The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-12-06
SILVER AND POPULISM.

The relation of the POpulists to the
silver issue is a matter Of some concern.
That the Populists regard the free coin
age Of silver only step in the direction
of more radical reforms to cure the eX-
listing inequality in the distribution of
wealth is abundantly evident. The
condition that confronts the POpullst
mind is the very rich on the one hand
and the very poor on the other; the ac-
emulation of capital into the hands OF
PERSONS who are not in proper sense
producers, while those who produce,
who labor. apparently do not get just
proportion of the wealth they create;
that the capitalist is reaping the harvest
that belongs to the producer; that these
evils are mainly brought about by cor
porations and such combinations as are
commonly designated trusts. 1t is this
condition that makes the Populist party
possible. Whether the evils referred To
can be cured by legislation, without the
abolition of ownership of property. the
abolition of the competitive system need
not be argued. Whether these evils are
rather imaginary than real. and whether
the Porulist program would not END In
some sort of Socialism or Communism
are questions aside from our purpose.
The fact remains that there is general
belief that a condition exists and that
pIutOcracy not inaccurately describes IL.
1t therefore happens that Populism is
protest against plutocracy.
Very much might be said about the
shallowness of the plutOcratic complaint
and Of the hypocrisy Of the Populist
leaders who make it. 1t nevertheless
remains true that in the popular mind
plutocracy exists; that it is public evil
that anti-plutocracy is more or less
political issue, and that Populism rep
resents this issue. People may laugh at
Populism and predict its speedy dissolu-
ton, but it has persisted long enough to
convince the thinking mind that while
the conditions exist that make antitrust
legislation necessary to meet public de-
mand, Populism is possible if not prob
able. The issues upon which Populism
was first based may prove foolish and
impracticable. but this only menas
shifting of scenes. The great evils yet
remain 10 the POpulist eye
Populists may abuse the old parties,
denounce their politicians as responsible
for present wrongs. commit their cause
to worse leaders than they condemned,
but while prices continue downward
and the agriculturist finds that he can
only subsist by very hard work and
close economy Populism may be expect
ed to remain. II is the condition Pro
posed remedies are but so many expert
ments. and If one fails another may be
counted on.
To the Populist the silver question is
but an experiment. 1t is true that free
coinage took pretty fast hold on the
Populists during the late campaign But
one TO give little attention TO the brain
OF the campaign could easily detect taat
II was the usual Pop argument with the
silver application ILLUSTRATIONS We're
drawn from the plutocrat The whole
IRE was directed against plutocracy-
The individual illustrations were the
RothsenIlds. the MOrGans. and some
Jews in derision of the typical Shylceks-
The argument would have been jus, as
apt had il been for the government own
ership OF natural moDopolies or in favor
Of some radical antitrust law. Silver =
with the PopuIis; only a step. only an
experiment.
However. the silver question las an
important significance in Kansas. A
number OF voters. Democrats and Re-
publlcans. supported Popuiisn on lac
silver question alone They would sIrarD
the idea III beng known a. Pops They