Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1899-07-06
PROSPERITY WITHOUT MONEY

The theory advanced by one of the
Virginia gold bug newspapers, and
there are but few Of them, that only a
small amount of money is needed to
conduct the business of the country,
does not meet with any very hearty APP
proyal. AS for the SPECTATOR it
takes little stock in any argument OF
this kind and it believes the people
have too much sense to even give it a
passing thought, knowing it to be un-
worthy Of consideration. Very re
Gently this gold paper published a let
ter from a Smythe county farmer, who
endorsed the idea and told how he had
been successful in life and handled
only S. in cash year. To give onl
readers an idea of what Others think
of The no money plan, we print below
what the FarmvilIe Herald has tt
say. The Herald discusses the ques
ton at length in the following very
| timely manner
A correspondent, writing from the
county Of Smythe to the Richmond
TiWes, makes mention Of well to-dC
farmer of that county who after pay
| ing taxes, handled but So a year il
ready cash. If that is well. to do y
God pity the poor farmers Of that coun
| ty. The correspondent goes on to say
| that the farmer paid his store bills,
doctor bills and labor bills in products
of the farm. That's good as far as il
goes, but has that farmer and other
| "Well-to-do" farmers of that county
and of other counties Of the State to
deny themselves all the pleasures OF
travel? Shall they take nOpapelS nOr
magazines and buy no books Are
their children to be denied the privi-
leges of collegiate and unlvti sity train
ing? Is the preacher to go without
pay and are the "well-to-do" cultiva-
tors of the soil never to enjoy the lux
ury of visit to Richmond ? 1t would
be announcement to start the boy to
college with a coop of chickens and a
crate of calves. The conductor Of the
train is not authorized to take eggs in
payment of fare. For neighborhood
purposes this barter business will do,
hut farmers as well as editors should
sometimes put on their Sunday best
and 90 out into the world to know
what's going on. 1t will broaden him
as citizen and make him better farm
er. The well TODD" farmer who pays
in ''store orders" don't get good and
efficient service. The average South.
side Virginia negro has holy horror OF
''store orders" and we don't blame
him. The man who enters the store
with the ready cash" has more of the
spirit Of independence about him than
the fellow who gees in with an order.
The latter must buy at that certain
store no matter what the price asked,
while the former can turn on his heels
and walk boldly and defautly to the
next store.
If the Richmond Times should I'm
dertake to pay the Dext months wages
to its very efficient employees in store
orders, rent bills, Car fare, pew privi-
leges, excursions to the seashore, cigar
cites and chewing gum there would be
bowling strike.
A working man don't feel just right
unless he has at least q dollar of the
stuff the dog can't chaW" in his
pocket. Miliionaires must learn that
and legislators must be allowed to give
him a chance.
Farmers ought to attend county
courts, and county fairs, and picnics,
and fish fries, and political speaking
and "big meetings." and it can't be
done on due bills'' or So a year. II
that's the best prosperity Mr.. McKin-
ley can give the sooner we elect his
successor the better. Col. Bryan can
beat it ''out Of sight"