The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-06
MIR. SPRING DISCUSSES DEMO.
CRATIC ECONOMY.

SEATTLE Feb l. 1892.
To III. EDITOR: In view of the strenuous
efforts made by the strongly Democratic branch
OF the Fifty-second congress to economic, and
inasmuch the word economy possesses
strange charm, especially 10 the wage-worker,
Tor all philanthropists, real and sham, con-
nnually telling him that in economy lies his
salvation, IL Is, perhaps, not inopportune to
search Tor the benefits that the resolution of
Mr. Holman, chairman of the appropriation
committee, can possibly give TO the great mass
of our people, the wage-workers.
1t Is well TO bear this cardinal principle in
mind, that no one Can save on nothing. Unless
one gets days work, and gets reasonable pay
for 1t, no matter In what heavenly colors the
economic doctrine of Democracy may be
painted, no possible good can accrue to the work
seeker
The average foreign laborer, on arriving in
this country, is drawn towards Democracy by
Its magnetic cry of economy The European,
especially the continental European, is sur
rounded by such circumstances that he becomes
perforce worshiper of economy. The enor-
nous standing armies that his government
maintains and the extravaganza of the court,
coupled with fe.ss, balls and parades, trains his
mind to continuously think and his tongue to
everlastingl ytalk about economy. To illustrate
/ might cite q simple habit that will serve to
prove my assertion. In this country when two
wage-workers meet each other they will invaria-
bly, ask: "Are you working?" or "Are you doing
anything" In Europe when they meet they as
invariably ask each other: "Have you paid
your taxes this QuarterW or "Are you saving
anything2"
The cry of economy in Europe is just, and
well applicable. The cost Of Jorge standing
armies there maintained falls two-fold heavily
on the working masses. First, there are so
many men withdrawn from production, and
second to satisfy those armies, food and, to an ex
tent, raiment, must be bought from other coun-
tries--very often from America for none of the
principal European countries, with the excep-
ton OF Russia can raise sufficient breadstuff 10
feed themselves Thus fully one-half of the
amount that European government asks OF its
people is sent abroad. Hardly any of the money
collected goes back to the pockets of the people
A European government gives no employment
to its taxpayers; it employs its soldiers and its
conyicts. l served in the Austrian army in a
garrison where 10000 troops were stationed the
year round, where the government operated a
large gun factory, large tobacco and cigar fac
tory the Austrian government monopolizes the
entire tobacco and cigar industry, aud an army
clothing factory, and was actively engaged in
fortifying the city, building modern forts and
earthworks Yet can state upon oath that not
one civilian was employed In any of these con-
Germs. No wonder that upon arrival in this
country the Democratic cry of economy enlisted
me IN its ranks.
But time has opened my eyes, as hope it win
open those of many others. We are not living
under a monarchy. Our government Is not
spending the money for fetes, parades and
standing armies. The so much talked of billion
dollar congress did not appropriate one dollar to
be expended in a foreign country. Our govern
ment Is not employing its convicts and soldiers
Every dollar expended goes back 10 those that
are paying the taxes. As a wage worker, l ask
Democracy 70 tell me why I should approve
that watchdog" resolution. How can 1 be
benefited by itP And. / submit, the Democratic
party always claims to legislate in favor of the
wage-earner.
What truth is there in the charge of extrava-
ganee on the part OF the Fifty-irst congress? Il
is claimed too much money has been appropri-
ated. Where did the money go? Has il not cir
culated among the people? Are not deserving
men and women, citizens, builders and defend
ers of this country earning it? Can We call the
money expended in improving our rivers and
harbors, the employment given to honest labor
and an impetus given TO commerce, extrava-
gance? Or can the money expended on our navy,
aiming by IL to defend our citizens aud their
commerce in the harbors ana on the high seas of
the globe, be elas,ed as ex;rayagantly expended?
Or, perhaps, will the Democratic party teach Us
TO look upon as extravagant the money appro-
priated TO survey land in this state 20 that cur
poor home-seekers may safely locate?
1t will he, perhaps, argued that the wage
worker IL not the only one who has an interest
government OF free country must take into
consideration the interest of all its citizens
Very true, but argue from the standpoint OF
wage Garner. Nor can | for q moment admit
that the interests of the wsge,worker are not
identical with those OF the banker and uer-
chant
We pride ourselves on being business coun-
try Gu having our laws and legislation con-
Quoted on pureS business principles, Now, let
US see, when does business man econotnize2
Only when the income viii not justify the out
lay; when things are dulI when no sales eau bs
made under any conditions, he thinks 10 good
business policy 20 cut down expenses. Now DO
these circumstances exist Our treasury "a
taking in money faster than il can expend
IT, Why should we eut down appropriations?
There are plenty of men aud women in this
country idle, ready 10 give 10 the government
honest and useful labor for the money
IL 10 boarding IN its treasury.
an aware ] viii DO told the money in
the treasury can be used - buy bonds with.
What does the wsge-worker care whether the
government owes & few million more or less?
livery good citizen taxes pride IN the fact that
this country is paying of her enormous debt
contracted during the civil war faster than any
other country ever did. But 1t certainly
taxes mors than pride 20 iced s
wife ana children. Certainly 8 government
IS not under contract 10 support its citizens. 1t
j. the citizen who must support his government,
bGs the community needing the improvements
aud the national treasury having the money, I
say spend L. Many Democrat reading This 10
undoubtedly anxlous 20 tell me, "But Il we cur
tail our expenses we viii reduce your taxa
ton That is ali veil said. / reply 70 YOU,
MI Democrat. Grst show me what you are going
20 do with the tariff question ard prove - The
satisfaction Of the aching stomach al the urerl-
pioysd that q reduction Of the tariff viii benefit
him and then We can make g satisfactory settle
meRt about economy / know nothing OF the
higher science Of poliucsl economy With al tie
minute calculations, but sm forced 10 the be-
lief by practical common sense that 4 party that
throws thousands of men out OF employment
undsF psetense Of economy, but in fact with
view Of making record, Is 70 longer party for
tie wags-weEksA ABR sPRlNA