People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-03-31
THE END DRAWS NEAR.

Where thirty Years OF tenal ana heck'
less Legislation Leaves the Country.
In the business as in the material
world all things have their orbit, and
all efforts have their periods of reckon
ing by certain standards Of calculations.
Every successful business man, every
substantial institution and every pros
porous venture has its annual, semi
annual or quarterly balance sheet by
which its future course is guided. This
is not a mere statement of dollars and
cents, but full analysis of all the
prospective contingencies which may
wait upon further action. Cold blooded
calculation resting upon past experience
and the most conservative prospects Of
the future, instead Of theories and specu-
lation, are their ruling characteristics.
In this manner the day of accounting is
anticipated with no fear of the result.
On the other hand, haphazard bust
ness, with no continuity Of purpose,
reaching out here and there at the ca
price or personal advantage of each or
either of the parties interested regard
less Of the aggregate benefit, is always
in state of expectation, ignorant alike
of its power or danger and continually
suspicious Of its own status. As with
individuals, so with nations, save only
the elements of care and prudence are
rapidly becoming the exception and not
the rule. In regard to the financial af-
fairs Of the United States the day for
squaring accounts is near at hand.
False bookkeeping can no longer con-
ceal the results of ignorant and vicious
business methods, and the bald fact
that the people have been cheated, be-
trayed and bankrupted stands out plain
and distinct.
During the past thirty years those in
charge of the government have per-
mitted its business to run riot. Debts
have been incurred by the millions
without knowing or caring who would
pay them. Contracts and obligations
have been entered into without even a
! policy for fulfllment. The energies of
the people have been mortgaged for
generations without their knowledge or
consent, the income Of the nation has
been pawned beyond its value, and the
entire economic fabric honeycombed
with fraud and corruption. When con-
cealment is no longer possible the cur
tain has been removed, and the rotten
carcass Of the body polite is seen in all
its hideous deformity.
And now after years of tribute, after
more than generation of plundering,
the people find themselves burdened
with debt and struggling with low
prices. The turn has been called, and
the books are opened for inspection, and
what a spectaclel Through fraud and
political scheming the annual pension
list has swollen to nearly $500, OOO, 900.
By similar methods every branch Of
government has increased its expendi.
lures until the annual tribute amounts
to over $500, 900, 900, or eight dollars per
capita. Bonds already due have been
extended, and in order to meet this OK.
travagance and sccruing interest fur,
Their issue Of bonds Is contemplated.
The treasury has been looted of legiti.
mate deposits, and funds heretofore con.
sidered sacred have been squandered.
In addition to this nearly $lOO, ZOO, OOC
Of bonds guaranteed by the government,
and lent to the Pacific railroad com.
panies will begin to fall due during the
coming year. Designing and dishones,
men in official positions have prostituted
their authority and opportunities fol
gain until the executive, Legislative and
judicial branches Of government have
become combination to rob and plum
der labor in production.
The affairs Of the nation have beer
conducted In absolute disregard fol
plain business principles, and hence thu
present unsatisfactory condition, with
its prospective disasters. The cryinl
need Of the hour is for honest men-mer
who will administer the affairs Of th,
nation as they would their own. Thii
can never be attained except through
the complete destruction of the two ole
parties which haveperpetrated the wrong
and brought about this threatening stu
alton. National Waterman.