The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1896-09-17

ed against both, and national safety, as
well as domestic security, is to be found
in the careful observance of the limi-
tations which they impose. 1t will be
noticed that while the United States
guarantees to every State republican
form of government, and Is empowered
to protect each State against invasion,
it is not authorized to interfere In the
domestic affairs of any State, except
upon application of the Legislature of
the State, or upon the application of
the Executive, when the Legislature
cannot be convened. This provision
rests upon the sound theory that the
people of the State, acting through
their legally-chosen representatives,
are, because of their more intimate
acquaintance with local conditions,
better qualified than the President to
judge of the necessity for Federal in
reference. Those who framed our
Constitution 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 ex-
pressing distrust of the people them
selves.
PUBLIC ECONOMY.
"Since government exists for the
protection of the rights of the people,
and not for their spoliation, no expen-
dlture of public money can be justified,
unless that expenditure is necessary
for the honest, economical admlnistra-
ton of the government. In determin-
ing what appropriations are necessary,
the interests OF those who pay taxes
| should be consulted rather than the
wishes of those who receive or disburse
public moneys.
BOND ISSUES.
can increase in the bonded debt of
the United States at this time is en-
tirely without excuse. The issue Of
interest-b bearing bonds within the last
few years has been defended on the
! ground that they we're necessary to
secure gold with which to redeem
United States notes and Treasury
notes but this necessity has been i'm
aginary rather than real. Instead of
exercising the legal right vested in the
| United States to redeem its bonds in
either gold or silver, the Executive
| branch of the government has followed
a precedent established by former,
administration, and surrendered the
option to the obligations. This ad-
minlstratiYe policy leaves the govern
met at the mercy of those who find
pecunlary profit in bond issues. The
fact that the dealers in money and
securities have been able to deplete or
protect the Treasury according to their
changing whlms shows how dangerous
it is to permit them to exercise con
trolling influence over the Treasury
Department.
ssThe Government ct the United
States, when administered in the inter
est of all the people, Is able to establish
and maintain its own financial policy
not only without the aid Of any oppo
sition which the syndicates may exert
To assert that the government is de
pendent upon the assistance or goo
will OF portion of the people, othe
than constitutional majority, Is to as
| sert that we have government IN form
: but without vital force.
$ NATIONAL BANK CURRENCY.
"The position taken by the platforr
against the issue OF paper money b
Il national banks is supported by tn
highest Democratic authority, as we
az demanded by the interests OF tn
Z people. The present attempt OF tt
J. national banks to force the retirement
u United States notes and Treasury note
e in order to secure basis for larger
n sne Of their own notes, illustrates tt
a. danger which arises from permittlr
them to issue their paper as a clrcula
iro medium. The national bank not
7e being redeemable in lawful money, d
to never been better than the Unlt'
~ States note which stands behind 1t, al
N vet the banks persistently demand tn
nj these United States notes, which ORA
e. no interest, shall give place to lntere
n bearing bonds, In order that the Dan
IN NAV collect the interest which the pc
ple now save. To empower nation
- HANKS to issue circulating notes Is
he grant a valuable privilege to a favor
h class, surrender to private corporate
nd the control over the volume OF paE
of money, and build Zip class which "
Nv. claim a vested interest In the natlol
10 nolicy. The United States notes. co
he monty known as greenbacks, beng
of deemable in either gold or silver at