The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1894-07-20
John A. MOrtOn's Letter.

John A. MOrtOn's Letter.
The writer of the following letter TO the Osborne
CO1Aty Hesgs has been heretofore republican, is
the head Of the mercantile firm of Morton 4 Par
sons of Osborne, Kas has been three times elected
mayor of the city, and is now serving his third
term. Like many smother good republican, he is
very weary of republican rule as viii appear from
his letter-ED-l
In an editorial pointing out the danger
existing from mob law as exemplified in
the actions of the "commonwealers," the
coal strikers, and " tram ps" generally, the
FE1s7per of last week has this to say in
conclusion:
"0ur deliberate Judgment is, that the
people should send to Washington Con-
gress with the patriotism and courage to
grappIe with these alarming conditions;
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; a Congress
that will make every anarchist in this cOan-
try q Wearer of rope necktis, an inmate
Of q prison, or resident of another cOun-
FRY; Congress with brains enough TO
detect existing frailties in our government
tai system and to supply national legisla-
tion along various lines whore it IL needed.
Better by far it is to adopt this plan, in
sure the public tranq utility, and maintain
at their minimum strength our small army
and navy, than to let thrive the yenom01s
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 Our
deliberate Judgment is, that the people
should send to Washington Congress
with the patriotism and courage TO grapple
with these alarming conditions" Be-
fore proceeding further in the oonsidera-
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. 1898, and that they are caused
by democratic supremacy and populist
idiocy. The ascendency of the demo-
cratic party elected on platform pledged
TO "tarif REFORM" which means an I'M
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 II 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 1898? No tramps prior
TO 1898? No " swesting shops" prior to
1887 No thousands of toiling people
working on starvation wages prior to
1898? If not, then, indeed, it must be
true that democratic inoompetency and
populist ranting 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 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 were
numerous. Since that time the general
tendency has been an increase rather
than a diminution of labor troubles. The
situation is now serious.
It would not be possible within the linn
its of single newspaper article to attempt
to trace the various causes which have COM
bined to produce the conditions which now
confront Us. It 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; for
an appreciation of money means dePre-
citation of that which Is used TO obtain
noney-labor and the products of labor.
Intemperance and extravagance are fruit
full sources of hard times; but they are
nection with the great strikes now in prog
ress or the gathering together of COxeyites.
A 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 no
attention to anything but symptoms would
soon be pronounced quacks No matter
how serious the strikes now in progress
are, the causes which produce them are
more serious still. No matter how serious
Tor ridiculousl the C0xey movement may
become, the causes which make such g
movement possible are more serious still.
Judge Albion w. Tourgee, recognized
throughout the country as one OF the best
expOnerts Of srue republican principles,
In q resent letter, replies as follows to the
charge that he Is in sympathy with the
ac0mmonweaIersS He ie glad TO bereo-
ognized - one Who has sympathy vith
anyone who suffers wrong or AaEdshlps,
no matter Who or what may be the, cause.
Re even synpathizss soEuetimes with those
who think they suffer wrong. vhsthex4 they
really do or not" And aEFs further, sthe
weak are not those Eh0 essate eonditions;
they soalT the frat tos Ter from them"
He further ind9rsss kt following from
smother repnblseaD= 81 fglIy sgree With
soEdfcs' before as unless those Who have
diststed the party policy snd goEeEn1santal
tendency give "a bzeathing spell Pop
ulisn is a puzposss Only s prntest agailst
boaFism snd ecrp0zate ooESrc1 Of us
party and legislation. That Is what i IS
here n lis Vest IS lssss. rs sid sdsas
- - She remedy are che rssalt of hnze-
eel depression and appssksasfon fek 80
fnsurs