The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1891-06-16
REPLY TO A~LL1ANcEMAN.
MooREsv1L1E, N. O., April 8, 81.

MIR, All u OA0 30
we're criticism of An AHtGncen1dn ~
your last, I hardly dare to write again,
but would like to say to him that, ia
these days, every freeman has e right
to an opinion of his own, and also OF
free speech, and, if he intends to rule
every man out of the Alliance who
does not believe in the free coinage of
silver and the Sub-Treasury plan, 1
fear the organization would lose a good
many valuable members.
[ do not think any party or frater-
nifty can be permanently successful in
this country when the right to express
their individual opinions is denied its
members.
Is it not possible that things have
occurred since the Ocala convention
or NAV happen before the next election
to change the minds of many who
were then in favor of these two
measures?
There was a very large amount OF
cotton held back last fall, to keep up
the price, but it is evident the spinners
are aware of the amount raised as well
as the probable amount which will be
required for use, and, knowing it will
come on to the market some time be-
fore the next crop comes IL, n are
taking advantage of the situation and
will be the gamers by it, instead OF the
~-oI,oo-1 O. NO non cnn ~ JUOJ1I6
have been of no benefit, if the govern
ment had taken the cotton it would
have been the same, as, unless there
should be nearly a total failure of the
next crop, the cotton will have to be
sold for less than it would have brought
when it was ginned. Again, when we
see the great increase of the cotton
product Of India, a country of five
times the population of the whole
United States, and twice or three times
as much available cotton land, we
may think it hopeless to expect to
make any great permanent increase in
the price of cotton.
But I think the Gland mortgage"
will give the farmer all the benefit of
both the other measures, although / be-
lieve it is not officially included in the
Alliance platform.
Let the United States Government
print and issue to the treasurer of the
several States an amount of money
equal to S., $40 or $50 for each inhabi-
tant of such State, but not to be issued
as money without the seal of such State
treasurer. Then let any American citi-
zen, who can read and write the Eng
lish language, and who owns, say,
one OF two hundred acres of land, |
make application in due form to the
county commissioners or to the officials
of any county, parish, town or city (as
the different States may be divided)
who shall examine and certify, under
oath, the true money value of such
land. Then let this paper be forwarded
to the sheriff or other officer whose
duty it is to collect the taxes in such
county, etc., who shall examine and
certify to the validity of the title of
the applicant to the land in question
(and also whether applicant has ever
been convicted of any crime, if he is a
native of the State, etc. Then let this
paper be forwarded to the State treas
urer, who shall, if the application and
mortgage are properly executed, issue
an amount of this money not to ex-
coed one-half the value of the land, as
fixed by the assessors, these mort
cages to bear, say, .0365 per cent. in
terest, or one cent. per day on each
800, this money to be full legal-tender
for all purposes, and if any mortgage
is redeemed, let the money paid to re
deem it be cancelled and destroyed. |
Let the States be held responsible for
the trustworthiness of their treasurer,
and the counties for any defalcation of
their sheriff or other officer through
whose hands the money passes, and
also for any collision or attempt to de-
fraud, on the part of the appraisers.
The first two officers are always men
capable of giving heavy bonds, and,
making the county in a measure re-
sponsible, would be an incentive to the
taxpayers to put none but honest men
in that position. If the land is already
under mortgage, let the money be ap-
piled to raise that and the balance paid
to the applicant.
The U. S. Government is already a
large land owner and dealer, and this
might be done through the same
agency, but I think the local officers
could do it and give more Justice and