The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1895-12-07
THE GREAT QUESTION FIN nee
Recommendations in Keeping With
Well-Buown Views.

AS we turn from review of our foreign
relations to the CONCENTRATIONS of our ma
| tional financial situation we are imme-
| diately aware that we approach a sub
| iect of domestic concern more important
than any other that can engage our at
| tention and one at present in such a per-
picking and delicate predicament as to
require prompt and wise treatment
| We may well be encouraged to earnest
effort in this direction when we recall the
| steps taken toward improving our eco
nOmic and financial situation, and when
we appreciate how well the way has been
prepared for further progress by an arous-
ed and intelligent popular interest in these
subjects.
By command of the people a customs
| revenue system, designed for the protec-
ton and benefit of favored classes at the
expense of the great mass of our country
men, and which, while inefficient for the
purpose OF revenue, curtailed our trade
relations and impeded our entrance to the
markets of the world, has been superseded
by tariff policy which in principle is
based upon a denial of the right of the
government to Obstruct the avenues to
our peoples cheap living or lessen their
comfort and contentment for the sake
of according especial advantages to favor
ties, and which, while encourag ing our in
tercourse and trade with other nations.
recognizes the fact that American self
reliance, thrift and ingenuity can build
up our countrys industries and develop
its resources more surely than enervat-
ing paternalism.
SILVER COINAGE.
The compulsory purchase and coinage
OF silver by the government unchecked
and unregulated by business conditions
and needless of our currency needs, which
Tor more than Is years diluted our cir
culatlng medium, undermined confidence
abroad in our financial ability and at last |
eliminated in distress and panic al home |
mas been recently stopped by the repeal |
OF the laws which forced this reckless
scheme upon the country. The things |
thus accomplished, Notwithstanding their |
extreme Importance and benefcient eff |
reefs, fau far short of curing the none |
tary evils from which we suffer as a result |
OF long indulgence in all advised financial |
expedients.
GREENBACK ISSUES.
Currency, denominated as United States |
notes and commonly known as green
backs, was issued in large volume during /
the late civil war, and was intended orig
inally to meet the exigencies of that pc
Rod 1t will be seen by reference to the
debates in congress at the time the laws
were passed authorizing the issue of these
notes that their advocates declared they
were intended for only temporary use, and |
to meet the emergency of war. In almost |
if not all, the laws relating to them, some
provision was made contemplating their
voluntary or compulsory retirement A
large quantity of them, however, were
kept on foot and mangled with the cur
rency Of the country, so that at the close
of the year 1874 they amounted to $751;
073. Immediately after that date, and
in January, 1875, a law was passed pro-
viding for the resumption of specie pay
ments, by which the secretary of the
treasury was required. whenever addition