davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Forrest City times., 1896-12-11
MONOPOLY.
Trusts and Other AggregAtions Of cap,t,,


Another topic in which our people rightfuliy
take deep interest may be here briefly con-
sldcred. refer TO the existence OF trusts and
oLher huge aggregatlons OF capital, the object
OF which Is TO secure the monopoly of some
particular branch of trade. industry or COM
neree. and TO stite wholesome competition
When these are defended 1t is usually on the
ground that. thouShthey increase prices they
also reduce prices, and thus may benefit the
public IL must be remembered. however that
q reduction Of prices 10 the peop g is not one OF
the rea objects OF these organizations nor h
their tendency necessarily in that direction.
III II occurs in a particular case it is only be-
cause IL aceords with the purposes or interests
OF those managing the scheme.
IhOugh congress has ATTEMPTED to deal with
thls matter By legislation the laws passed for
that purpose thus FAR have proved Ineffective.
not because OF any lack of disposition or ar
tempt 10 enforce them. but simply because the
laws themselves. as interpreted by the courts
90 not reach the difficulty. II the insuniciencirs
OF existing laws can be remeded by further
legislation, 1t should be done.
An appeal for Economy
In concluding this communication its last
words shall be an appeal TO the congress for
the most rigid economy In the exp nditure OF
the money IL holds IN trust for the people,
The say 10 perpiexing extravaeance Is eaSv
but return to frugaiity is difneult. When
however. 1t Is considered that those who bear
the burdens OF taxation have guaranty Of
honest care save I'm the fidelity OF their pub
nc servants, the duty OF all possible retrench-
ment is plainly manifest
When our differences are forgotten. and our
contests OF political opinion are no longer ra-
mem bered. nothing in the retrosDact Of our
Rubilc service wiil be as fortunate aud COM
torting as the recollection OF ofncIal duty we'll
performed d. and the memory Of a constant de-
swottnu w g the interests u our connding fellow
ronntry men. GROVER CLKyELAsn
Executive Mansion, December Z Id
The Forrest City times., 1896-12-11
OUR FINANCIAL SYSTEM.
Weakness and Wees of Our Present
Method.

This referen to the conditions and pros
pects OF our revenues naturally suggests an
aliusion TO the weakness and vices OF our imam
cial method They have been frequently
pressed upon the attention Of congress in
previous communications and the inevitable
danger o. their continued toleration pointed
out Without now repeating these details
can not rtfratn from again earnestly presents
Ing the necessity OF the prompt reform Of O
and shown by experience to be franght with
the gravest peril and perplexity.
Withdrawals - Gold Obligations.
:, Because we may be enjoying a temporary re-
t1ef from IT'S depressing influence, this should
not luli us into a false security. nor lead us TO
forget the sudGenness OF past yisita;ions am
more convinced than ever that we can have
no assured nnsincla peace aad safety until the
government currency obligations upon which
gold may be demanded from the treasury are
Withdrawn from circulation and cancelled
This might be done, as has been heretofore
recommended, by their exchange for long,
term bonds bearing low rate OF interest or
by their redemption with the proceeds OF such
bonus.
This plan of issuing bonds for the purpose of
redemption certainly appears to be the most
effective and direct path To the needed reform.
In default OF this, however. IL would he a step
In the right direction II currency obligations,
redeemable In gold whenever so redeemed.
should be cancelled instead OF reissUed. This
operation would be slow remedy, but IL would
Improve present conditions.
National Bank Noies.
National banks should redeem their own
lation to the par value OF bonds deposited as
security for redemption, and the tax on their
circulation should be reduced to one-fourth OF
one per cent.
In considering projects for the retirement OF
the United states notes and treasury notes IS
sued under the new law OF 1890 am of tne
opinion we have placed too much stress upon
the danger of contracting the currency and
have ca culated too little upon the gold that
would be added 70 our circul tion IL invited 10
us by better and safer financial methods. IL Is
not so much contraction OF our currency that
should be avoided as its unequal distribution
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 busl-
ness and the accumulation OF funds, and con-
fines It's monetary operations to the receipt OF
the money contributed by the people for it's
support. and the expenditure OF such money
for the peoples benefit Our BUSINESS interests
and all good cit zens long for rest from fever
ism agitation, and the inauguration by the
governments OF a reformed financial policy
which viii encourage enterprise and make
certain the rewards OF labor and industry.
The Forrest City times., 1896-12-11
DEPAKl NIENT or AGRICULTURE
Worthy of Constant Care and Encourage


