The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-12-16
The New Questions.

1t grows every day more apparent that
old questions which have in the past few
years agitated the public mind to its pro-
foundest depths are to be temporarily
pushed aside by the events growing out
of the Spanish war, which increase in
magnitude and absorbing importance as
the nation comes i'll closer contact with
them. The increase of the navy aud re-
organization Of the army are alone suf-
fcient to engross most of the time allot-
ted TO what is left of the present congress
and the next.
In connection with these is the problem
of the Philippines and Cuba which are
only beginning to make themselves felt.
The question of expansion" is destined
to claim the greater part of the time and
attention allotted to the remainder of
McKinley's term. The money question,
which Mr.. Mckinley would gladly dodge
any further meddling with, from present
appearances will be given long rest. 1t
is safe to say that the financial question is
destined to remain in status quo for the
next two years. The bankers trust want
the greenbacks destroyed and their bank
currency given free swing, but present
indications are that they will not be able
to have their wishes gratifed.
The disbursements caused by the neces-
sites of the war set large sum of money
into active circulation for war materials,
clothing, tents, provisions, supplies for
the medical department and various
causes incidental to the necessities of war.
Large contracts were filled and no stint of
the outlay of money was practiced, but
rather money was expended. by the gov
eminent with a lavish hand. This money
was of course taxes collected from the
people, but it was Immediately put into
circulation and reached every branch of
trade. After all it is the rapid circulation
of money that creates activity in business,
employs labor and creates what the par
lance of the time is pleased to term pros
perity. The bountiful wheat crop and
unusual rise in the price Immediately
preceding the war created activity in bus
mess in several branches of trade and did
much to move business from the stagnant
condition into which it had settled during
the reign of the ill-starred Grover
Cleveland
The present movement caused by the
above named results will create all expan-
sion in all directions, and the new terri
tories will demand supply of money
which they have not, if they are to be
lifted out of the Spanish slough of despond
and ignorance with which that nation has
cursed everything it has ever touched.
At the end of McKinleys term the
money problem will again step into the
arena of public affairs with renewed de-
mands for attention, and the new prob
lens which the people will have to face
and deal with will have broadened their
minds and made more independent think
ers than are now found among the indus
trial class.
The capitalistic class, the bond and debt
owners, are endeavoring to persuade
themselves that the silver "craze," as
they term the financial question, is dead,
but the whole subject is sure to come
up with redoubled force as soon as
the present moderate impulse to business,
caused by the war expenditures, has spent
ITSELF and the list of bankrupts again
begin to leugthen, caused by an insult
ficiency of money in circulation to sus-
tain the new, and revival of old branches
of business.
The Pacific islands will have TO be
furnished with liberal supply of money
if they are to be lifted out of their present
Spanish slough and degradation, and
there is no money comparable to silver
money for semi-civilized people. With
the lull which will be incident to the war
the agitation of the financial question will
be renewed with increased intensity.
Public thought will advance and broaden
greatly on financial questions during the
partial repose of the next two years.
There is death struggle going on be-
tween the industrial, property or wealth
creating class, who are striving to get
higher prices. or more money for the
fruits of their toll, and the capitalistic,
bond and debt owning class who have so
successfully struggled to make the money
and evidences of debt they hold appre-
ciate in value and be worth more and
more property by driving prices lower,
by contracting the volume Of circulating
money.