The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-03-11
STRONG POINTS WELL PUT.
E. Gerry Browns Discussion of
Money at New England
Town Meeting
A REMARKABLE LITTLE BOOK.

1.-THE Peoples Party has but few
followers, comparatively speaking, in
New England, but they are men of
keen minds and strong hearts, who
are able to look through the fallacies
of the daily papers and stand up bold
ly for the truth. They are the lineal
successors Of the men who threw the
British tea overheard in Boston har-
Dor. Prominent among these fearless
and heroic men is f. Gerry Brown,
who was the Populist candidate for
governor, in Massachusetts, last fall.
TO help the canvass he wrote little
book. called-"Money in Town Meet
ing," and circulated it broadcast. We
have obtained his kind permission to
publish it in THE REPRESENTATIVE,
and we shall do so, giving column or
two each week.
We omit an interesting introduce
tory chapter and commence with the
debate itself.
Those who want the book can OBJ
tain it. for 10 cents, by writing to the
Diamond Publishing Company, of
BrOcktOn, MaSs.-ED. REP.
CHAPTER II.
At the hour for which the meeting was
called, workingman who had suggested
it said to the assembly,
1--WE have gathered here to do little
thinking on the money question: and to
express our thoughts No authority need
1,N< %oI IN, rt 0f tho
that 2 and make 4; for our reasoning
faculties tell us it is true. BY the same
process certain other propositions COM
mand our recognition. Let us reason to-
gether for the good of all, the common
welfare, which is the object of good gov
ernment''
The officers of the meeting having
been selected, the minister who was
chosen to preside said
II agree with our brother who has
spoken; it is our duty to know the truth
so far as we can ascertain it, and then,
knowing the truth, to base our acts upon
it. Prove all things, and hold fast to
that which is good. Under Our American
institutions a ballot should be cast for
the principles it represents; it is a sacred
trust, and voting is the highest duty of
the citizen. In our republic the citizen
ranged this evening is that our neighbor
the banker, will maintain the merits of
the gold basis as it is called, and en-
swer questions in relation to what he
terms Sound money AS opposed to
gold basis and in favor of more money
and less misery" our friend, the editor
Of the labor paper in our village, will
champion, as he says, the rights of the
people, All present are at liberty to take
part in the debate; and the leader on
either side of the discussion wishes me
to say that he is ready to answer ques-
tions at any time. In this discussion
shall not ask for any more formality
than is essential TO preserve order. The
banker will open."
81 understand" said the banker, "that
this meeting was suggested and brought
about by this crank of an editor and
others who think they know something
about money; but it should be clear to
you all that only those who have got
money know anything about money. See
how much money handle as banker,
. but how much has the crank got? And,
as he does not accumulate money, how
can he know anything about the money
question? 1t is absurd to think that he
does!
AS the banker paused for a reply, his
thumbs sought the armholes of his vest,
and he looked about inquiringly with a
triumphant expression.
'Why is it, 1 would ask you,' said
farmer, that we receive less than half
the price we formerly received for our
wheat and our cotton?"
The banker replied, Because you have
doubled your supply with respect to the
demand, and that cuts down the price
then, too, there are improved methods of
production, and that is another cause of
over-production. In fact, 'over-produc-
tion,' in one word will explain all. You
must raise less wheat less cotton, and
live on less wheat and less cotton; and
incidentally, you might raise a little less
hell in politics by keeping away from
cranks who make you discontented."
The banker gave withering look at the
editor which turned general attention
in that direction, as he yielded the floor.
The editor said: "The saving from any
improved farming processes, or in meth
ods of transportation introduced since
1873, is inconsiderable when compared
with the fall in the price of commodities
within that period. What, for instance has
invention done for the cotton planter with
in that time? His cost of production is as
large as ever, and he receives for his
brought in 1873. His burden. in the
meantime, is increased because he bears
his proportion of debt in the cotton he
produces. While the debt demands the
same number of dollars, it takes more
cotton tOaget a dollar. Bonds and stocks.
which represent transportation facilities,
demand of him, for interest and divi-
dends, larger portion of his product as
the cost of transportation. The claim of
improved methods of production, as ex-
planatory of falling prices, is general
ity designed to deceive unthinking peo-
ple."
He paused for moment as the CONVEX
sation of two farmers on back seat be-
came audible; and one said: Il don t
know of any improved method of pro-
ducing cows; do you Joe?" The answer
was lost in the loud smile of the as
sembly.
Il would add to the fund of information