Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-09-25

oIouIiy INCREASING wages. IL is seen /
In the enormous increase of agricul-
tural production, with large increase
OF prices of farm products, whether of
horses, or cattle, or hogs, or wheat, or
corn. 1t is seen in the large and con-
stantly increasing product of the fac
tory and the work shop, with large
ly increased domestic demand for
their products and a largely increas-
ed foreign demand as well. 1t is seen
in the enormous increase of exports
of agriculture and manufactures. Our
exports in the last three years have
been in round numbers $1,6O0,000, 900
in value in excess of the value of our
imports for the same period, and they
have been nearly five times the total
balance of trade in our favor from
1880 to 1897 inclusive, a period of one
hundred and eight years. 1t is seen
In the constantly increasing value of
exports of manufactures, the last year
showing value of more than three
hundred and fifty millions of dollars,
and this year showing an increase
thus far over these high figures of
last year, thus giving constantly in
cfeaslng employment to our mechan-
les and artisans whose fabrics go to
every part of the globe. Prosperity
is seen everywhere in Improvements
In towns, cities and country, made
with this excess of earnings. 1t is
seen in the enormously increased traf-
nc OF our railroads, and in the largely
increased number of employees neces-
sary to this increased traffic. 1t is
seen IN the increased consumption of
necessaries and comforts of life in our
own country so that in every part of
our country the people have more, ami
largely more, of these necessities and
comforts than they had four years
ago. We have seen large increase
IN our gold circulation and
IN our paper circulation, made neces-
sary by this increased activity intrade
and business. In other words, where
ever we turn we see prosperity and
success where four years ago there
was adversely and depression.
Causes of Prosperity.
Now, / do not say that all this comes
from our legislation respecting, and
our administration of, public affairs,
put do say that the legislation of the
last three years and the administra-
ton of President Mckinley have given
opportunity and incentive to labor and
production that were not found four
years ago.
Our tariff policy revived our indus
tfles, and gave opportunity to labor to
| be employed. The fact that Mr. Nc
hlnley was elected, and with him a
| republican congress, gave assurance
that our currency system, as establish
ed IN 1879, would continue and be
| strengthened. This encouraged ener-
| gy and enterprise which gave $oppor-
tunity to labor and enabled those hav-
ing capital to embark in projects with
assurance of stability for four years at
least without fear that the capital thus
employed would be swept away by the
adverse legislation of congress pro-
posed by our opponents, providing for
the establishment of debased and
fuctuating standard of money. Presi-
dent Mckinley called congress in ex-
| traordinary session, the Dingley law
was passed. and the clouds soon disap
! peared under the industrial stimulus
OF that law, and at the last session the
currency law was passed, strengthen
Ing and lnvigorating the laws already
on our statute books for the preserva
ton OF our money standard, and max
ing ample provision for the ccnvert
b1llty OF all forms of money at the will
OF the holder into gold coin, so that oul
paper currency, whether of green
backs, silver or gold certificates, OF
national bank notes, shall always. be
kept at par, each with the other in cir
culation, and all kept at par with the
money in which the worlds exchanges
are made, and this cannot be changed
\ except by a violation of its letter anc
spirit, or by it's repeal. Not only have
these things been done, but also, fol
lowing naturally from these public pc
licies, we find ourselves now with {
larger per capita money circulation
than we have ever had before, which
has been increased nearly Sc per CAPT
ia during the last three years.
These are some of the opportunities
that our legislation and our policies
have afforded to the industry, thrift
and enterprise of our people, which
they were quick to take advantage OF
and which altogether have given III
the greatest measure of prosperity w
, have ever known.
ii In the presence of these facts it i
, interesting and somewhat instructiv
E to recall the forebodings of evil foun,
: in the speeches and newspaper utter
. ances of four years ago as to wha
would follow the election of Presiden
Mckinley.
Time is too short, in fact life is to
short, to read them, but they form a
| interesting chapter of false theorie
. and false prophecies, made then, an
, reafirmed now, but not now repeated
:. 16 to I Plank Reaffirmed.
After three years of President. M
Kinley's administration and the bles:
ings experienced under it, is it not sill
gular that these same prophets of evi
with Mr.. Bryan as their chief, com
forward repeating the same platforl
promulgated in 1896, and ask its adol
ton by the voters of the United State
| emphasizing the old resolve of 1S9
on the money question by re-declari
ton that they demand the immediat
| restoration of the free and unlimite
coinage of silver and gold at the pre-
| ent ratio of 16 to / without waiting fc
i the aid or consent of any other nj
/ tion?"
Il Il