The Columbus journal., 1896-09-16
RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.
THEY ARE ORGANIZING TO FIGHT
FREE SILVER.

An Over the Country b Men Who De-
psnd On the Railroads for . Living Are
DeelsFing for SQUAD Asoey-Isgical Ar.
gunsnt for the Wage EaR.sr.
The clerks and other employees Of the
railroads here are organizing q sound
money club to fight free silver. Mis-
si0nary work will be set on foot and
the work will be energetically carried
On.
These clubs are being organized all
over the country. The total num0er
Of railroad employees in the United
States is In the ~neigb0rhood Of SOC, 900.
It Ia thought by those who are inter-
ested in the organization O. sound
money clubs among these employees
lat before the campaign is over there
will be 1000 such clubs.
While the arguments used among
railroad men are especially applicable
to them, the logic Of the arguments Is
applicable to all wage earners. There
Is no class of wage earners who would
suffer more under free coinage than
railroad employees. This would apply
to the general manager as well as to
the more humble flagman at q cross
ing. The railroads are probably the
largest debtors. outside of the banks.
In the country. They owe many mil
lions Of dollars for which they have
given their mortgage bonds. When
they borrowed this money they got 1t
in gold or its equivalent. Seventy
i've per cent. of these bonds are In
terms payable, principal and interest.
in golR And with the premium ON
gold that would be one of the first e
suits Of free coinage. the gold debt OF
the railroads. would be increased to
just that extent.
On the contrary the railroads would
not only have to accept from passen-
gers and shippers q 53-cent dollar.
but would not be able to change the
rates. as these are generally fixed by
law. The upshot Of 1t all would be
that the fixed charges Of the road
would be doubled while tneir earnings
would at lest remain where they are.
Under these circumstances they
could hardly be expected to increase
wages, and these wages would be paid
in 53-cent dollars. Even II the roads
could stand this strain and would not
be compelled. many Of them. to reduce
the number Of employees. those en-
ployes would still be working for the
old wages while the prices Of every
necessity of life would be rapidly
doubling.
While this presentation Of the case
applies with special force to railroad
employees, the logic Of the argument
applies to every wage Garner. II the
wages Of some Of them should 20 up,
they will find that the prices Of cloth
Ing. furniture and food would 60 up
ten times as fast. and ten times as
high.-Columbus (O.)Dispatch.
Mr. Free sIver, IL
Laborer-"Mr. Free Silver. II 1t ID 80
hard for m to ind any chance to earn
enough to buy . bushel Of potatoes
now, how will it help me to have the
pcice Of q bushel doubled?"
FArmer-"Mr. Free Silver. II It Is so
hard for me to ind any man to buy
my bushel Of potatoes now. how will
It help me by charging him twice a
much Is I nm now Offering them at!'
Mine Owner-'Nr. Free Silver, II you
are going to give those fellows q 50
cent dollar. how are you going to keep
your promise to me to double the price
Of my bulli0n?'
Debtor-"Nr. Free Silver. IL you are
going to double the prices Of the bull
ion of those silver kings how are you
going to keep your promise to me that
I can pay my debts ut 50 cents on the
dollar?"
Old Soldier-'Nr. Free Silver. II
debtors are to be given the chance to
pay what they owe at 80 cents On the
dollar. how can I get more than half
at the pension which Uncle Sam owes
met"
rnaneier-"Nr. Free Silver, II you
are going to make . 100-cent dollar.
Why not . the present dollar. II
you are going to change the present
dollar. Why trade It for one worth not
haHf N Ruehe -