Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1896-10-16
AN OBJECT LESSON.
..what We Need Is Confidence"
The Nan Who Worked for Hayes.

The national debt has not decreased
one cent since 1868. Measured in the
commodities of the country, it is even
more burdensome today than it was
when the people first awoke (three years
after the war) to its magnitude.
In other words, it would take as many
bushels Of corn, as many bales of cotton.
or as many bushels OF wheat, to wipe
out the bonds now, as it would when, on
the face, they called for 81, 800, ,0OO, 900.
Mrs. Mary Hobart. the well-known
analytical writer on economic subjects,
gives a pat illustration OF this in the fol-
lowing story:
'John Smith, who worked for Mr..
Hayes. the manufacturer, bought a
house from his employer. His wages
were 50. so day, and he agreed to pay
49, 500 for the house in five annual pay
ments. At the outset. then he owed
Hayes just 1000 days work. Just about
that time silver was demonetized and, in
effect, one-half the money Of the country
was destroyed. OF course the remainder
gradually appreciated in value. as the
scramble for it became more intense. At
the expiration of twelve months, after
Smith had paid the first installment, his
wages were reduced to 81 per day be-
cause Hayes commodities goods he
manufactured-comm lower price
in the market. Hayes was not to blame,
lit was the system; but, although the
workman had paid $500, he still owed
1000 DAYS work. Smith had a hard
time the next year, but by stopping his
daughters music and scaling his other
expenses. he managed to save the $500
essential to the preservation of his hone,
and paid 1t on time.
'''Prlces in the meantime had steadily
declined. and Hayes. who was good
man, was forced BY the system to again
reduce his employees wages this time to
vi 80 Il day. Smith had now paid 81 1000
and still owed 1000 days work.
''Smith became discouraged, bNt Mrs.
Smith had her heart set On paying off
the N ortgage and Insisted that she should
take in washing till her object was ao-
cemplished. She did 50, and at the end
Of the year another pavment was made
IA paoic set in. Hayes. after deduct
ing the interest on the money invested IN
his plant. was actually snaaufactaring
goods at a loss. 1t would have paid ham
to shut down his factory, but he was a
conscientious. man and did not feel jasti-
fed in turning his employees adrift. So
he said to Smith and others, What we
need. men, is a restoration Of confidence
in this country. and as soon as we get a
seunder money we'll have it. II you'll
stand by me I'll go ahead and we'll suffer
together, but you'll have to work for 81
u day ...
''Smith had now paid Sl,500 on his
home. and still owed 1000 days work.
HE saw no way out OF his difficulties,
so. in fit of despondepcy he up and
hanged himself. HIS generous employer
buried him, and. as his widow realized
that she would be unable to meet
the payments IN the future. she
threw up the contract aad moved into
fat. The first night she spent in her
new home. she had dream. She saw
her husband on the streets of the New
Jerusalem. and heard him singing:
when I've been here ten thousand years
Bright, shining as the sun,
I've no less days to work for Hayes,
Than when first begun E-s