The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-12-19
TRJ1sTs AND MUNICIPALITIES.

"The latest and most dangerous ten
dency toward monopolization in this
country lies in the proposition of some
OF our most respected, but, it seems to
me, misguided citizens, to place the
power of issuing money In the hands of
private citizens or corporations. The
power to issue the currency of the
country should reside in the govern
ment alone. II such power is given to
individuals or corporations no restric-
tive laws would be strong enough to
prevent the use of that power for the
benefit of those holding it, to the detri-
ment of the people. The same tempta-
ton to create a currency demand
would arise as now arises to create a
demand for a commodity. So-called
elasticity OF the currency IN the hands
of private corporations would be an
.iride soent DREAM Its elasticity would
be measured by the financial Interests
of those who control the right to issue
1t. 1t may be q beautiful scheme in
theory, but in practice 1t would be too
much of a strain upon the cupidity OF
the recipients of such extraordinary
aud dangerous power. A monopoliza-
ton OF the currency of the country
would be the browning feat of the trust
system in this country. and Q death
knell to the prosperity and advance
ment of the people,"
The above is an extract from a
speech delivered by Judge Edward
Scarrett, of Kansas City, and Is a note
of warning to the American people as
to the great battle before them.
Judge scarFett speaks no idle words.
He is not q man that is Inquired with
demagogy. He is a broad-minded,
patriotic American citizen, aud one
whose ability outranks that of many OF
our so-called statesmen, and equal to
that Of any statesman Missouri has
ever produced,
Judge Scarrett is eminently right.
The battle of the people against trusts
and monopolies is on. In the four
remaining years of the nineteenth Gen.
fury 1t must be solved. Prosperity
will not be restored to a nation now
bending beneath the tyrannieal power
of gigantic trusts and monopolies until
the people of this country realize the
iniquitous and dangerous influence of
monopolies and crush them out OF
existence.
"Down with the trusts; up with the
people!" must be the rallying call for
the mex four years. The warfare is on.
1t must reVolutionize congress in '98,
and as its browning victory elect w. j.
Bryan president in 1900.
The influence of the trusts must not
be underestimsted, They can not be
run from the temple in q day. They
have so installed themselves that they
cannot be overthrow without effort,
and they will not loose their grasp
upon the commerce of this country
until forced to do 81 by a congress and
president inimical to their existence.
The trusts are engaged now in a
battle, and if victorious their existence
will be perpetual. Ii they ucceed In
permanently establishing the gold
standard and having the government to
''farm out" the right to issue money,
the sun of prosperity on these shores
will have forever sunk behind the
horizon of organized monopoly.
But the trusts must not succeed in
their final onslaught upon the Ameri-
can people. Such men as Judge Scar
rett, sincere of purpose, honest of con-
viction and fearless in action, must
lead the battle for the people. With
such men as be is at the helm, the ship
of state will survive the storms, and
in 1900 in o harbor of security
of liberty, equal rights to sill men, and
privileges to none.