The Russellville Democrat., 1891-08-27

tTacGS rom the 0aZeIIe report Ol III excellent speech delivered at Gurdon on the 18th inst, by Col. Wm. M. Fishback:
 RAILROAD OWNERSHIP.
 "The United States proposed a few years ago to build Pacific rail road for the benefit of the people who wished to immigrate to the far West, and those who had already immigrated. It was doubtful ex. ercise of power and leading Demo crats opposed 1t on that account. But it was popular ss it was ostensi bly for the benefit of the people, as all such schemes are. Before the road was built few influential men went in with Congressman and rob bed the government of about thirty millions through the celebrated "Credlt Mobilier." A few years ago the United States senate appointed commission to investigate the affairs of this road and they reported that it had robbed the people of upwards of one hundred and forty millions of money, and divided it between four men," That not a man along the road dared do business unless with their consent and upon their terms. If two merchants were in business and one dared to do business to suit himself, the road would discriminate against him and break him up. So with farmers and stock raisers, who shipped anything over the road.
 The few were favored and the many suffere6
 BORROWING MONEY ON REAL ESTATE.
 "We once concocted scheme in Arkansas to get money for the peo- pie. They had lands in plenty, but no money with which to improve them. We issued State bonds and borrowed money upon them and then loaned the money to the people upon their lands. Less than five hundred rich and influential men got the en tire benefit of this scheme, and to- day, more than fifty years afterward, the grandchildren of the people who authorized that scheme, but who re- ceived not farthing for it's benefits, are paying taxes year after year to meet the debt incurred by their fol | ly. Prudent men who foresaw the consequences of this departure from democratic usage, admonished the people of the result but they would not listen to advice. Every man thought there was chance for him to get some money, which he sorely needed. As usual, he didn't get money but "got left" and his grand children have not yet finished pay ing for that experience.
 THE sUB-TRKAsURY.
 He then took up the Sub. Treasury and showed how it would work for the benefit of the rich alone. He said he had no doubt that this scheme was matched in Wall street for it would yield that street untold millions. It would corner, not the cotton market, but the money mar ket every year. Granting that the shoemakers, tailors, blacksmiths, stockraisers, merchants and all other people would vote to tax themselves for the benefit of part of one class, what prudent man would ever put his cotton in 8 public warehouse, or what prudent insurance company would insure it unless at ruinons rate2 He instanced cases right af- ter the war where government agents received government cotton in ware. houses, sold the cotton and burned the buildings to square accounts. This was reported to have been done all through the South and could eas- fly be done again.
 He showed how it would render gambling in futures much more easy and certain than now.
 A TRUE PICTURE.
 He pictured an agent having con trol of a warehouse. A burly negro, who votes the straight ticket which keeps the agent in office, comes up with trashy cotton worth cents. The agent prices it at 10 cents. A respectable, honorable democrat comes right after him. He has nice, clean cotton. The agent finds a good many faults and prices it at $ cents. This is similar to what IS being done at our navy yards and wherever public buildings are going up all oyer the United States. Do reformers expect reform by incress ing the bribery fund with which to debauch the ballot2
 THIRD PARTY.
 Another remedy proposed was through third party. Why third party?
 He showed that the democratic party is already in the field organlz' ed and equipped; and that the last presidential election showed that 1t has a million more white voters than the republican party; that the re. publican party is the author Of all the evils of which we complain; that | GA