The broad ax., 1896-03-28

It is possible to conceive Of bankel
possessing large ability and great In
fuence, and observing that his coun
Try suffers because its finances are II
disorder, coming forward, fmpelled by
feelings Of patriotism. to offer, without
hope of money reward, his advice and
his assistance In the work Of restoring
order and confidence. Such a man
performing such a service, would de-
serve and would receive honor from
hts countrymen. The land is hlled
with bankers, great and small; but
where among them appears figure OF
this kind in the present crisis? In
stead there looms up before a nation
bewildered and befooled by the public
press quite another figure. 1t is that
OF the variety Of banker who first pro-
cures the rejection OF one Of the money
metals: who then instructs the dull
witted people that there can be no
other sound money than the remaining
metal; who then proceeds to corner the
gold, which could not have been cor
nered had silver been retained; and
who, finally, making the treasury OF
the United States his victim and the
peace and honor Of ths county his
plaything, proceeds to gorge himself
with the profits Of his thimble-rigging
operations. With one hand he creates
panic; with the other he despoils tie
wealth-producers of the fruits of their
toll. He intimidates the newspapers;
he cows other bankers who wish to be
decent and honest; he DULLES members
Of congress so that they dare not speak
In defense Of their constituents; he
creates reign Of terror in which It Is
hardly safe for a free American citizen
even to hint at the fact that his policy
Is that of the brigand and the thief.
In truth, the performances of Captain
Kidd were the most frolicsome gam
bols OF an innocent child compared with
the plundering of this bandit who
makes the prosperity OF great nation
bis prey, and the treasury of the rich
est country In the world a mere con- |
duit to turn into his pocket the gains |
6lched from the possession of honest |
men.
The banker performs a most useful |
function In modern society. No Judi
cious man will complain If, while en-
gagged In lending money at reasonable
interest, men who are in that business
shall acquire good share of the wealth
created by the labor OF others. Many
bankers are just as good men and just
as good and loyal citizens as other men,
and are as incapable of doing a dis
honorable or unpatriot!c act. But the
banking class suffers just now in popu-
lar esteem because, as a class, 1t has
rallied to the support of the nefarious
gold system, and because 1t gives at
least tacit approval to the great money
sharps In the large cities who have
rugged the treasury for their personal
advantage. These big bankers ap-
pear to terrorize the smaller bankers,
as they do the public newspapers and
Of congress; and meantime all
The banking interest, too eager for gain,
nanifests anxiety to obtain for itself
control Of the money issues Of the coun-
TT, which should remain in the hands
'f the government. The notion, assid-
1ously urged, that a man, because he is
banker, knows more about these
.htngs than other men, is conspicuous
y absurd. The general run of bank
rs Is composed Of men Of very moder-
tie ability. Some bank presidents are
lardly able to write letter containing [
orreet syntax and photography. But, I
whether they be wise or foolish, II Is ,
10 part Of their business to undertake r
o direct, single handed, the finances Q
4 the nation; and the people will not I
ave II. II TIE bankers had real wis 6
ON they would perceive that their '
rue advantage is in promoting the b
rosperity OF the wealth producers and Il
refraining from increasing the pop- 2
lar feeling OF antagonism to banks o
nd bankers. We say to them that Mr.. a
ieveland's recent performances and 4
he rapacious greed Of certain powerful y
ankers have not only done more than
nytning else to hasten the overthrow
the gold system, but also to create
lsilke OF bankers which may bear bit II
4 fruit at an early day in the shape of Ct
'stiie iegislation.-The Manufacturer. tC