The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-12-17

devoted TO the pfOmOtlOn OF IarlnlnS IN
terests Of a feature which tends so much to
its discredit.
The weather bureau, now attached to the
Department of Agriculture, has continued
to extend its sphere of usefulness, and by an
uninterrupted improvement in the accuracy
of its forecasts has greatly increased it's
efficiency as an aid and protection to all
whose occupations are related to weather
conditions. Omitting further reference to
the operations Of the department, COM
mend the Secretary's report and the sug-
gestions IT contains to the careful consider
alton of Congress.
tivIl service Reform.
The progress made in civil-service reform
furnishes Il cause for the utmost congratu-
lation. There are now In the competitive
classified service upward Of eighty four thou
sand places. A most radical and sweep
order dated the 9th day Of May. 1896, and If
the fOurth-class misunderstanding be not In
cluded In the statement 1t may be said that
practically all positions contemplated by
the clvil-service law are now CLASSIFIED
National Finances aud the Tariff.
I desire to recur to the statements else
where made concerning the Governments
receipts and expenditures for the purpose
of venturing upon some suggestions touch
ing our present tariff law and It's opera
ton. This statute took effect on the 18th
day Of August, 1894. Whatever may be Its
shortcomings as a complete measure OF tar
if reform. it must be conceded that 1t has
opened the way to a freer and greater ex-'
change of commodities between us and other
countries, and thus furnished a wider mar
ket for our products and manufacturing.
The only entire fiscal year during which this
law has been in force ended the Goth day
of June. 1896. In that year our imports In
creased over those Of the previous year
more than SO, 50O,O 600, while the value OF the
domestic products we exported and which
found markets abroad was nearly $4,000
900 more than during the preceding year.
The present law. during the only complete
fiscal year of its operation, has yielded near
ly ss.OOO.0OO more revenue than was re-
ceived from tariff duties In the preceding
year. There was, nevertheless. a deficit be-
little more than $500 600. This. however.
was not unexpected. The situation was
such in December last. seven months be-
fore the close Of the fiscal year. that the
Secretary Of the Treasury foretold a deh-
cheney of SIT, 900
I believe our present tariff law. If allowed
a fair opportunity, will in the near future
yield a revenue which, with reasonably eco
monte expenditures. will overcome. all de-
ficiencies. Meantime no deficit that has
occurred or may occur need excite or dis
turb us. To meet ANY such deficit we have
In the treasury, In addition to u gold re-
serve Of 500, 100000. a surplus of more
than S12S,O00 900 applicable to the payment
Of the expenses of the Government, and
which must. unless expended for that pur-
pose, remain a useless hoard. or. II not en-
travagantly wasted. must In any event be
perverted from the purpose Of Its exaction
from our people. The payment. therefore.
of any deficiency in the revenue from this
fund is nothing NOR than its proper ana leg
ltiInate use.
1he Currency System.
l am more convinced than ever that we
can have no assured financial peace and
safety until the government currency OBJ
legations upon which gold may be demand
ed from the treasury are withdrawn from
circulation and cancelled; This might be
done, as has been heretofore recommended.
but their exchange for long-term bonds bear
ing a low rate Of Interest or by their re-
demptiOn with the proceeds OF such bonds.
Even IL only the United States notes known
as greenbacks were thus retired. 1t Is prob
able that the treasury notes issued In pay.
ment Of silver purchases under the act OK
July IA, 1890. now paid In gold when de-
mandcl, would not create much disturbance.
as they might from time to time when re.
ceived in the treasury by redemption In gold
or otherwise. be gradually and prudently.
replaced by silver coin.
In default of this plan. however, 1T would
be be, a step In the right direction Ire lion II currency cprrensy
SO redeemed. should be Cancelled Instead OF
being reissued.
National banks should redeem their own
notes. They should be allowed 10 issue cir.
culation to the par value OF bonds deposited
as security for Its redemption, and the tax
on their circulation should be reduced to
One-fOurth OF l per cent.
In considering projects for the retirement
of United States notes and treasury notes
issued under the law of 1890, l am of the
opinion that we have placed too much stress
upon the danger Of contracting the currency
and have calculated too little upon the gold
that would be added to our circulation If
invited to us by better and safer financial
methods. 1t Is not 81 much a contraction Of
our currency that should be avoided as
such unequal distribution. This might be
obviated. and any fear of harmful %contrac-
tion at the same time removed. by allow
Ing the organization of smaller banks ana
In less populous communities than are now
permitted, and authorizing banks to estab-
lish branches In small communities under
proper resirictlons.
The entire case may be presented by the
statement that the day of sensible and sound
financial methods will not dawn upon us
until our government abandons the banking
business and the accumulation of funds. and
confines its monetary operations to the re-
ceipts Of the money contributed by the peo-
pie for its support, and to the expenditure
of such money for the peoples benefit.
Our; business interests and all good citi-
Zens long for rest from feverish agitation.
and the Inauguration by the Government OF
a reformed financial policy, which Will en-
courage enterprise and make certain the re-
wards IF labor and industry.
Roast for the trusts.
Another topic in which our people right
fully take II deep interest may here be brief.
~ considered. l refer to the existence or
trusts and other huge agsregations of cap
ital, the object Of which Is to secure the
monopoly Of some particular branch Of trade,
Industry, or commerce and so sti1e whole
some competition. When these are defend
ed it is usually on the ground that though
they increase profits they also reduce prices
and thus uAay benefit the public. 1t must
be remembered. however. that Il reduction
Of prices to the people is not one Of the
rea! objects Of these organizations. nor Is
their tendency necessarily in that direc-
t!on. Their tendency Is 10 crush out lndi-
vidual independence and 10 hinder or pre-
Vent the free use Of human faculties and
the full development Of human character.
Through them the farmer. the artisan. and
the small trader is in danger of d~lslodgment
from the proud position %: being his own
master, watchful of all that touches his coun-
try's prosperity. in which he has an lndivid-
ual lot, and Interested In all that affects the
advantages OF business OF which he is Il fac
tor. to be relegated TO the Level Of a mere
appur.enance To Il great machine. with little
free will. with no duty but Of passive obedi-
cnce. and with little hope or opportunity