The department of agriculture is so inti-
mately related to the welfare of our people and
Sao,,I1 She prosperity oL our nation that 1t
and encouragement OF the government
From small beginning it has grown to be
the center of agricultural Intelligence and the
source OF aid and announcement to agri.ul-
tural efforts. Large sums OF money are an
nually appropriated for the maintenance of
this department, and 1t must be confessed that
the legislation relating TO it has always been
directed ia the interest OF practical farming or
properly guarded against waste and extrava-
gance. SO far, however, as public money has
been appropriated fairly and sensibly to help
those who actually TIL the soil, no expenditure
has been more profitably made or more gener-
ally approved by the people.
Exports OF Farm Products.
The secretary reports that the value of our
exports OF farm products during the last fiscal
year amounted to S5iU,0O0,0O0 an increase OF
slfHOO 900 over those OF the year Immediately
preceding.
This statement Is not the less welcome be-
cause OF the faet that, Notwithstanding such in
crease, the proportion OF exported agricultural
products to our total exports OF all desclIp-
tlons fell OF during the year. The benefits OF
an increase IN agricultural products being as
total export is the more gratifying when we
consider that 1t l. owing o the fact that such
total exports for the year increased more than
s750IO,00O
Grai uitous Distribution OF Seeds
In my opinion the gratutous distribution OF
SEEDS BY the department, as at present con-
Quoted, ought to be discontinued No one can
re q the statement OF the secretary on this
subject and doubt the extravaganza and ques-
tunable results OF this practice The pro-
fessed friends OF the farmer. and certainly the
farmers themselves, are naturally expected 10
be wiling TO rad department devoted to the
promotion OF farming interests OF a feature
which tends so much TO its diseredit.
The Weather Bureau.
The weather bureau, now attached to the de-
partment Of agriculture. has continued TO ex-
leno rs sphere OF usefulness, and by an unin-
terrupted improvement IN the accuracy OF its
forecasts has greatly increase ed it's eficiency
as an ald and protection TO all whose occupa-
tions are related to weather conditions.
The Forrest City times., 1896-12-11

for its enforcement. its revision and amend-
ment appear 10 be essential, To the end that il
may more tnectually reach the evils designed
go be corrected. l hope the Recommendations
or the commission upon this subject will be
prom pity and fayorabiy considered by the con-
The Forrest City times., 1896-12-11
NATIONAL FINANCES.
Government Receipts aud Expenditures

The secretary OF the treasury reports that
during the fiscal year ended June 30 1896. the
receipts of the government from all sources
amounted TO S4O9 s75, 40s7s During the same
period its expenditures were S4346iS, ,654 49,
The excess OF expenditures over receipts thus
amounting TO S-a,-03,245 10 The ordinary ex-
penditures during the year were S40fb $50 q less
than during the preceding fiscal year. OF the
receipts mentioned there was derived from
customs the sum OF sl60Rl ,lol.67 ard from IN
ternal revenue 14e,s30.6l5 Cd The receipts
from customs show an increase OF SfS63,l54 %
over those from the same souree for the fiscal
year ended June 80, 1885. and the receipts from
Internal revenue an increase OF Sa5si,9S1sl
The Forrest City times., 1896-12-11
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.


The report Of the secretary of war exhibits
satisfactory conditions in the several branches
Of the pubic service intrustcd to his charge
The limit Of our military force, as fixed by
law, Is consta tly and readily maintained. The
present cipline and morale OF our army are
excellent and marked progress and efficiency
are apparent throughout its entire organiza-
tion.
The entire army has now been equipped with
new magazine arms. and wise policy demands
that all available pubic and private resources
should be so employed as TO provide, within q
reasonable time, sufficient number to supply
the state militia with these modern wea Dons
and provide an ample reserve for any emer-
gency.
The Forrest City times., 1896-12-11

T'he value Of our imported dutiable merchsn-
disc during the last fiscal year was $500 ~ 4so
sns .he value Of free goods imported eiD9. 1871
<7O, Se..g ar increase Of s5.5@S,o9o II TIE TIs~
The Forrest City times., 1896-12-11
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
Government PsnitentiarIes.

