The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-09-04
LAND AND MONEY MoNOP-
OLIES. 4
EXTRACT FROM ENAN JONES' ADDRESS

When we consider our vast and rop-
idly increasing tenant population, to-
gether with the mortgaged condition Of
thousands of the best homes in our
country; when we consider that the
ownership Of homes is the great safe
guard of liberty as we'll as the strength,
prosperity and stability Of our nation,
and that it is impossible for people
long to remain free who do not own
their homes, We conclude that there is
no question which demands more
serious consideration than the present
condition Of the lands Of America
Land monopoly is shown by history to
be the bane of the world. When Rome
went down SO per cent Of her people
we're homeless; when Egypt fell l per
cent Of her people owned her lands.
The golden days Of Babylon were
crushed by land monopoly. Land mo-
nopoly, an insufficient volume of money,
by class legislation, has caused the dis
solution Of the greatest and most pow
erful nations of the world therefore, to
establish and maintain strong and
Stable government, the full strength Of
-
the law must be thrown around the
homes OF the people, and the lands
protected against the Entertainments OF
monopoly, both foreign and domestic.
Looking to this end we find upon our
statute books what is known as the
homestead law, and our Legislature at
its last session passed law prohibiting
the alien ownership of lands in Texas;
and. Notwithstanding it is urged by
some that the latter will be detrimental
to the best interest Of the people and
draw at least S50,0OO,0O0 from our
country, and therefore should be re-
pealed, we would insist that such laws
are in keeping with the demands of our
Order, and instead Of being detrimental
to our interests it will save our country
and people an interest alone and 10 per
cent. the sum OF 100000 annually.
which now goes to enrich the money
lords of Europe. The histories Of
other States where land companies
flourish do not warrant the conclusion
that they are in the interest Of the
people, but they speedily lead to bank
ruptcy and ruin. We therefore rec-
ommend that you take such action as
shall be necessary for the maintenance
Of the alien land law, and look with
dislayor upon anything that would lead
to an insecure hold of our people upon
our lands for homestead purposes and
upon the homes that they now enjoy.
1t is a fact we'll established by his
tory that q circulating medium-money
is a very important aud necessary
factor of civilization. In proportion
as the finances are properly adjusted to
the demands and needs of the people
and commerce, do We find nation en-
joyine the highest type Of civilization
and prosperity. Without money civ
ilization could not have had begin
ming; with diminishing supply it
must lauguish, and, unless relieved,
finally perish. In studying the history
Of the nation and familiarizing ourselves
with the conditions that now obtain
We find the money of the nation locked
in the Golfers of the rich, and the pro-
ducs OF the nation below the cost Of
production, the wages of labor below a
living compensation, the commerce Of
our country in stagnant condition,
100000 mortgages covering The homes
Of our people, the continued increase Of
the credit system, all of which leads to
the conclusion that the finances Of our
country are inadequate to meet the
demands of its business. Therefore. il
We would free agriculture and labor
from the death grip of monopoly, re-
suscitate our languishing and almost
paralyzed industries, lift the mortgages
from the homes of our people, dispel
the dark clouds that hang go low and
heavy over the business men Of our
nation, keep the sheriff from the door
Of our working classes and the auction.
GERS hammer from the ear Of our mer.
camille men, we must correct the evils
Of our financial system and so adjust it
to the business interests of our country
that few men cannot produce a fnan-
cial crisis at any time they wish. In
order to secure this necessary reform
we would recommend that you take
such steps as may be necessary for car
rying into effect the demands of onr
national organization ON financial
reformation.