Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-05-31
Congressman Michael u. Harter, of

Congressman Michael d. Harter, Of
Ohio, does not believe In paternalIsm
In government. On the contrary, he
rightly holds that very many of the
evils which aillict the body polite at
this time are the outgrowth Of pattern
alism. He was recently invited to ad-
dress q mass meeting gotten up In
Washington by some of the sympath-
izers with the Coxey movement. The
question upon which he was asked to
express his views was "What II any
thing, can congress do to give work
to the unemployed, to increase the
price Of produce, and to restore to
our people confidence and prosperity
He wrote to the chairman of the COM
mite as follows:
As l am not certain can be at the
meeting wish to suggest an effective
remedy for hard times, which is
also q very simple one. Conllne the
work OF congress to the limits Of the
constitution. Stop levying taxes to
provide profits (under the name of
protection) for a portion Of our people
at the expense Of the balance.
Publish far and wide that II is not the
business of the United States to raise
prices, provide work, regulate wages,
or In any way to interfere with the
private business or personal affairs Of
the people. Declare that the control
of the statesbanks, and all other state
and local affairs, like roads for In
stance, shall remain exclusively with
the state and local governments.
Prove to all the world that we intend
to keep every dollar Of the circulating
money issued or coined by the United
States at the full gold value Of 100
cents. Put our civil service on bust
ness. like foundation. Kick out spoils-
men and bunco legislators; and
prosperity will return without invest
ing In any quack nostrums, and with
out putting on liver-pads or porous
plasters.
A little everyday common sense,
industry, economy and hopefulness
will hasten the return of good times,
but avoid quack remedies, quack con-
gresham and crank senators, and
when some worthless tell you we must
put up the price Of silver. wheat,
grindstones, tulips or toadstools to the
figures they commanded In the days of
Adam, or George Washington, or even
in 1871 say when such ideas are
advanced, put cotton In your ears and
keep at your calling The troubles
we are having are the outgrowth Of
simon pure peternalism, and when
these few changes are made In our
present methods, and we then return
to Americanism In its purity, that is,
to personal, individual self-reliance,
our troubles will fade away rs the
mist flies before the rising sun.
If, however, we go on In the mad
chase after prosperity, under the leader
ship of the Coxeys, Mckinleys, Stew
arts, PETERS, Blands, Hatches, etc, we
will find harder times and greater
suffering ahead Of us. You may say
or l may believe that all Of the men
named are very good fellows, tirstclass
fathers, husbands, and neighbors, quite
we'll meaning and highly commend
ible men in every sense (and only
use their names to identify the various
crazes, wild ideas, vagaries and cranky
notions they have urged and adyocat-
ed), but they must injure all they lead
and will bankrupt any nation.
Men with level heads and fare share
of good common, every day sense,