Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-07-07

That The epithet "cheap money" as
applied to the old standard silver dollar
of the United States, is both disloyaI
and dishonest. 1t had it's origin and use
with the money shark during the war
OF the rebellion, in denouncing the legal
tender notes, and Ii is now the favorite
term Of those who want to make money
scarce and high, so they may take adj
vantage of 1t. and pay upon the neces-
stiles and distresseS OF the government
and people.
We reaffirm the doctrine Of the reso-
luton passed by a republican congress
in 1878, known as the Matthews resolu
ton, to the effect that the payment OF
all national obligations in the silver
dollar OF 412ls grains standard is not in
violation OF the public faith nor in
derogaton OF the public creditor.
We further affirm that the national
debts, having been contracted under the
legal ratio OF Is to /, the proposition
made by the republican party to make
the gold standard permanent and to
ignore the constitutional sphere OF sill
yer, is rank Reputation OF the contract,
and we therefore denounce 1t as both
dishonest and un-American.
We demand that the statute In opera
tion in Iowa for more than a generation.
strict liability for negligent injury to
employees, through the acts OF agents or
other employees, shall be restored Accord
ing to its original and beneficent spirit.
We point particularly to that part OF
the statute which unequivocally de-
clareS that mo contract which restricts
such liability shall be legal or binding"
and we especially demai:d that this
protection TO life and limb. so guaran-
teed, shall be restored, in order that II
shall not be possible for railroad COR
porations to escape liability by the in
direction of an alternative contract.
We denounce the practice OF shifting
upon the shoulders OF employees the bur-
den that properly belongs to the en-
ployer. We denounce the subserviency
Of the present legislature to corporation
demands, as proved by the defeat OF the
measure to restore this ancient right,
and, as patriotic citizens, we view with
shame and alarm the evidence these
undemocratic influences have been able
to control the state government. there.
by defeating the ends OF manifest JUS
tice.
Reduction In Salaries.
We denounce the republican party for
criminal wastefulness and eXtrava-
gance in state affairs. We charge it with
having increased the tax levy almost
so per cent, at the same time running
almost a million dollars behind on un-
paid outstanding warrants, while the
ability OF the people to pay has de-
creased fully one-half. And We demand
the reduction of all public salaries to
meet the new condition of things.
We are in favor of equal and just tax
alton, that the burdens OF government
may be borne equitably by ALL and We
are opposed to any policy that grants
special privileges to any class.
The unjust Determinations in favor OF
the moneyed aristocracy is an abuse of
the taxing power that threatens TO re-
duce the producers of wealth TO SER
vile tenancy as degrading as the feud-
ahsm of medieval times.
We favor the taxation of railroad ex-
press, telegraph, telephone and Sleep
ing car companies at rates correspond
Ing with the rates at which other prop
erty in other states is taxed.
We favor the economical administra-
tion of national. state, county and mu-
nicipal affairs and recommend retrench-
ment in expenditures, instead OF in
creased taxation, to meet the current
deficiencies in income.
We denounce in unmeasured terms
the prevailing corruption in our state
administration recently brought to
light. and we declare that the deplora-
bic and Illuminating disclosures call I'M
peratively for a sweeping change OF Of
ficials throughout.
Relying upon the ultimate wisdom
and patriotism of the people OF Iowa,
and appealing alike to their intelli-
gence, experience and moral sense, we
invite their cooperation in abridging
official malfeasance, dethroning corpor-
ate power and bringing again TO our
beloved commonwealth the blessings Of
prosperity already too long delayed.