Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1896-09-11


security, is to be found in the careful
observance of the limitations which
they impose. 1t will be noticed that
while the United States guarantees to
every state republican form of gov
eminent and is empowered to protect
EACH state against invasion, it is not au-
thorized to interfere in the domestic af-
fairs of any state except upon the appli-
cation of the executive when the legis-
lature cannot be convened.
This provision rests upon the theory
that the people of the state acting
through their legally chosen represen
tative, are, because of their more init
mate acquaintances with local condi-
tons, better qualified than the president
to judge of the necessity for federal as
sistance. Those who framed our con
stitution wisely determined to make as
broad an application of the principles of
local self-government as circumstances
would permit, and we cannot dispute
the correctness of the position taken by
them without expressing a distrust of
the people themselves.
Economy-Since government exists
for the protection of the rights of the
people and not for their spoilation, no
expenditure of public money can be JUS
titled unless that expenditure is neces-
sary for the honest, economical and eff
cient administration of the government.
In determining what appropriation are
necessary the interest of those who pay
the taxes should be consulted, rather
than the wishes of those who receive or
disburse public monies.
Bonds-An increase in the bonded
debt of the United States at this time is
entirely without excuse. The issue of
Understanding bonds within the last
few years has been defended on the
ground that they were necessary to Sc
cure gold with which to redeem United
| States notes and treasury notes, but this
necessity had been imaginary rather
than real. Instead of exercising the
legal right vested in the United States
to redeem its notes in either gold or sill
yer, the executive branch of the gov
eminent has followed a precedent es-
tablished by a former administration
and surrendered the option to the
holder of the obligations. This admin
istrative policy leaves the government
at the mercy of those who find pecu-
MARY profit in bonds. The factthat the
dealers in money and securities have
been able to deplete or protect the
treasury according to their changing
whims, shows how dangerous it is to
permit them to exercise a controlling
influence over the treasury department
The government of the United States
when administered in the interests of
all the people, is able to establish and
enforce its financial policy, not only
without the aid of any syndicates, but in
spite of any opposition which syndicates
might present. To assert that the gov
eminent is dependent upon the good
will or assistance of any portion OF the
neonle other than constitutional ma
;oritv is to assert that we have gov
eminent in form, but without vital
force.
National Bank Currency-The prop
osition taken by the platform against
the issue of paper money by the ma
tional banks is supported by the high
est democratic authority as well as de-
noanded ir the interests of the people
The present attempt of the national
hanks TO force the retirement of United
States notes and treasury notes in or
der to secure a basis for larger issue
of their own notes, illustrates the dan
Ger which arises from permitting them
TO issue their paper as a circulating me
dunn. The national bank note, being
redeemable in lawful money, has never
been better than the United States note
which stands behind it, and yet the
banks persistently demand that the
limited States notes, which draw no in
terest. shall give way to interest bearing
bonds in order that the banks may col
lect the interest which the people now
save. To empower national banks tC
issue circulating notes is to grant sPe
cial privilege to favored class, surren
der to private corporations the contro
over the volume of paper money and
build up class which will claim vest
ed interest in the nations financial pol
CIV. Our United States notes, common
L. Known as preenhacks. being redeem