Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-02-07

Cost or WAR.-An epitomized
statement nf the expenses devolving
upon the government because of the
war and the proportion of them paid
during the thirty years since 1868, as
we'll as the other expenditures of the
government during the same period,
is given by Mr.. Coombs, of the
House, in support of the contention
made by the President in his special
message that this generation has al.
ready paid more than its share of the
government debt. The table is as
follows: The interest bearing debt
in 1860 was 81, 356, 561 ,1S6; bonds af-
terward issued for redemption, $l95,-
100000; total, 81, 500, O61, 1S6. Bonds
and Understanding debt outstand-
ing now, not including those issued
in aid of the Pacific railroad, S679,.
1873, 100; paid and retired since 1865,
Sl,9l2, $685. 56; premiums paid on
loans and redemptions, S119,S49, $50;
paid in pensions, 81, 72l, 1884, 663; adj
ministration expenses, pension dc
partment estimate, sec, 200, 900; in
terest OH public debt, 50, 46S, 332, 73l
greenbacks retired, about S97, 100
800; amount paid on account Of war
debt, Sc, 379, $40, 9O5. Other expenses
paid in the same period: War de-
partment, for support of army, inn
provement of rivers and harbors,
payment of war claims and fortifi
cations, 81, 1872, 4S1, 40; navy depart
ment for support of navy and build
ing of new many, STAG, 917,24S; to
the Indians, S204, 242, $3.50; expenses
OF civil administration, 5000, O33,-
500; total, 81, 652, 674, PIT. Add war
expenses, Sc, 379, $40, 9O5, and we have
a grand total of Sl2,O32, pa, 2S2.
SIMPSONS BLUE TALK.-A press
special from New York says Con-
gresham Jerry Simpson addressed
the Manhattan Single Tax Club i'm
Chickering Hall Saturday night
Although introduced as a Populist
Congressman, he denied the classifi-
cation, saying that he did not believe
that man should belong to a party,
but the party to the man. Moreover,
whenever ne found a party more
nearly suited to his views than the
Calamity Howlers" of Kansas, he
intended to join it.
All the trouble in the country, ac-
cording to Mr.. Simpson, is due to
the rapid concentration of wealth.
Congressman are the paid attorneys
of trusts, and the system of govern
ment is one of brigandage.
He predicted that 80 per cent. Of
the next generation will be criminals,
and expressed the gravest fears that
his own might be one of the number.
He had no fear for himself, as, he
said, he could not sink any lower
than the level in which he moved.
The mi!lionaires made all the
criminals, precipitated all the strikes
and called out the - ilitia. Self.gov-
eminent by the people he despaired
of, as the people would not he edu-
Gated in the only theory-single tax
on land values-which would redeem
the Government and make every.
body happy.
On the 3!st ultimo the House COM
mittee on railroads gave a hearing TO
the friends and opponents of two
very important bills-one creating a
State Railroad Commission and the
other prohibiting railroads from
dealing In coal. Col. st. Clair made
the principal speech in favor of the
latter bill. After the hearing the
representatives of the railroads and
OF the operators got together and
agreed on compromise measure
which will prevent the railroads
from buying coal after the 3Ist of
March. Being thus in a fair way to
get rid of the railroad coal agencies,
If the Legislature will go further and
provide against the organization of a
coal trust among the operators to
keep up prices, it will deserve the
gratitude Of the people. When the
railroad coal agencies shall have been
abolished we fear the people will
have coal trust to fight. Let the
price Of coal be regulated by open
competition, and there can be no
room for complaint.
MINGo.-West Virginia now has
So counties, the Governor having ap-
proved the bill recently passed by
the Legislature creating the county
of MiDOO Oui IF tho torr;tn., orI