Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-01-28
THE REASON WHY
OUR NATION AND PEOPLE ARE so
HEAVILY IN DEBT.

IL Is ny VICIOUS Legislation EStab.
fishing Difference Between the
Poor Mans Dollar and the Rich
Mans GOid-Class Legislation Is
RespOnsiblc-The Matter Clearly
Presented.
IELM, Wash, Jan. Is, 1898.
ED. STANDARD:
l believe it is generally conceded
that this is the greatest debtor nation
on earth, when we take into consider.
alton the national, State, municipal
and private Indebtedness. The lowest
estimate l have seen being $2O,OOO,-
100000 and the highest 500, 100000,
600.
Now l would like to ask some OF the
" goldbug' advocates, who are always
pratlng about prosperity, if they can
assign any other rsason for such a vast
accumulation of debt in the most
productive country on the globe other
than vicious legislation and malad-
mlnistration of governmental affairs?
l am not apprised of any country that
produces more gold and silver, iron
and copper, lead and coal; mere of the
necessaries of life than the United
States. We lead all other countries
in inventions, our means of transpor-
tation and communication are practi-
cally unlimited, and our people willing
to work when they have the opportun-
ity. Prior to 1860, we were practi-
cally out of debt, up to which time
our facilities for production were linn
tied generally to muscle-producing
force. Since that time our facilities
have increased with almost incredible
and yet, Notwithstanding this
fact, we have been getting continually
deeper and deeper in debt, but while
SO per cent. are in this predicament,
one per cent. are growing richer and
richer, and the one per cent. produces
nothing whatever. Now / assume it
as fact there are only three ways of
acquiring wealth, viz: LIST, To work
for, or earn it; I'd, to steal it, and Sd,
to receive it through charity. The
first mentioned is certainly honorable.
Now since the one per cent, or second
class mentioned, do not earn what
they get and are too proud to accept
charity, what is the natural conclu-
sion? Ofcourse any school boy can an
swer. The old plan was to get wealth
by force, and, to a limited extent, it is
practiced yet, but We call that style by
its right name punish the thieves ac-
cordingly, provided they don't steal
enough to acquire the title of gentle
men," The latest and most APP
proved plan Il say approved plan,"
because it has been endorsed by the
people for 30 years. is to secure the
same results by legislative enactment.
In time of great emergency, A. ID.
1862, the country was in great need of
money to carry on the civil war, and
as we couldn't borrow it, we had to
make it under the provisions of the
and we found to our
Joy that it answered every purpose
that any other money could perform
and landed the Old Ship of State safe
ly in the harbor, though somewhat
the worse of wear and tear. But, not
withstanding the fact that the old
greenback had paid the soldier, bought
of war. and performed all
the functions of a medium of exchange,
as we'll as gold or silver could, or ever
did do, it was denounced by certain
classes as " fiat money" "rag money"
and Lincoln scabs," just as the re-
form parties of to-day are denounced
as agitators, demagogues and anar-
chists, by the true anarchists, and
they proceeded forthwith to concoct a
scheme whereby they could degrade it,
and succeeded but too we'll by insert.
ing the following clause: "Good for
all debts, public and private, except d.
ties on imports and interest on the
public debt" The result was just what
was anticipated. The second class,
above specified, bought 'em for 40 to
so cents on the dollar and invested
them Immediately dollar for dollar, in
accordance with an act of Congress, in
United States bonds untaxable and
drawing coin interest in advance every
six months. If you or 1 should take
for nothing, it would be
called stealing; that was called wise
What would you think of
a biped in the shape of a man who
would use faithful horse for Is or 20
years and then turn him out to starve?
If such a scourge deserves censure,
how about those other "phellers"?
In 1868, these creatures of the second
class succeeded in making the bonds,
that had cost 'em 40 to so cents on
the dollar, payable in coin and then
succeeded in 1873 in making all coin
represent gold, or, in other words,
making gold the only primary money,
and all other money subsidiary to it..
What for? For the benefit of the peo-
pie? Hardly, my duckeys. That
class of suckers (for they're nothing
else) don't have much love for the peo-
pie. Oh, no, don't fool yourself. Then