Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1894-07-26
John A. MOrtOn's Letter.

/ -"
John A. MOrtOn's Letter.
1.-THE writer Of the following letter to the Osborne
Cbuntv Neps has been heretofore q republican, Is
the head Of the mercantile arm Of Morton q Par,
mayor of the city, and is now serving his third
very weary Of republican rule. as VIII appear from
his letter.-EDJ
In an editorial pointing out the danger
existing from mob law as exemplified in
the actions of the "commonwealers," the
coal strikers, and "trsmps" generally, the
Farmer of last week has this to say in
conclusion:
sour deliberate judgment is, that the
people should send to Washington 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 coun-
try a wearer of a rope necktie, an inmate
of prison, or resident of another coun-
try; a Congress with brains enough to
detect existing fraities in our government
tai system and to supply national legisla-
ton along various lines where it 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 we'll 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 considera-
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 "tariff 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 pOTblOu IOE bno ldSb IL ihOhbuSy
but to say that that alone is the cause is
to ignore the facts of history during the
last quarter of century. Were there no
strikes prior to 1898? No tramps 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 incompstency and
populist ranting are the causes II, 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 sheen an increase rather
than diminution of labor troubles. The
situation is now serious.
1t would not be possible within the lin
it's 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; for
an appreciation of money means depre-
citation of that which is used to obtain
money-labor and the products of labor.
Intemperanoe 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.
A great many of our newspapers, the
Farmer among the number, seem to mis-
take the symptoms for the mslady, the
manifestations of disease for the disease
itself. The physician who would pay no |
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 may !
become, the causes which make such a
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 a recent letter, replies as follows to the |
charge that he is in sympathy with the
" commonwealers" "He is glad to be REQ
ognized as one who has sympathy with |
anyone who suffers wrong or hsrdships, |
no matter who or what may be the cause.
He even sympathizes sometimes with those |
who think they suffer wrong, whether they
really do or not" And says further, "the
weak are not those who create conditions;
they are only the first to suffer from them"
He further Endorses the following from
another republican,: at fully agree with
you that there is another 'irrepressible
conflict before us, unless. those who have
dictated the party policy and governmental
tendency give MS breathing spell. Pop
ulism is, in purpose, only protest az sinst
bossism and corporate control of the
party and legislation. That is what IL is
here in the West, at least. Its wild ideas
as TO the remedy are the result of hnsn-
cial depression and apprehension for the
future.
"The national csrbuncle, as call II,
which Is the core of all our troubles, has
been fictitious capitalization, stock Job
bling, and combination in restraint OF com