The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-09

depicted would bcfall us, " reasonable
period could be agreed upon in which 10
change from our present system
NOW | may be afflicted with paresis.
but so far as we are informed Paul the
Apostle never suffered I'm that way. He
was particularly gifted as well as inspr-
ed. and one OF his most emphatic and
pointed utterances was a command ad-
dressed TO tho Romans. TO owe no Man
Anything Now mark you. that this Is
the command. the cxhortation. the In
junction Of an eminent scholar. ana
man endowed with divine inspiration.
This command has come down to us
through the ages losing nothing OF It's
wisdom, and Is as pertinent and applica-
Bile to-day TO the affairs of men, as
when spoken by Paul Now II it was
wrong TO owe a debt in the days Of Paul.
II is wrong TO day.
PRINCIPLES DO NOT CHANGE
A distinguished writer has said that
human nature has been the same in all
ages. In spite of the veneer of culture.
This is true beyond dispute. and no doubt
the same greed. the same desire TO get
something for nothing the same lust for
gold. that We possess to day was part
OF the Roman character. nearly two thou
sand years ago: and this deplorable phase
OF human nature IS really the basis Of
the borrower. will put him largely in the
power Of the lender. Paul observing and
knowing this. commanded that we get
on cash basis and therefore be safe
from vexing probabilities.
The logical deduction from this is that
there must be some moral wrong, bust
ness imprudencc or both. i'm merely ow-
ing a debt. There cannot be a debtor
unless there be a creditor. and If wrong.
or imprudencc attaches. both are neccs-
sarily participants. The creditors share
in the wrong that he has placed the
debtor unduly i'm his power. and may
cause the debtor 10 do some other man
an injustice to obtain the means to save
himself. The creditor may be honorable
and lcnient. taking no undue advantage
OF his power. yet the fact remains that
the debtor is i'm his power. and this power
may be called into action TO suit the whim
or caprice Of the creditor Experience
teaches that the great majority of money
lenders are Shylocks. and not philan-
tbTOpists. and the great majority of debt
ors pay the pound Of flesh
The debtors share i'm the wrong is that
with his own hands he has forged the
chains that most probably Will bind him
self and those dependent upon him 10
the cherries abode Of poverty. In great
measure he has sacrificed his self-reli-
ance and independence. and his spirit and
energy are proportionately enfeebled. IL
may be that his creditor Is a righteous
restored TO his debtor his pledge" but
even under these rare circumstances the
debtor is in every sense a debtor still,
being the receiver Of unearned benefits.
which necessarily degrade his manhood.
From this il appears that debt in itself
Is imprudent and injudicious on the part
Vt the debtor, and opens a wide field IN
which the creditor may take undue adj
vantage Of his fellow mans necessities.
THE COUNTRY AT LARGE.
RUt LET discard this part of the sub
iect which has dealt with the individual,
and let us examine the effects Of a change
upon the country at large.
1t is generally conceded that we would
have but few failures. and certainly no
widespread panics If business was on
cash basis. If money could not md Sc
cure investment in bonds. notes, securi-
ties and other evidences Of debt ii would
per force of circumstances seek invest
ment in industrial enterprises
The volume of business would be largely
increased. because the vast sums Of
money now earning from TO per cent.
business. earn from 10 to -. The laborer
would be employed and be in demand at
fair wages. our factories and mines
would be worked their full capacity. and
''Pactoler's streams would irrigate the
parched fields of trade.
We are informed by business men that
the cause of the present hard times IS
that money has gone into hiding on &C
count Of unsettled conditions, and that
If confidence was restored that the safety
deposits and vaults would open their doors
and pour their contents into the usual
channels of trade. and that general and
abundant prosperity would follow.
This is all true: but can you imagine
a better way TO restore to a man conf
dence in his business and in his customers
than to satisfy him that he will get cash
for what he has To sell? In every news
paper there are accounts Of failures;
der a cash system there would be no col
lectlons to make as the goods would be
paid for when purchased.
Under this system there would be an
immense saving to people by the ineNita-
BILE collapse of courts. which would be
no longer necessary for the collection of
debts.
ABOLISH LEGISLATURES.
There would be very little work for the
Legislatures 10 do and their cost could
be materially diminished.
There would be a return TO Democratic
simplicity in living the severest economy
in the administration of the government
the abolition of all sinecures. and fat
offices for political sycophants, and a
general adoption of the principles of equi-
ty, and fair dealing.
Under this system the promotion Of
men would be dependent upon character
and ability. and not upon pull or the
value of property resources.
The rich merchant would say TO the
honest struggling young man: Take
these goods, sell them, and we will divide
the profits
The contractor the mine owner, the
ship builder, the capitalist and men en-
gagged in every department of trade would
put the same premium on character. and
then would be a realization of ,he truth
that "a good name is rather 10 be chosen
than great riches
OF course, every country and every age
will have a large number of idle, thrift
less people, who will not reach out their
hands either to SOW or reap. Changed
governmental conditions will not effect
them. and they Will continue on as they
have lived TO the end of the last chapter.
They are the tares growing with the
wheat
At this point a sable hued individual
appeared, and yelled out " Bus TO the
union deppo." The newspaper man grab
bed his hat and said: Got TO go up the
road and get a political meeting. or the
old man will do war dance on me"
and he was gone.
Did you ever listen TO such "A cOnfound
ed young IDIOT" said the banker
His ideas are perfectly absurd; he Is
worse than an anarchist. he should be
suppressed" said the lawyer
An old man who had made lots Of money
selling goods for cash was sitting nearby,
He quietly remarked: Dot young fellah
was a smardt man. CAB.
Pronrietor-"What are you taking back,