The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-07-16
MIR uAsxrNs HoBsoN AT HANOVER
CoURTHOUsE.

| Wa believe In the principis VI ti'"s W
.,v aid. a full hearing. since 1t IL by dis
or..Ion that truth is arrived at, and we
.bersfors gave full and fair report OF the
Third party speech made by Mr.. Haskins
| uohson at Hanover Courthouse on Thurs
d.rl last We shall this morning make
calm and candid review Of what he said.
Mr.. Hobson said that AL are bitterly OPP
nressed. and the farmers are selling their
products far below cost"
n Mr.. Hobson means that the protective
tariff oppresses US oil The TINES agrees
with him perfectly But if he means that
there is any other legislation whatever that
oppresses the people THE TIMES is wholly at
loss TO know what legislation he refers to.
The want of law providing for the free
coinage of silver was no doubt in Mr.. Hob
sons mind. but that is not case of existing
legislation that Expresses. but of want OF
legislation that he thinks would benefit.
so far as the protective tariff legislation Is
concerned The TINES and Mr. Hobson are
In perfect accord, and The TINES will 90 as
far as he will in seeking TO have it repealed
But we appeal to Mr.. Hobson and every one
else TO say. Is it necessary to break up the
Democratic party and have new party 10
repeal the tariff laws? The Democratic
! marty is ss earnest as any new party couid
be in its determination to repeal the tarif
laws. Why not fight for their repeal IN It's
ranks?
Mr.. Hobson thinks the farmers are sell
ing their products far below cost" but does
be really believe that it is within the power
Of legislation to increase the price Of what
they produce? That price depends upon
the law Of supply and demand. II there is
a greater quantity OF the product than the
world wants. the price will be low. If the
supply is limited. the price will be high.
The true cause of the depression of which
Mr.. Hobson complains is this: LIST, the great
body of the lands in this part of Virginia
| is poor and produces very little TO the
acre. and 3D. the elaborate systems OF
competing railroads to the Western prairies
which the past twenty-five years have devel-
oped. have brought the prodgious products
I Of those fertile lands into competition with
what we raise and the result of one mans
| labor here is so far inferior to the result OF
| one mans labor there that the Virginlan Is
unable to compete with the Western man.
| Mr. Hobson will find it impossible to cor
rect this inequality of nature by any statute
law which a new party could pass.
Mr.. Hobson said that the little banner
| State of Massachusetts" has increased with
in time not named by him S12 900. 900
more in wealth than nine large Southern
States ffty-two times larger than she. This
may be 80. though we know nothing Of the
fact But what is the increase due to? Mr..
Hobson ought to know that it is the result
of protected manufactures, and The TIMES
will join Mr.. Hobson most heartily in re-
pealing the protective tariff laws so that
Massachusetts manufacturers will have TO
cease levying tribute on the rest of us.
Mr.. Hobson quoted the following plank
from the Alliance platform:
We demand a national currency, safe,
sound and flexible. issued by the General
Government only. a full legal tender for all
debts. public and private and that without
the use of banking corporations, q just,
equitable and efficient means OF distrlbu-
ton direct 10 the people. at a tax not to
exceed 2 per cent, be provided as set forth
in the sub-treasury plan OF the Farmers
Alliance or some better system. also by pay
ments in discharge Of its obligations for
public improvements.
We shall not deny that il might be wise
for the Government to issue a national cur
rercy TO be full legal tender for all debts
if it could be made safe and sound" but
there is the point at which the trouble
would come in. 1t could easily be made
flexible enough. but we greatly fear the
other elements OF "safeness and soundness'
would disappear as the fexibilty developed.
We would like little more definite in
formation also upon the point what is to be
considered "a Just. equitable and efficient
means Of distribution direct to the people!"
There IS here, perhaps, the bare suggestion
Of plan to give man something for MOTH
ing, school of finance with which we are
totally at war. Indeed the platform itself
does not seem to be entirely satisfied with
the plans for distribution" which have
been submitted as it declares In favor OF
that set forth in the sub-treasury plan Of
the Farmers Alliance or some better SYSTEM"
the better system being perhaps improve
nents in the direction Of not even requiring
farm products as security. but contenting
the Government with the debtors l. 0. L.
We have desired to treat Mr.. Hobson's ar
gument seriously. but it is difficult to dis
cuss such propositions as these with him.
Finally, why does not Mr.. Hobson contend
for the reforms he is seeking within the
ranks of the Democratic party? He knows
perfectly well there IS no more chance of
electing Weaver President than there is of
drinking up the sea. Whenever he takes
a vote away from Cleveland he is adding to
the chance of Hsrrison's election. which
means to us the Force bill and all its rami
fcation of evils. Are our Virginia farmers
ready for the disastrous revolution of our
political and social system?
MARTIAL LAW AT HOMESTEAD.
The first announcements made 10 the