People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-07-27
John A. MOrtOn'S Letter.

John A. MOrtOn'S Letter.
The writer of the following letter to the O,borne
County Ners has been heretofore 4 republican, Is
the head of the mercantile hrm Of Morton Par
sons Of lsborne, Kas has been three times elected
mayor Of the city, and is now serving his third
term. Like many another good republican, he is
very weary Of republican rule, will appear from
his letter.-ED.l
In an editorial pointing out the danger
existing from mob law as e1emplifed in
the actions of the "commonwealers," the
coal strikers, and cramps" generally, the
Farmer of last week has this to say in
conclusion:
"0ur deliberate judgment is, that the
people should send to Washington a Con-
gress with the patriotism and courage to
grapple with these alarming conditions;
a Congress that will hurl back into the
ocean of expired devils the cursed doc.
trine of state rights, where the results of
the late war logically placed it; Congress
that will make every anarchist in this ooun-
try wesrer Of rope necktie, an inmate
of prison, or resident of another coun-
try; a Congress with brains enough to
detect existing frailties in our government
tai system and to supply national legisla-
ton along various lines where II Is needed.
Better by far it is to adopt this plan, in
sure the public tranquility, and maintain
at their minimum strength our small army
and navy, than to let thrive the venomous
viper of treason until every state shall be-
come the home of division or corps of
! national troops, and oppressive taxation
and vice unrestrained become the rule Of
action"
The Farmer speaks well in saying "0ur
deliberate judgment is, that the people
should send to Washington a Congress
with the patriotism and courage to grspple
with these alarming conditions" Be-
fore proceeding further in the considers-
ton of the cure, let us stop and inquire
when this trouble originated, and, if pos
sible, notice some of the causes. The
Farmer no doubt would argue that the
troubles do not date further back than
A. D. 1893, and that they are caused
by democratic supremacy and populist
idiocy. The ascendency of the demo-
cratic party elected on platform pledged
to "tariff REFORM" which means an un-
settling of values in the commercial
world, no doubt precipitated the acute
form of hard times which has been the
country's portion for the last IL months;
but to say that that alone is the cause is
to ignore the facts of history during the
last quarter of century. We're there no
strikes prior to 1887 No trsmps prior
to 1887 No sweating shops" prior to
1887 No thousands of toiling people
working on starvation wages prior to
1887 If not, then, indeed, it must be
true that democratic incompetency and
populist rsnting are the causes. If, on
the contrary, these things existed, though
in lesser degree, we must look elsewhere
for the cause. A careful investigation
discloses the fact that within a decade
from the close of the war "hard times "
began to be felt, and along in the '70's the
tramp nuisance assumed alarming pro.
portions. Strikes and lockouts we're
numerous. Since that time the general
tendency has been an increase rather
than diminution Of labor troubles. The
situation is now serious.
1t would not be possible within the lin
its of single newspaper article to attempt
to trace the various causes which have COM
bined to produce the conditions which now
confront us. 1t may be said in general
way, however, that all legislation which
tended to contract the volume of the cur
rency and increase the value of securities
is, in some measure, responsible for it; fol
an appreciation of money means depre'
citation of that which is used TO obtain
mOney-labor and the products of labor
Intemperance and extravaganza are fruit
full sources of hard times; but they are
secondary causes, and have little or no con
nection with the great strikes now in prog
ress or the gathering together of CoIeyites
great many of our newspapers, the
Farmer among the number, seem to mis-
take the symptoms for the malady, the
manifestations of disease for the disease
itself. The physician who would pay nc
attention to anything but symptoms would
soon be pronounced quack. No matter
how serious the strikes now in progress
are, the causes which produce them are
more serious still. No matter how serious
Tor ridiculous) the Coxey movement MAJ
become, the causes which make such {
movement possible are more serious still
Judge Albion W. Tourgee, recognized
throughout the country as one of the best
opponents of true republican principles
, in recent letter, replies as follows to the
| charge that he is in sympathy with thu
Commonwealth: ale is glad TO be rec
ognized as one who has sympathy will
anyone who suffers wrong or hsrdships
no matter who or what may be the cause
, He even sympsthizes sometimes with thos'
, who think they suffer wrong, whether they
, really do or not" And says further, "th'
/ weak are not those who create conditions
/ they are only the first to suffer from them
He further indorses the following from
8 another republican: 81 fully agree will
Q you that there is another 'irrepressibl
] conflict before Us, unless. those who hav
: dictated the party policy and governments
, tendency give us breathing spell. Pop
ulism is, in purpose, only protest agsins
7 bossism and corporate control Of tn
party and legislation. That Is what it !
!, here in the West at least. Its wild idea
Q as to the remedy are the result Of Anan
: cial depression and apprehension for tn
! future.
"The national carbuncle, 90 l call i
T which is the core Of all our troubles, hs
0 been fictitious capitalization, stock job
= bling, and combination In restraint OF oou