The attorney general presents a detailed and
interesting staten ent OF the important work
done under his supervision curing the last
fiscal year. The ownership and management
by the government Of Tenitentlsries for the
8 onfinemsnt OF the convicted in United States
courts of VIC ations OF fedora. laws, which for
many years has bcen a subject OF executive
recommendation, has at last. to a slight ex-
tent, been realized by the utilization OF
the abandoned military prison at For,
Leavenworth as United States penitentarY.
This is certainly a movement In the right
direction; but IL ought to be at once supple
mented by the rebuilding or extensive enlarge
ment OF this Impoverished prison, and the con-
structton Of at least one more, TO be located in
the southern states.
The New Salary System.
1t is most gratifying TO note the satisfactory
results that have followed the inauguration OF
the new system provided for by the act of
May 2s 1896. under which certain federal ON
cials are compensated by salaries instead ol
fees. The new plan was put in operation on
the first day of July, 1925, and already the
great economy II enforces, its prevention OF
abuses and IT'S tendency TO O better enforce
ment OF the laws are strikingly apparent. De
tailed evidence Of the usefulness or this long
delayed but now happily accomplished re-
form v III he found clearly set forth In the az
taraey generals report
The Forrest City times., 1896-12-11
The Organized Militia.

The organized militia numbers l12.s7e men,
The appropriations for its support by the sew
efal states approximate S2,s00,000 annually
and 100000 Is contributed by the general gov
ernment Investigation shows these troops
TO be usually well drilled and inspired with
much military interest, but in many instances
they are so deficient in proper arms and equip
ment that sudden call 10 active duty would
find them iHadeQuately prepared for field
service. therefore recommend that prompt
measures be taken to remedy this condition
and that every encouragement be e ven TO this
deserving body of unpaid and voluntary citi-
zen soldiers, upon whose assistance we must
largely rely In time OF trouble.
The Forrest City times., 1896-12-11
Our Coast Defenses.

During the past year rapid progress has been
mace toward the completion Of the scheme
adopted for the erection and armament of
fortlhcatlons along our sea coast, while equal
progress has been made in providing the ma
terial for submarine defense in connection
with these works.
This improved situation is largely due to the
recent generous response of congress- To the
recommendations OF the war department.
Thus we shall soon have complete about one
fifth of the comprehensive system. the first
step in which was noted in my message to the
congress OF December 4, 1872.
The experience and result of the past year
demonstrate that with continuation OF pres
ent careful methods the cost of the remaining
work Will be much less than the original esti-
mate. We should always keep in mind that OF
all forms of military preparation coast de-
tense alone Is essentially pacific in its nature
While IL gives the sense OF security due to a
consciousness OF strength. It is neither the
purpose nor the effect OF such permanent forti-
hcation TO involve US in complications, but
rather TO guarantee us against them. They are
no temptation to war, but security against it,
Thus they are thoroughly In accord with all
the traditions OF our national diplomacy
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-17
Fact, A. to Silver and Prices.
New York Worldly

When free-coinage advocates pro-
claim that the demonstration OF sill
yer in 1873 has made prices go down
ever SINCE" they ignore these facts:
The prices of farm products fell
much more in the eight years before
1873 than in the eight years following
that date.
In 1865 wheat was worth S1.95, corn
S1.31, cotton 76 cents. In 1873 these
staples were worth respectively $1.31,
62 and IS cents. The mints were open
to silver during all this time, but few
dollars were coined and none circu-
lated.
The year after decentralization"
wheat rose from $1.31 to $1.43, corn
advanced from CO to ~ cents, beef
nearly one cent and all other farm
products Except cotton) in proper
ton. Wheat did not go below $l.07
until 1854, nor cotton below 10 cents
until 1886, recovering to that figure
in 1890 and 1891.
Those who attribute the fall in
prices to the dropping from the coin
age of a non-circulating dollar ignore
these facts. They likewise leave out
of the question the factors that really
settle 1.-THE enormously increased
production both here and in other
lands. and the great decrease in the
cost of production and of transporta-
ton.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-17

