Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-09-11

not Tor their 6poiiation no expenditure
OF public money can be justified un-
less that expenditure il Necessary for
the honest, economical and efficient
administration OF the government. In
determining what appropriations are
necessary the interest of those who pay
the taxes s,sould be consulted, rather
than the wishes Of those who receive
Or disburse the public moneys.
An increase in the bonded debt OF
the United States at this time is en-
tirely without excuse. The issue of
| interest-bearing bonds within the last
rev years has been defended on the
ground that they are necessary to Sc
cure gold with which to redeem United
states notes and treasury notes, but
this necessity was imaginary rather
| than real Instead of exercising the
legal rights vested in the United StaAs
| TO redeem its coin in either gold or
| oliver, the executive branch of the gov
| eminent has followed Il precedent es-
tabiished by former administration
| and surrendered the option to the hold
er of the obligations. This administra-
| tive policy leaves the government at
1 the mercy of those who find n pecuni-
| airy profit in bond issues. The fact
| that the dealers in money and securi-
| Ties nave Deen dple TO uef}iste OF pro-
| tect the treasury according to the
changing whims, shows how dangerous
1t is to permit them to exercise con-
trolling influence of the treasury de-
| partmcnt.
| In Spite of Opposition.
The government of the United States
| when administered in the interests OF
all the people is able to establish and
g. - 4.
| without the aid of syndicates, but in
spite of any opposition which syndi-
| Gates may present. To assert that the
government is dependent upon the
good will or assistance of any portion
Of the people other than a cofstitu-
tional majority is to assert that We
have n government in form but with
out vital force.
The position taken by the platform
against the issue of paper money 10y
national banks is supported by th'
highest Democratic authority, as wei
as demanded by the interests of thu
; | people. The present attempt of thu
: national banks to force the retiremen
OF the United States notes and treas
| ury notes in order to secure a basi
for larger issue of their own notes
Illustrates the danger which arise
| from permitting them to issue thei
paper as circulating medium. TIL
national bank notes, being rcdeemabl
, in lawful money, has never been bet
, ter than the United States note whicl
stands behind it, and yet the bank
, persistently demand that these Unite
States notes which draw no interest
. shall give place to interest hearing
, bonds in order that the banks may col
, lect the interest which the people nov
save. To empower national banks t
: issue circulating notes Is to grant
valuable privilege to a favored class
surrender to private corporations tn
, control over the volume of pape
. money. and build up n class which wi
claim a vested interest in the nation
q financial policy.
/, Safer and Cheaper.
Il Our United States notes. conmonl
= known as greenbacks, being redcema
BILE in either gold or silver a: ,he or
- ton OF the government and rot at IN
z option of the holder, are safer an
. cheaper for the people than nations
I bank notes based upon interest-beal
ing bonds.
@ a dignified but firm maintenance {
the foreign policy first set forth b
= President Monroe and reiterated by til
r presidents who have succeeded hin
z instead of arousing hostility abroad.
II the best guarantee of amicGhle rela
=. tons with other nations. 1t is bette
for all concerned that the Unite
4 States should resist any extension
n European authority in the wester
II hemisphere rather than invite the cor
"a tinual irritation which would necessa,
lily result from any attempt to increa.
the influences of monarchical instit,
tons over that portion of the Amer
'e cas- which has been dedicated to r,
III publican government.
/ No nation can afford to be unjust
u its defenders. The care of those WI
II have suffered injury in the milital
IL and naval service of the country is
sacred duty. a nation which. like Il
re United States. relies upon vcluntal
10 service rather than upon n large stan
- ing army, adds to it's own securi
II when it makes generous provisions (
u those who have risked their lives
lie its defense. and for those who are &
Is pendent upon them.
y The Producers of Wealth.
Labor creates capital. Until veal
is produced by the application of bra
g and muscle to the resources of Il
| is EolnlnS TO dlNl
among the non-producing classes
% society. Since the producers
:" wealth create the nations prospect
in time of peace, and defend the n
~, TONS flag in time of peril, their int,
ests ought at all times to be consi
cred by those who stand in official r
sitions. The Democratic party h
~. ever found its voting strength amo
'I those who are proud to be known
~ the common people. and it pledges
%, self to propose and enact such leg
lation as is necessary TO protect I
. masses in the free exercise of every ,
JIG ltiCal right and in the enjoyment
their just share of the rewards of tn
labor.
he / desire to give special emphasis
as the plank which recommends such Il
IN, islation as is necessary to secure
lal arbitration of differences between c
", ployers engaged in interstate co
rV- merce and their employees. Arbitrat
ley now idpa-it Si,