The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-04-21

Seismometer to measure its effects. The
owners of mines and producers of
bullion have purely selfish interest in
Il the continuance of this policy, as il
makes sure market for their merchan-
disc. Those who are in debt favor II
because it offers a cheaper method OF
extrication. Jack Cade and his follow.
ers are its advocates, because their OBJ
ject is to destroy the existing social Or
der, the fortunes of the plutocrats, and
all established institutions. The
thoughtful, patriotic masses undoubt-
eddy are in favor of bi-metallism, and
the use of silver as money. Practically
they want neither as currency, but pre-
fer paper based upon both.
THE NATIONAL BANKS.
The rapid extinction of the public
debt threatens the existence of the
national banking system, and the re-
demption of bonds has already resulted
in an alarming contraction of the cur
rency. which would have been more
serious in its effects had it not been for
the issue of silver certificates
The consideration either of the con-
tinuance of the national banks with
other substitutes as security for stock
holders, billholders and depositors, or
of some other safe and efficient method
of supplying a circulating medium will
early require consideration by con-
gress. The democratic party stands
pledged to the free coinage of silver
and the removal of the tax on state
banks With remarkable consistency
they nominated and elected n president
uncompromisingly opposed to both
these measures. It is certain, there
fore, that until 1897 neither will be ac-
complished, though the unrestricted
coinage of silver, even at the present
ratio, could hardly offer graver men,
ace to the national credit, honor and
prosperity than the clumsy, illogical
and unscientific method under existing
! law
| WHAT CONFRoNTs THE PARTY IN POWER.
The party in power in congress is
committed to the most positive, uncon-
ditional and unqualified declarations
against protective tariff, as dishonest
| in practice and unconstitutional in
| theory.
1t is bound in honor and good faith
to redeem its pledges and give the coun-
| try fair trial of free trade. or tariff for
revenue only. This was the voice of the
majority. The people are entitled to a
decree upon their verdict. For half a
century the nation has experienced the
results of the policy of protection. Its
enemies allege that our growth in
wealth and population was in spite of
it and not on account of it; that with
| free trade our progress would have been
greater and our burdens diminished.
They may be right. They have the
power to prove that they are. They
can give the generation an object les
son in wages, prices and markets. For
fifty years we have had one side only.
Let us have both. We have had argu-
ments. essays, comparative tables,
| speeches, eulogy and denunciation.
Now let us have facts. The barriers
have been removed. There are no OBJ
stacles. There is no hostile senate on
which to lay the blame of failure. The
executive and legislative departments
are in accord, and if they neglect the
opportunity and omit to try the expert
ment history must declare that they
were dishonest, insincere or imbecile.
But there are as many democrats inter
ested in manufactures and protected in
dustries as republicans, and already in
| dications appear of a purpose to palter
and juggle. to interpret the platform in
| a double sense and not even keep the
| word of promise to the ear.
Upon the subject of pensions their
function is equally explicit. Undoubt-
edly this is matter of great national
concern. Its proportions are stupen-
dous. The annual aggregate of pay
ment is bewildering in its immensely,
and the numbers upon the roll pass
comprehension. To great masses of
voters born since the war Gettysburg
and AppomattoX are ancient history.
They have no personal interest in the
great drama. Then there is a still
larger number of voters who would
naturally prefer that no pensions al all
should be paid from the public treasury
to union soldiers. They were on the
other side, and they are the most pow
erful auxiliaries of the new administra-
ton.
Probably $500, 600, 600 Will be required
for pensions during the current fiscal
year. A large fraction of this, it is de-
clared. has been paid to unworthy and
undeserving claimants, to deserters,
bounty-jumpers, maligners and as re-
wards for political service. The purity
and integrity of the bureau and its
officials have been inpugned. If these
allegations are true, the truth should
be promptly disclosed. If there has
been dishonesty, it should be punished.
The lists should be infinitely scrutinized,
and if any are receiving pensions to
which they are not entitled they should
be cast out. Justice to the disabled,
brave and patriotic veterans, and
to the taxpayers who contribute these
millions, demand this purgation, which
has already been too long postponed.
ANNEXATION AND IMMIGRATION.
The cognate subjects of annexation
and immigration are brought promi-
nently into public attention by the APP
proach of the cholera and by the Ha-
waiian treaty.
We have reached a point in our ma
| tional career where we must admit
fewer foreigners or acquire more terri
tory for their accommodation. The
public domain is practically exhausted.
| In five years there will not be an acre.
upon which wheat or corn can be raised
without irrigation, subject to home
stead or prescription entry under the
| land laws of the United States.