Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1895-12-10
TUESDAY,, DECEMBER 10TH. 1895.
LET US BE PRACTICAL.

The danger OF all reform move
ments is to run to extremes.
Whenever reform becomes so
urgent as to rouse popular senti-
ment, as is now the case in this
country, enthusiastic theorists
spring to the front with their
hobbies and cure all. Most all Of
these theories contain moro or
less Of saving grace, but all of
them are apt to be narrow, or
one sided. Many Of them. how
ever true in principle, are too far
ahead Of their time for popular
comprehension. A measure of
reform to be practical must be as
little ahead of the popular senti-
ment as possible, yet radical
enough to make Il distinct and
clearly drawn party issue of Wit
al Importance and certain re-
suits.
We notice with salts faction
that all the leading populists are
realizing the Importance of keep
ing the above practical principles
in view as they are preparing for
the coming campaign. The feel
ing among them prevails that the
money question must be and will
become the leading issue. We
have held this view for a good
while and there are many rea-
sons for this. But when we
agree to confine ourselves prin-
cipally to the money issue. we
find that some hold that the silver
question per Sc is Of slight impor
lance, and demand at once Il
scientific system of paper mon
ey.
Now we do not deny that such
a money system is possible, and
under an advanced state Of civil
cation and general intelligence.
the ideal system, yet we serious
ly doubt that this country is yet
capable Of handling such sys-
tenn. Its volume would have to
be regulated by congress. and
from time to time measures of
of distribution be devised in the
form of internal improvement
etc. These measures of distrib-
ution would be shoals and quick
sand that requires in our opinion,
more general intelligence and
better and purer craftsmanship
that we can command at present.
We are afraid, for instance. that
some Wall street Spectator, or
click of them. would in some
way get control of congress, and
manipulate such a scientific sys-
tenn Of paper money, should we
adopt such into money swindle
for their own benefit, such as the
world never heard off yet. In
fact, we believe congress should
be altogether debarred from leg
.islating about money. Changes
in monetary laws should be sub
mitted directly to the people as a
constitutional amendment. If
we once get the initiative and
referendum, and find that it
works alright, then we will think
about ''scientifc system of pa
per money! but hardly til then.
Taking all in all we believe that
the old automatic system Of me-
.talic money is the only practical
and safe money system that this
country can: adopt for many
years to come.
BY the. old automatic system
! of metallic money is meant the
free coinage of both gold and sill
yer into dollars or units of &C.
count and full legal tender at a
certain ratio of weight Of the
pure metal. That is all there is
: tot. It is plain, simple and self
regulating. No.; means of dis
tribution by the gov eminent in
the shape ;of internal improve
ments or popular loans is re-
Equired, as the government. does
not buy the metal, or own the
money coined at the.mints: The
government simply coins the me-
tal into dollars f d any body that
IS iings Il there 1drt1lat purpose.