$50, 400. 04S in silver, since silver dollar
would be worth only one-half gold dol
lar. With 1853 200. 4S7 of these silver dollars
they would have paid for our exports to
them giving them-as result of the
exchange-their imports from us and
$685.. 2l9, ISL in silver. This silver would be
worth in the English market one-half its
face value. or $3iS, 1897 Add to this the
difference between their exports and i'm
ports, $S3, 1870. 463. and we have $43l,600, 243,
The net gain to foreigners and correspond
ing loss to us.
How would the raiser of live stock who
sells cattle sheep and pork abroad have
liked this? How would the planter who
sells cotton abroad have liked it? How
would the farmer who sells wheat and
corn abroad have liked it? Is any patri-
otto man in this country willing to vote
for a financial policy that. by compelling
us to pay foreigners in gold for our inn
ports and to receive silver for our eX-
ports. will rob us of half the value of our
foreign trade2
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-17

Henry &. Staples Camp. No. 81 Sons
of Veterans. will hold its next meeting
Monday, Aug "a. This will be the first
meeting for several weeks for in the
summer season the sons take a vaca-
ton till September, holding only one
meeting month instead of four as
formerly At the Monday night meet
ing five members will be initiated and
several members of the National
guard. who are also associated with
the sons of veterans. will be the guests
of Henry G. Staples Camp.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-17

y young lady received a mysterious
registered package at the postofiice
the other day. She signed her name
and eagerly tore open the paper. The
only thing in it was one of the popular
buttons made to wear like an emblem
love me. grin" The young lady was
little bit indignant at first, as we'll as
puzzled concerning who had sent it to
her. She concluded To grin. however.
and grin where 1t is likely to do the
most good.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-17
The Wage Farmers Interest.
(Manchester Union, Dem.)

The report of the Senate Fl
nance committee in 1898, embracing
the subjects of prices and wages in
this country during a period of fifty
two years, gives in reliable form and
easy of access facts of experience as
to the results upon labor of a deprecia-
ton of currency. When specie pay
ments were suspended during the war
the prices of merchandise appreciated
rapidly in proportion to the premium
on gold, but wages not only followed
at slower pace. but for years did not
equal the rise in value of the neceS-
stiles of life. In the report above
alluded to, it is shown that in 1862 the
wages of labor paid in the then moder-
ately deprecated currency were not
quite three per cent. higher than the
gold rates previously paid, but that
the prices of 223 articles of daily con-
sumption were nearly IS per cent
higher; in 1863 when paper money was
worth SO cents as compared with go.u,
wages of labor We're 1912 per cent.
higher than when paid in gold, but the
prices of food clothing, etc, were
nearly 40 per cent. higher; in 1864 with
the paper dollar worth 40 cents, wages
of the necessaries of life had advanced
901a per cent; in 1865 with the paper
dollar worth GO cents, wages showed a
gain of AZ per cent, but the prices of
merchandise an advance of III per
cent, having thus more than doubled;
in 1866 with the greenbacks worth Il
cents on the dollar wages recorded an
advance of a fraction more than 80
of 80 per cent.
This was but the practical proof of
a well established principle and a SINH
lar result would certainly follow an
other depreciation of the currency, in
whatevermanner it was brought about.
But the conditions noted under circum-
stances unusually favorable to labor:
million men We're drawn from the
fields of active industry but remained
consumers. while the waste of mate
rial caused by the war made a huge
gap to be filled. 1t was not until 1869
or seven years after the suspension of
special payments, that the rise in the
rate of wages corresponded with the
rise of prices in other things and when
1t had become we'll understood that the
paper currency would be eventually
fully redeemed in gold
1t is well for the wage earners to
come to the realization of the fact that
they are really more vitality interested
In preserving the stability of our cur
rency than are property owners. Mer-
chandiSe. rents and all for which the
laborer has to spend his earnings will
increase under depreciation out of all
proportion to the advance in wages
ana 1t Will be long and distressing
period before their relationship shall
be re-established upon a fair footing.
The proportional heaviest portion of
the burden proposed will not come
upon the employer and capitalist but
upon the employee. and the latter
should be very slow to favor any course
that would cause the purchasing power
OF their hard earned dollars to grow
less.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-17
A Warning to the Debtor Glass.

