Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1893-08-18

" lOuS DC We are VIKING W COutRfuc our
Ittempt to accomplish the result single
handed.
INFERIOR AND SUPERIOR MONEY.
The knowledge in business circles
lmong our people that our government |
,annot make it's fiat equivalent to in
rinsic value, nor keep inferior money on |
. parity with superior money by its own
efforts, has resulted in such |
a lack of confidence at home, in the |
of currency values, that capital
refuses it's aid to new enterprises, while |
millions are actually withdrawn from
the channels of trade and commerce to
become idle and unproductive in the
hands OF timid owners. Foreign inves
tors are equally alert. They not only
decline to purchase American securities,
but haste to sacrifice those which they
already have. 1t does not meet the stu
alton to say that the apprehension in re-
gard to the future OF our finances is
and that there is no reason
for lack of confidence in the purposes or
power Of the government in the prem
Uses. The very existence of this appre-
hension and lack of confidence, however,
has caused menace which ought not for
the moment to be disregarded
THE LABoRINa PEOPLE AFFECTED.
One of the greatest statesmen our
country has known, speaking more than
fifty years ago, when arrangement of the
currency had caused commercial dis
tress, said: "The very men of all others
who has the deepest interest in a sound
currency and who suffers by mischievous
legislation in monetary matters is the
man who earns his daily bread by his
daily toll" These words are az pertinent
now as on the day they were uttered,
and ought to impressively remind us
that a failure in the discharge of our duty
at this time must especially injure those
of our countrymen who labor, and who,
because of their number and condition,
are entitled to the most watchful care of
their government. 1t is of the most i'm
portance that such relief as congress can
afford in the existing situation be
afforded at once. The maxim, HE
gives twice who gives willingly" is di
rec,ly applicable.
TOO MUCH SILVER.
Possibly if the undertaking we have in
hand were the maintenance of specific
known quantity of silver at parity with
gold, our ability to do 80 might be esti-
mated and gagged, and perhaps in view
of our unparalleled growth and resources,
might be favorably passed upon; but
when our avowed endeavor is to main.
tain such parity in regard to an amount
OF silver increasing at the rate of $50 :
10000 yearly, with no fixed termination
to such an increase, it can hardly be said
that problem is presented whose solu-
ton is free from doubt.
SOUND STABLE CURRENCY WANTED.
The people of the United States are en-
titled to sound stable currency and to a
money recognized on every change and
in every market of the world. Their
government has no right to injure them
by financial experiments opposed to the
policy and practice of other civilized
states, nor is it justified in permitting an
exaggerated and unreas enable reliance
on our national strength and ability to
jeopardize the soundness of the people,
money. This matter rises above the
plane of party politics. 1t vitality con-
Germs every business and calling and en-
tiers every household in the land. There
is one important aspect of the subject
which especially should never be over
looked. At time like the present when
the evils of unsound finance threaten us,
the speculator may anticipate the harvest
gathered from the rnisfortunes of others
the capitalist may protect himself by
boarding or may even find profit in the
tluctuation of values, but the wage Garner
is the first to pe injured by deprecated
currency and the last to receive benefits
of its correction. He is practically de-
fenseless. He relies for work upon the
ventures OF confident and contented cap
ital. This failing him, his condition is
without alienation, for he can neither
prey on the misfortunes of others nor
hoard his labor.
THE PEOPLE DEMAND REPEAL.
| 1t may be true that the embarrass-
ments from which the business OF the
country is suffering arise as much from
evils apprehended as from those actually
existing We may hope, too, that calm
counsels will prevail and that neither
capitalists nor wage earners will give way
to an unreasonable panic and sacrifice
their property or their interests under
the influence OF exaggerated fears. New
ertheless, every days delay in removing
one of the plain and principal causes Of
the present state of things enlarges the
mischief already done and increases the
responsibility OF the government for its
existence. Whatever else the people
have right to expect from congress
they may certainly demand that legisla.
ton condemned by the ordeal of three
years disastrous experience shall be re
moved from the statute books so soon az
their representatives can legitimately
deal with it.
TARIFF REFORM ONLY SECONDARY.
1t was my purpose to summon con-
gress in special session early in the com.
| ing September that we might enter
promptly upon the work of tariff reform
which the true interests of the country
clearly demand; which so large a major.
ity OF our people, as shown by their sui.
frages, desire and expect, and to the ac-
complishment OF which every effort Of
the present administration is pledged
But while tariff reform has lost nothing
of its immediate and permanent iinpor-
lance and must in the near future engage
the attention of congress, it has seemed
to me that the financial condition of the
country should at once and before al
other subjects be considered by your
honorable body. l earnestly recommend
the prompt repeal of the act passed july
IA, 1890 authorizing the purchase OF sill
yer bullion, and that other Legislative
action may put beyond all doubt or mis-
take the intention and ability OF the gov
eminent TO fulfill its pecuniary obliga
| tons in money universally recognized b,