The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1891-02-27
the issue, as it read in the resolutions Of
the independent party in 80, so will it
read in the platform in '92, sWe are in
favor OF prohibition, state and nation
al" Moral reforms do not die.
!. REpUBLiCAN,s CONyICTIoN

political reform. Full discussion when
tempered with brotherly love is sure to
arrive at the truth.
Any man who is growing mentally
and spiritually mustconstantly bere-ad-
~iusting his opinions as he marches to
higher points OF view. 1t is true that
certain great fundamental truths may
remain essentially the same, but even
these are Illuminated by new light as we
come into increased knowledge.
Judge McGee's theory OF the single tax
as a cure all l do not accept for America.
1t may work in England and her colo
nies-I hope so-but I believe that the
adoption OF the single tax will notremedy
the crying evils which at present are
crushing the prosperity OF the masses OF
our citizens. At the same time I regard
the judge as being very conscientious IN
his efforts to up-build a nobler state OF
society; and therefore his good work
will not be lost.
In my Judgment the cause OF the wide
spread depression have already been
found and the remedies are embodied in
the platform OF the independent peoples
party and there IS no use for Judge
MCGEE or any other nan who believes
in reform to do other than to get right
into the harness and help stop 1T. l
have been waiting for the republican
party to see the sorely needed wants Of
the people and wisely relieve them, but
have come to the conclusion, after due
consideration, that asparties have never
been know to purify themselves the 6. O..
p. will be no exception to the rule.
lean see nothing to either one OF the
two old parties, but piratism and gueril-
lism, politicians f%orrevenue only from the
road supervisor to the president, and it
will take radical measures to bring
prove to these INSCRIPTIONS fellows
that the government is yet in the hands
OF the people.
1t is true the wealth producers OF the
nation have been robbed by gigantic
ring rule. The farming half Of the coun-
try have not increased by five-siXths as
much in wealth in the last twenty years
as have the other half. Imean, that OF
the great increase of the general wealth
the farms and farmers have been getting
but one sixth OF it though producing the
bulk of it. Facts and correct figures are
attainable and why not have them?
Even if it does wound politicalpreiudlce,
for it must do us all great good.
Investigation shows that in 1860 the
farmers owned one-half OF the wealth OF
the country. In 1880 they owned only
o%ne-fourth, by the same source Of inior-
nation, and this allows nothing for the
increased ability OF the cities to eyade
listing property for taxation. From
1860 to 1880 the assessed wealth OF
farms increased but Jour billion dollars,
while the other half OF our people in
creased theirs tw%enty-three billion. The
i census OF 1890 must show a still more
astounding change. We are the richest
nation on earth by probably a hall bill
lion dollars, and there is no good reason
why the originators Of this wealth
should not be in easy circumstance, and
they would be only for eXorbitant trans.
portation rates, lack OF currency for eX.
change, taxes, trusts all combined with
more. Let us have a graduted tax on
excessive holdings, sufficiently high il
the city and country to pre-, ent land be
ing bought for speculation or pernla
nently held for rent. This would Civ.
all the competent an opportunity to la
Dor. secure homes and become better
citizens.
Supply money at cost by amending thu
law which o requires u government
to loan money to bankers on bonds a
! one per cent, so that loans on small
! landed estates-say to the extent OF hal
t their cash value-can can be obtained
at the rate. Supply transportation a
cost by authorizing u government tt
gradually purchase the railways ant
5 manage them in the interest OF the en-
tire people as the postoffices are nov
conducted.
: The government should be authorize,
to construct competing lines when exist
' ing roads refuse to sell at what it would
) cost to build and equip equally goot
? roads. In Hungary the railroads ar,
under government control. Since thu
) adoption OF cheap fares and simple sys
tenn OF tickets on sale like postag
stamps, passenger travel has increased
t more than 100 per cent. If the same rat
: prevailed in the United States, q tickle
from Rapid City to New York would
? only cost Sc and proportional rates 10.
any distance. Freight would be pre-
paid by stamps according to classified
ton and distance. II receipts from con
t signee were desided, they could be hae
at a small additional cost by registering
Z goods sent.
| Our government has as good Alright tt
build and operate a railroad from Rapit
!. City to New York and needed branche!
as it has to print the matter for con
, sumers on the envelopes it sells and thu
compete with the poor printer anc
statloner. 1t can issue the money il
4 -s
prints and secures. as we'll as the ricl
banks it hires to issue it.
It can imprison formers OF trusts who
extort and rob- by unnaturally adyanc
ing prices OF necessities as well as it car
the high way robber who robs the mails
and it a make the rich families pay as
much tax as the poor ones do.
If law or custom allows special favors
to pet men or pet classes, that moment
democratic institutions are slaughtered
Yours for reform, ARCHIE MCCURDY.
Special sale OF ladies fine shoes al
s'The Fair" for next week. Specia
goods at special prices during III spec
ial week.
Il ~~1A