louisville Courier-JOurnal. Dem.)
The present free silver movement is. to
a large extent an attempt by a number
of men, who consider themselves the poor.
to use the law-making power vested in
the majority so as to conflscate Tor their
benefit part of what belongs to those
whom they call rich. namely. forty-seVen
per cent of all the paper or silver money
and of all bonds. notes or accounts be-
longing to the latter. The men who count
themselves of the debtor class. and on
that ground advocate debasement of
the money standard, have many plausible
reasons to give why their debts should be
scaled, reasons can be given Tor any
course of spoliation or confiscation.
But who are the men whom a scaling OF
all debts would relieve? We are told by
the silverites that they are farmers. VINO
own fields that are mortgaged; CITY men
who OWE houses and lots not fully paid
for. They are very far from the bottom
of the social scale; they belong much
nearer to the upper than to the lower
rungs of the ladder that leads from pov-
erty to wealth. Beneath them are, IN the
country, the farm hand. the woodchop-
per- the tenant on shares, the Sand-hiller
and mountaineer. whose little plot is not
mort gagged because it has no salable
value; in the cities and towns, the great
mass of laborers and mechanics and
clerks. who live from hand to mouth
and have never been able TO make even
the first payment on house or lot
These are the real havenots; If they owe
a debt. it cannot be enforced against
them, thanks to our liberal exemption
laws: and they can gain nothing by the
proposed cutting in half of all existing
debts Their votes may swell those of the
debtor class" but they will soon find
that they have rather lost than proiitcd
by the result. Their innings will come
next: after Bryan comes CoNey; after re-
pudiation. communism.
AT present the great mass of the work
ing men of the United States, whether
owning or not owning property. are true
to the American system of law and Or
der. But if the idea of law be once per-
verted by a decree that every man may
and shall defraud his creditor, why
should we expect greater fairness and
moderation from the poorest class than
has been shown by those in far better
circumstances?
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-17
Sl00 REWARD.

Complaint has reached tho
JOURNAL that papers delivered to
tho doorWays of subscribers on
Water street have been stolen dur
ing the last few days. We will cav
one hundred dollars in cash for
the arrest and conviction or for
evidence that will lead to the ar
rest and conviction Of any thief
stealing the journal from our sub
scribers in any part Of the city.
BuRLElCH d FLYNr,
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-17
One Result Of the Wilson Bill.
(Waterville Mail.)

No section of Maine feels the result
of the Wilson bill more than Somerset
county where for years have been the
best tiocks of high bred sheep in the
State. Now those flocks are dwindlcd
to small proportions and some farm
ers have gone out of the sheep bust
ness entirely. In one town where five
years ago there were over 60OO sheep
worth $3.50 a head, this year the as
SCISSORS return 1856. at an average
value of Sill each.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-17

CARDS OF THANKS. OBITUARY
NOTICES. RESOLUTIONS OF RE
SPECT, ETC, vii, be charged At the
rate OF ten cents per line. No charre.
less than seventy-flve cents.
ALL ADVERTISING ANNOUNCE.
MESTS OF ENTERTAINMENTS vho1.
OBJECT Is the raising Of money will b
charged at the rate of fifteen cents 4 lima
ADVERTISING NOTICES, news form.
VIII be excluded from our local column
except such as refer to advertisers occu-
lying space In cur advertising columns.
'hd VIII be run under separate head
on one Of the local pages.
subscribers who fail to receive the
JOURNAL promptly will confer . favor
oy notifying the Office Immediately.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-08-17

Letters received the past week from
along the Maine coast. says the Portland
Transcript. show that the increase of
Holsters, from the protection now given
them by the law, has been large At one
point alone 1t is claimed that there are
three times as many large Holsters and
six times as many small as one year ago
At this rate of increase it will not be
be again found on all tables. In fact
there is no reason why dealers should not
sell at low prices. A sort of syndicate
has held OH for higher prices. allowing
around Portland and along the coast.
HOLSTERS should be kept only short time
in confinement, otherwise they become
unheaithful food