Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-13
NOTES AND COMMENT.

NOTES AND COMMENT.
Flashes of Thoughts Inspired by Pass
Ing Events.
The peoples party did more to press
the silver question to the front than
all other forces put together. While 1t
should have credit for this, recent de-
velopments cause us to ask the ques-
ton, if it is not probable that too much
expense of other phases of the money
question. The silver question consid-
cred alone and apart from the money
question, is of minor Importance and
rather weak foundation.
All the objections that can be urged
against gold coin with equal propriety
can be urged against the white metal.
Its volume depends upon chances of dis
covery, and while the free. mintage of
both metals comes nearer filling the
demands for circulating medium, the
fact that the output of both depends
upon the chances of discovery of new
mines and the exhaustion of old ones,
makes it next to impossible to preserve
a uniformity in the volume of curren-
cy even with both used as money met
ais.
Besides in gauging the battle on the
silver question alone we were made
subject to unfair comparisons that
proved a serious obstacle in the fight.
The countries of Mexico, Japan, China
and some of the South American states
were pointed out as examples Of the
evil effects of silver basis, when as
a matter of fact silver had little to do
with the low rate Of wages and poor
condition of the laborer in those coun-
tries. 1t will be remembered that
during the tariff discussion the con-
testants pointed to these same coun-
tries as examples Of warning against
a change Of the American policy"
The whole monetary question should
have entered into the discussion, espe-
cially the problems of who should is
sue the money and how it should BIO
redeemed. But it seems to be In line
with the usual tactics of considering
the question of how not to settle it
instead of grasping the real problem
In dead earnest and demanding its
consideration.
one among those incorporated in our
platform, yet it's discussion and con-
sideration has engrossed the entire at
tention of the public. While this Is to
be regretted there is some consolation
in the fact that the money question is
''in court" and if the populists will
pull themselves together and follow
up their agitation much good may yet
accrue from the animated contentious
of the campaign just closed. Voting
on proposition dose not always set
tie it, and even it it be claimed that
the silver question is settled, the agi-
tation of the financial question is only
just begun.
The developments Of the recent CAM
paign have emphasized the Importance
of wrestling from the banks the power
to issue money. The threats which
in
Wall street as to what it would do in
the event OF the election of a free
silver administration justifies the peo-
pie to go to the extreme of not only
withdrawing from them the privilege
of issuing their own notes, but of re-
voking their charters. If we cannot
have banks without surrendering to
them the power over the immense
business interests of the country and of
yielding to their every demand on
threats of panic which they claim
they can and will precipitate, then we
were better off without banks.
The campaign is over, but the en-
lightenment which the people received
from it will be as seed sown upon good
ground. Happily the discussion of
one step toward monetary reform may
lead to an investigation of the whole.
Here, then, is the opportunity which
Populists should improve. All polit-
ical parties should now be put on their
record and their ante-election prom
ises. Every mans work should be
measured for what it is worth. If he
is not capable of leadership he should
be deposed. Those who are elected
and do not keep their records clear
should be marked for retirement at
the very first opportunity the people
have to speak. Let it be known that
close tab is being kept on every man,
and that he will be held in strict at
count for his every action, and we