Natchitoches populist., 1898-07-15


the Wall street bond bill the Chicago
Express said:
Under the hypocritical cry of patriot
ism the plutocratic press of the nation
Is urging the bond issue and trying to
whip into line every senator who for a
moment questions the advisability of
the measure which passed the lower
house.
The infamous propositions Of that
bill are to be rushed through. if these
vampires have their way, without even
ordinary discussion.
The debate has already developed a
sentiment in favor Of a scientific money
system which to the bank power is a
threatening menace.
In the house 106 members voted in
favor of an amendment providing for
an issue Of legal tenders instead Of the
sale of bonds. and finally 131 members
on passage Of the measure went on
record against bonds.
This agitation and development of
populistic sentiment has carried con-
sternation into Wall street and led
such servile tools of the money power
as the Chicago Tribune to make the
most vicious attacks on every one who
refuses to follow the dictates Of the
banking interests.
They are called "disloyal' and the
term "copperheadism" is hurled at
them In the most vindictive manner.
The rantlng of the old "Trib' be-
comes actually ludicrous as it ex-
claims: "One hundred and twenty-five
thousand men have just been called In
to the service. The house democrats
do not want them to be paid. What do
these volunteers and their friends
think Of that?"
Now the facts are, the only true 10y
atty in congress today is represented by
those who insist on a legal tender
money issued directly by the govern
ment.
There is no patriotism in the issue
of interest bearing bonds. There is no
reason why they should be issued.
Greenbacks carried the nation through
four years war, and those first issued
never went below par; we're as good as
gold every day Of all that dark period
of internal strife.
1t is these facts of this legal tender
issue of government money which face
the minions of Wall and Lombard
streets and make them fear delay.
Every hour the bond issue is de-
layed, the greater will be the discus
sion of the subject and the more people
there will be who favor government
paper money.
This is why they are putting it
through under the lash and raising the
cry Of loyalty to cover up the most
uppatriotic scheme that could be pro-
posed.
Every populist should use his influ-
erce to strengthen the bands of the no
BILE few who are making this fight.
3 Encourage them by your words of
commendati0l and let them knew that
tue people recognize true loyalty to be
defiant opposition to every demand of
the traitorous money power.
The Silver Knight Watchman called
attention to the fact that as 1t passed
the house the bond bill was probably
also bill for the retirement of the
greenbacks. The S6OO,OOO,O0O OF bonds
provided for In the Dingley gold stand
ard bill Improperly styled "A bill to
provide ways and means to meet war
expenditures'') are to all intents ana
purposes gold bonds. 1t makes no diff
ference that the rulings of the depart
ment that bonds payable in either gold
or silver are gold bonds is in violation
Of law. We cannot change the rulings
Of the department until we have an
executive who will insist npon it that
the law shall be enforced without fay-
or to gold spectators more than 70
other citizens.
Another popularity of the bill is that
1t makes no mention for what purpose
the bonds are to be issued. It is not
provided that they shall be used to OBJ
tain money to prosecute the war. It
authorizes the issuance of the $780,
100000 Of bonds, or SO much thereof
as may be necessary, and the secretary
OF the treasury is made the sole Judge
OF the necessity. Mr.. Gage has often
declared that 1t is necessary to retire
the greenbacks and treasury notes. and
1t would not be unreasonable to sun
pose that with slGh views Mr.. Gage
would issue the bonds to provide
basis for bank circulation In order thar
greenbacks might be retired. Mr.. Gage
is a banker, and has repeatedly de-
cIared that national bank circulation
Is necessary to a sound financial sys-
tems and the bonds provided for in the
BILL would go a long way to meet that
necessity The Republican party
would not have proposed such meas
ure In time OF peace; at all events
they have not ventured to propose their
currency and monometallic schemes at
this session Of congress Why should