Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1896-02-23

whieb vonid have TO be raised as
taxes on of the people, In ADDITION 70
the taxes required for the support OF
the federal, state. county and city ana
town governments. IN addition 10 what
ever sum might be required Tor the eN
tinguishment Of parts or the prInelpa.
debt. Is IL supposed that cohs,ess
would even consent TO impose such a
burden on our people? And can It be
supposed that the people would SUI
init to such burden?
The number OF persons engaged IN
the management OF these properties
~ estimated to be as follows;
Officers and employees OF railroad a..
companios...s 500 e.. ,'".',' o-''VVV
officers and employees OF the tel
Cgraph companles....,. .-..... l,opV
Employees of the telephone COM
pany.. Sc. 80. 80. ..''..'.'.. il'V'f
Ayprera.jng .,. .... gO7, asa
This great number OF persons are re-
ouired 10 manage these properties un-
der the economics employed in the
over watchful care OF private and cor
porate interests All experience mas
shown that greater number OF en-
ployes and longer time IL required on
works constructed or carried on by the
federal government than is required
for like work controlled by the private
interests of persons or corporations.
And IL would be safe TO estimate that
we might add % per cent to the above
number II the railroads, telegraphs
and telephones were to be managed
by the government ON that suppo-
sltion there would be over 100. 000 men
to be under appolntmcnt by the federal
authorities. There are now about l50,-
600 nppoinfees OF the federal govern
ment II we should add to that num-
her the number which would be re-
quired to operate the railroad, tele-
graph and telephones, would II not he
q most dangerous concentration OF
power in the federal government, and
In the executive department Of ~ Can
anyone doubt but that 1t would COM
plctely dwarf the state governments
and change and revolutionize the gov
eminent of the United states ms estab-
llshed by the constitution? Who can
be wild enough to believe, or even to
suppose. that an American congress
could never be elected which would
adopt policy fraught with such dan
gers as this?
The loaning OF money by the govern
ment to citizens at . per cent interest
on mortgages on land or farm products
would no doubt induce thousands to
borrow. many OF them improvtdently.
IL such a policy were adopted, fortu-
nately for the people OF Texas, our CON
stitution and laws prevent the mort
gaglng OF homcsteads. To that eN-
tent the people Of this state would be
protected against Its evil effects. HUT
in most or all Of the other states
they Mould not have that protection.
And when the money so borrowed
should be spent the general expert
ence In such matters show that very
large proportion Of the borrowers would
be unable TO repay It. And where
land mortgages had been given, the
result would be the foreclosure ana
sale OF the mortguged property. In
this way II Ii safe 10 assume that the
government In carrying out such
policy, would soon become the owner
OF very large amount OF land, farms
and homesteads. And when 40 ac-
qulred what would or could II do with
such farms and homesteads? Would II
undertake to employ managers and Ia
Dor to carry them on; or would II allow
them to go to waste? IL the former, 1t
would increase the appointing patron
age of the executive department of the
government, adding to the danger from
that source; II the latter, great destruc-
ton of the value OF real estate would
follow. Would not such policy re-
suit after large sums of money had
been loaned tn the people, and the
time of payment had been reached in
the creation of a strong element. hrst
in favor of extending the time for
payment, and finally In favor of the
government releasing the debtors?
II is respectfully submitted that such
a policy added to the policy Of making
the federal government n lender OF
money TO private persons and pro-
duce broker, and the vast Increase In
the number of federal apppintees
would entirely change the character
of the federal government and the pur-
pose for which II was formed by our
revolutionary fathers; that II would
result in the overthrow OF our present
system OF government and in substi-
tutlnR for our present race OF In
dependent, liberty -lOvlng freemen, a
race Of mendicants, dependent ON gov
crnmcnt support, and UNFIT for the
great duties of self government, and
nj tools to be used only by corrupt and
ambitious men.
VIII the people of Texas sanction
such policies. or support political
party which advocates them, is Il seri-
aus question which their future action
is to decide
There is no question but that there
Is much ground of complaint against
much that has been done by the fed
eral government; especially ngulnst the
financial policy; In tho plan adopted
FDln after the war OF converting the
| legal tender notes Into an interest bear
, Ing bonded debt; In the passage OF the
act OF 1869 taking from the government
| the right to redeem bonds with the
| same kind OF money with which they
We're purchased, and making them pay
| able in coin OF gold and silver; In the
| passage of the act Of 1873 demonetizing
silver. taking from It the quality OF
standard redeeming money, and a legal
! tender for debts above the amount OF
! five dollars the unconditional repeal
| OF what IL known as the sherman law
| the refusal to authorize the coinage OF
| the silver bullion held In the treasury;
| and the refusal OF the house OF repre-
sentatives Of the present congress Ia
pass the senate hill for the free and
| unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio
/ Of 10 OF silver to Of gold. the making
! OF II legal tender money, recurring
| the treasury department to pay IL out
| the same as gold In satisfaction or the
J demands on the government: and the
Issuance of interest-bearing bonds IN
time OF peace TO purchase gold These
are tile policies OF the Republican
| party, part OF which have been fol-
| lowed by II Democratic president md
| minority OF the Democratic party
! But large majority OF the Democratic
| party has opposed and denounced them
| at all times; and this majority, COM
| posed OF greatly more voters thnn there
| are In the Popuist party, has protested
us earnestly against these measures a !
have the Populists. But because OF tho
! attempted betrayal of the Democratic
party ON these questions by portion
| or It's members. many Democrats were
made TO believe they could not rely on
II for the reversal OF these policies, SO
far as they can be affected BY future
action. and Jointod the Popuiists. II
they had remained with the Demo-
Gratis UOtftA huNa hagn nj II,