The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1894-09-01
DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.

L
A DANGEROUS. PRECEDENT.
The Indiana farmer who has sued
Congressman Bynum for $1,000 dam-
ages, caused, as the farmer alleges, by
failure of Bynum to perform speci-
fic contract, has set dangerous prece-
dent, says a Republican exchange.
Should the courts cast the congress-
man in damages, what bankruptcy of
Democratic newspapers may we ex-
pect2 No wonder that the Democratic
press is endeavoring to laugh the In
diana farmers case out of court.
The case Of the far ner is that By
NUN aforesaid did, on certain day
preceding the congressional and presi-
Dental elections of 1892, promise to
and contract with certain persons, of
whom the aforesaid farmer was one,
that in the event of their and his vot-
ing for Cleveland as president, and for
Bynum as congressman, and in the
further event that Cleveland and By
nun he elected, and with them a
Democratic maj in both houses of
congress, there should be no more
agricultural depression. The aforesaid
Bynum promised that he and his
Democratic colleagues would "open
the markets Of the world" to the afore
said farmers, and contracted, in con-
sideratlon of their votes being cast for
Democrats, that in the aforesaid "open
markets of he world" American
wheat should sell for at least 81 %
per hushel
Trusting IN. the good faith of the
aforesaid Bynum, the aforesaid farmer
did vote the Democratic ticket, did aid
in the election of a Democratic presi-
dent and congress, and, further trust
ing in the declarations of the afore-
said Bynum, did SOW an unusual
quantity of wheat-to wit, 100 acres.
on which was raised 1000 bushels of
wheat, for which the said Bynum had
guaranteed price of S2500, being at
the rate of Sl25 per bushel, H. the
aforesaid "open markets of the world"
But in consequence of the said "nar-
kets of the world" not having been
opened by Bynum, Cleveland, con-
gress and sundry silly sappy gentle
men, the aforesaid farmer 6nds him
self obliged to sell his 1000 bushels of
wheat for $1,000, or at the rate of so
cents per bushel. Wherefore he pulls
himself upon the country and demands
damages in the aforesaid SUN of $500,
and all other proper relief.
But what will become of the pro-
prietors of Democratic newspapers
who hired silly y-sappy gentlemen to
promise Increased wages" "cheaper |
goods" and "enlarged demand for |
labor" to wage earners who should |
vote as the Indiana farmer voted,
provided that the Indiana farmers
case be held good in law-as surely it
is in equity2 Many thousands of
wage-earners did vote upon the false
promises of the aforesaid newspapers.
The "open markets of the world have
not absorbed their labor. There has
been a shrinkage of at least $20,000,-
600 year In the earnings o. labor
during the past two years,as compared
with the two years preceding the time
at which the Democratic newspapers
contracted to "make things better"
Two years ago men were striking in
attempt to force employers to pay
more than $40 per day for certain
kinds of skilled labor Now many of
these men are not earning $40 a
month.
1t will be a serious matter if the
Democratic newspapers ale condemned
to pay S40,000.000 to the wage-earn-
aro tbat thax, hav1 d,,o |
Then comes the question of indirect
damages which is sure to be opened if
that of direct damages to the Indiana
farmer be sustained. What billions of
dollars may be demanded by manufac-
turers. traders, wool growers, iron
miners, etc, for failure of that pros
perity, aud for presence of that dire
adversitv which Democratic uonkey-
ing with "open markets of the world"
has brought to pass2
In Zanadu, or koodlunkaw, or
other paradise of fools, there may be
remedy for the damages caused by the
unwise who temporarily closed the
profitable home market of the United
States while trying to open the COM
para.ively improbable markets OF
he world" but suffering from unwise
listening to the specIous pleadings of
lien importers and of Anglo-Ameri-
AN economists has come in tangible
hape. Ii may be that the courts will
lisuiss the Indiana farmers case, with
Twice Co the plaintiff that he be more
cary OF conf lence men in the future
But law is so uncertain thing that y
he ill-dlssnmbled anxiety of the Dem-
cratic newspapers is not surprising
'aey will have TO suspend if the In
isna man comes out a winner. c
l