bonds. 62,770,O00
Total paid. ,662 SOS, 900
We yet owe. ,o6e, ,369, ,064
Had the debt been contracted to be
paid in cotton it would have taken, In
1857, 1902, 600, 600 pounds.
We have paid on the principal. IL, on, ,ess 900
as interest 81. .407 ,26O,0 900
As premium on bonds. 565 ,0O0, 600
Total paid 81 ,o49, ,94B 900
We yet owe. II, ,f52, BIG, 900
When it is remembered that all pri-
vate Indebtedness has gone through the
same process; that 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 economical
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 1855, 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 it
remain idle. Each allowed his invest
ment to remain unchanged until the
present time, when the matter would
be as follows:
1885,
Mr. A, cash. h......................... n 600
Mr.. B, wheat, bushels. 500
1880.
Mr.. A, with his 1000, can buy, at 90
cents per bushel, bushels ........ lese
Mr.. B., with 500 bushels Of wheat, can
purchase only y.--...-....-.....--.... $300
These two statements present a sub
ject for consideration well worthy the
attention of every American citizen OF
whatever occupation or profession.
Herein lies exposed the canker that
has eaten out the vitals Of national
prosperity, and left to the people
nothing but the shell of disappointment
and discouragement. II idle money can
increase 50 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
Something must be done to even up the
conditions between those who can com
mand the use Of money and those who
can not. From this power to levy trib
ute comes nearly all the differences
seen In society at the present time. II
is this this that Is widening and deep
ening the gulf between Dives and
| Lazarus, and fills the land with tramps
on the one hand and millionaires on the
other. It is this that puts the mortgage
upon the farm in the North and West
and the plantations in the South 1t ID
this that all Scripture has condemned
and all just men deplored. 1t is this
that organized labor should seek to de-
| stroy. In conclusion, let me ask, have
not the people suffered long enoughi
Does not the continued distress through
out the length and breadth Of the Ma
tion call loudly for q change of condi-
tions? Is it not time to apply the
remedy If so, let us one and all work
and vote for more money and less tax
ation.-N. A. Dunning, in National
Economist.