The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1894-11-02
PopuInst Inc consistcmcies


ST. Paul, Oct 23.-To the Editor:
The leaders of the populist party and
the populist papers say that the fiat OF
the government is money. In other
words, they say that the government can
take piece OF paper that does not cost
one cent and stamp it million dollars
and thus make good money. Then
these same Populist leaders turn right
around and demand the free coinage Of
silver at ratio of sixteen to one, com
pared with gold. Upon such platform
they go before the people and say that if
the Popullst party is only elected there
will be plenty of good money and good
times
Now, what bothers me is this: II the
government can take piece OF paper
that does not cost one cent and can stamp
/. and make it worth 100000 and good
money, what is the object In coming
gold and silver. Gold and silver cost
something 10 get. They cost labor and
time; they have value Independent Of
the stamp OF the government; they are
both limited IN their quan tity, in their
production Now is 1t not the height OF
folly, perfect nonsense, if the govern
ment can make money ont OF nothing. or
paper, for 1t to buy silver and make that
into money? II the government can
make anything it wants to into money
why not coin the farmers wheat and
corn? why not coin the iron of Min
nesota and thus give fresh start to our
mines? If the government can make any
thing it wants to into money, why should
it pick out the productions Of enc man in
preference TO all the rests Why should
the government give the Western silver
mine owner cinch? Why give the
man who happens to own silver mine
the bulge on the rest OF the people? ?
We hear good deal from these Popullst
leaders about schemes and conspiracies
" AoAiouA tiiO tCOPiC. ~ iAiSHG Uc well
for the people to look into the schemes
Of these Populist leaders and the silver
mine owners
Then there is another thing that
bothers me, and that IS this: Ii all it
needs is the fiat Of the government to
make money why have ratio between
silver and gold lG to Il Why not have
it 10 to l? Why not have it 5 to II
One to Que? What has gold got to do
with silver if The government fixes its
value? Does not the fact that these
men say ratio OF 16 to show that they
know something else enters into the
question of money value besides fiat?
The very asking or demanding the coin
age of gold and silver is an Abandonment
OF the theory that the government can
make good money out Of paper. Aud
when they demand tree coinage Of gold
and silver at ratio Of 16 10 l, they step
right into the field Of reasoning and
argument now occupied by the Republi
can party.
Once admit tha: there should be any
ratio at all between god and silver, and
you admit the cause for ratio. Admit
ting that there is cause Tor ratio, and
the only difference between the Populist
and Republicans is ae to what that ratio
shall be, 50 as to maintain the parity and
money value Of the two metals. When
it comes to that, the Republican party il
right.
The Populist platform upon its face il
aswlndle OF the worst character. II
will not bear investigation for moment
! say 1t is q swindle Of the worst char.
acter because it is an attempt 10 hood.