Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1899-07-21


and with these pay the men and pur-
chase the materials, then make these
script receivable at par with legal ten
der money for the rent Of stalls" Inc
committee, after some hesitation, as
scented to the governors plan. Most OF
the citizens also agreed to 1t. Inc
Scripts" were issued and materials
procured, the men put to work, the
building erected, and the stalls rented.
The scripts circulated in the island AT
par. Every months rent reduced their
quantity, and, in less than ten years, all
were back in the public treasury ana
stamped Cancelled" and thus ended the
life of the Guernsey Market House
Scripts The house had been built, the
contributions of materials and work
were now all paid with the goods they
had purchased at the market-house, or
indirectly elsewhere, and not one cent
lost to the people in discounting BOND
nor interest.
Gov. De L'Isle Brock did not let this
monetary event pass into obscurity. On
the contrary, he desired to impress 1t
vividly on the minds of his people, and
print it in the pages of history for the
benefit of future generations. Accord
ingly, he appointed special day to
celebrate the anniversary of the build
ing of the market house, and give burl-
al to the scripts that had performed
the exchanges with equity, and now
had ceased circulating. When the day
arrived, the crowd began early to gath
er on the public square in front OF the
market house, which was festooned
with garlands and streamers, and on
whose cupola waved large flag bear
ing, in broad, gilt letters, the motto:
"As good as if built with borrowed
gold"
At 10 a. m. the procession formed,
and preceded by bands, began to file
off through the streets of the little
burg. Along the line were carried
standards, on which were inscribed
notices like the following: Hail the
New Financial System!" Down With
Bonds and Borrowing" "Adieu, Bank
ers!" Labor and Capital United" In
terest Never More!" Money, the Ole
| Robert" etc. The procession MADE
the round of the burg, returning at
| D. m. Marshals on horseback arranged
the crowd in a grand circle on the
| square. in the center of which was
erected a speakers stand, and, by the
stand. a vestal fire was kindled. Wher
all was ready, the band struck ma
tional song of liberty, while the gov
ernor, accompanied by two attendants
who carried each package of Cancelled
scripts, advanced majestically to th'
fire and halted. Suddenly the bant
stopped; the governor took the bundle!
of scripts from his attendants, ant
holding them up to the gaze of the null
titude, pronounced over them the fol
lowing impressive tribute: well done
good and faithful servants. When liv
ing, you performed your work will
equity, and now, departing, you leav'
the world better for having been IL
it, and no Understanding bonds no
mortgaged homes will curse you II
your grave. You have done more thai
to perform the functions OF money
You have opened the portals to
brighter financial era. May the toiler
learn wisdom from this example"
He then sprinkled the packages witt
perfume, and while the band was play
ing a dirge, he laid them on the fire
where they were quickly consumed II
the presence of a silent, solemn, think
ing mass of people.
After the cremation of the scripts
the governor, though not a publ
speaker, assembled the stand and deliv
cred the most impressive financia
speech ever delivered on earth befor
or after. 1t was in the followin
words:
"Fellow Citizens: For the first tim
in the history of this island, if not c
the world, you have learned to max
your own money. You have built you
own market-house without borrowing
and hence without paying tribute t
Mammon; and now, when all who hay
contributed materials or work hav
been paid, as attested by the retur
of the scripts through the rent, tn
house is yet your property. Hence
forth the rent Of the same will be ar
priated to the expenses of the govern
ment and thus lessen your taxes.
Turning then to the market house, an
pointing to the flag floating on It's CT
pola, he exclaimed in loud tones: "Be
hold, monument of your financis
wisdom. and as good as if built wit
borrowed gold! May future genera
tons croft by your example"
With this he descended from tn
platform amidst the widest acclams
lions of the multitude, and the deafer
ing sounds of the bands.