People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1897-09-16
QUESTIONS FOR THE REPUBLICANS


OF the present boom in the West is
undoubtedly due, in great measure,
to the large crops and higher prices,
caused by the failure of crops in other
countries" II the Republicans desire
to claim credit for the high price of
wheat they must assume responsibility
for the famine in India. Will any
Republican convention point with
pride" to the famine as an evidence
that the Republican party is redeem.
ing its campaign pledges? Will the
Republican party pledge itself to use
It's best efforts to continue the famine
abroad, as it pledged itself last year
to promote international bimetaliSm?
The most significant thing about
the Republican rejoicing over the
rise in wheat is that 10 admitting
the rise to be beneficial they answer
the arguments made last fall by the
leading advocates Of the gold standard
and plant themselves on the ground
heretofore occupied by bimetallists.
We were told last fall that an appreci-
ating dollar was a national blessing,
and yet within year the entire
Republican press is in ecstacy because
the purchasing power of a dollar has
been to some extent decreased. The
wage-earners were told last fall that
a rise in the price of commodities
would be detrimental to them, and
yet, behold, how happy the Re.
publican spellbinders are because one
great Staple-hOur-has risen.
The labOring men were told that
their wages WO1ld be virtually reduced
when it required more dollars to buy
given amount of food and clothing.
Can it be that our opponents have for
gotten the Railway Sound Money
clubs?" As soon as the employees ask
for their share Of the promised pros
perity the large employers will be
compelled to raise wages or cease
bOasting that prosperity has returned.
BIMETALLIsTS AND REPUBLICANS.
While the Republicans seem to have
come over to our position, there is
this essential difference between them
and the bimetallists: The latter
desire to raise all prices to the
bimetallic level, and then keep them
there by financial system which will
furnish standard money sufficient
in volume to keep pace with the
demand for money; the former praise
a dear dollar, but grow happy over
the cheapening of the dollar in its re-
lation to a few articles.
A general rise Quickens enterprise
for the time being, and the maintain
ing of the level, when reached, pro-
tects business in general and the pro-
ducers Of wealth in particular, from
the disastrous effects Of falling prices;
rise in few articles may bring ad-
vantage to those who produce such
articles and yet be a detriment to
those who are engaged in the produc-
tiOn Of articles which do not enjoy a
corresponding rise. A few instances
may be given: If wool rises, the wool
grower will be benefited, but the
manufacturer Of woOlen goods will
suffer unless there is corresponding
advance in the price Of woolen goods.
But an advance in the price of woOlen
goods is an injury to those who wear
woOlen goods unless they enjoy a cor.
responding increase 10 their incomes.
II sugar rises, the sugar trust reaps
the profit, but it must be at the ex.
pense OF those who consume sugar un.
less the consumers of sugar can make
enough more to cover the increased
price. Owhen wheat rises, the wheat
grower is benefited, but he profits
at tie expense Of those who use
flour unless the latter in some way
secure a corresponding increase in
their incomes. A general rise in
prices should be followed by a rise in
wages.
CARLIsLE's PAST WORDS QUOTED.
Mr.. Carlisle, in his speech of 1878
commenting upon the advantages to
be secured through the Bland act
said; Instead of constant and re-
lentless contraction, instead OF con.
slant appreciation of money and de-
probation of property, we will have
expansion to the extent Of at least
million dollars per month ard, under
its influence, the exchangable value
OF commodities, including labor, will
soon begin to rise, thus inviting in
vestment, infusing life into the dead
industries Of the country and quicken.