The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-06-11
SHAM PROSPERITY.
The Fair State of Ohio Suffering
from its Own Folly-Failures by
the Score Since Election Day
Workingmen Have Their Wages
Cut and Poverty is Widespread

III n opUHttti gives piluellC ACCOUNTS
OF the tide of prosperity" as it affects
the great State of Ohio, which in the
last election cast its votes to elect Nc
Kinley President of the United States,
deluded by the hue and cry of the
prosperity prophets, hoodwinked by
the promises Of better times and plen-
ty, coming even from the lips of the
candidate himself as he stood in front
of his home in Canton, as he addressed
the STORES of wOrkmen who came in
large delegations from the manufacture
log centers on free Interpretations to
hear him and pledge him their sup
port. He told them that the mere
election of the Republican candidates
was sufficient in itselpto open wide the
gates of the half closed factories. give
them more work with increased pay,
aud restore that confidence in the gov
eminent which had been SO sadly be-
trayed and shaken by the then Dem
orratic party. He told them this
and other things that made the poor,
misguided workmen shout aud cry out
for a change. Mckinley touched their
hearts when he talked of better times;
anything that would change their con-
dition aud make them able to earn IA
living for themselves and families. So
they carried the Mckinley and Pros
perity banner on high aud supported
him at the polls. Now they would
tear them to shreds with eager hands
and gladly undo the mad folly OF seven
months ago. But their chance was
then, not now. They listened to empty
words and were carried away by the
impulses of the moment. They see the
cruel facts staring them in the face and
starvation at the door. Wages have
been reduced aud failures meet their
gaze on every hand. Mr.. Creelman says
in his article that the figures of debt
aud failure IN Ohio since January LIST,
will reach $4,000 600, aud this three
months after Mckiuley's Inauguration,
when, according to the papers of the
politicians, millions of dollars were
waiting TO be invested in new enter
prises as soon as the news of Bryan's
defeat was heard. Manufacturers, they
said, were unable to make contracts
owing to the lack of confidence in bust
ness generally and they only awaited
a Republican victory to open the mila
and factories aud shower work upon
the poor. But things are very differ
ent from this golden era. On every
hand cries of distress 90 up and the
whole commonwealth is Frustrated.
EreH the knOWiedge that the tariff bill
l0W soon become TAR does not seem
to affect the steady dounfdU Of trade
and agriculture, and naturally suffer-
ing and failures result Their land has
deprecated one half in value and since
the election 10 per cent. more has been
added to the decline Mortgages bring
ing no interest are boarded up, holders
fearing that foreclosure will fail to
bring even their face value. In Nc
kipley's own county alone the amount
of bond given in cases of assignment
since January LIST, 1897, aggregate $685.
500, which being double the amount of
Liabilities brings the sum to S2l9, $50.
This is very prosperous showing.
Mr.. Creelman, to use his own words,
says:
81 was at Caution to-day and walked
about the very spot where hundreds of
thousands of workingmen heard Mr..
Mckinley proclaim from the wooden
stage erected in front of his house that
the defeat of Bryan would reopen the
closed factories, raise wages, give every
one work, restore the days of plenty and
security to the farmers and give the
merchant a chance to live. | talked
with many representative citizens, and
they all told the same story-hard
times, suffering, bankruptcy.
''IHere has nerer been dnythinQ like
this IN Ohio BEFORE" said Mayor Rice.
Of Canton, "Ihere are hundreds OF
families IN Canton today tUho are SUI
teri'tg for ,0dnt Of food and clothing."
Things are getting worse. In three
months this year | have spent ont of
my private purse for food aud clothing
to give away, more than my years
salary as Mayor
The factories are cutting down
wages and reducing their forces. Many
of them are not operating more than
three days a week; most of them are
running without profit"
Ohio is considered one of the most
highly favored manufacturing and in
dustrial States in the Union. It's many
millions of dollars capital is invested
in large enterprises that furnish work
to thousands aud bring in the glitter
ing sheckles to the bullying pockets of
the owners. Her towns are populOus
and there are many of them. Many
depend upon the home industries for
work or trade, and would be compelled
to close business or starve at the close
down of factories. But the wave of
prosperity that is now surging over
Ohio is tidal wave and threatens TO
engulf the helpless laborers and their
families, and those who till the soil in
its voluminous current. 1t is an I'M
disputed fact-these incidents which
we narrate and are vouched for by
men of reputation and trustworthiness.
Even the Republican journals that
give the news unbiased tell the same