The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-24

cation Of farmers who thought that they
were not icing treated fairly, and who
demanded simple Justice What was
the result2 The Republicans and DEM
ocrats- embodied their demands in. their
platforms, and by that concession We're
estopped from saying that there was
no cause for the complaints.
Next came the knights of Labor VINO
demanded more recognition for the labor
ing man and the result was the same.
s'Then came the Greenbaek party,
political organization which complained
of the injustice Of our financial system.
Whether there was cause for the COM
plant or not the old parties embodied
the demands in their platforms and
declared against national banks If you
were right then my Republican friend
what in the name Of God is the matter
with you now2"
aAlI the great men Of the day." con-
tinued the speaker. endorsed these de-
mands- Your Blaines. your Garfields.
your McKfnleys, your ingalls, and your
Plumb endorsed them. Senator Plumb
although a national banker himself, al
ways opposed the system as q represen-
The speaker said that although the
demands were placed in the platforms
they were never enacted into laws.
THE MONEY QUESTION.
Mr.. Breidenthal then turned his atten-
ton to the details of the money queS-
ton. What is money! he asked and
replying to his own question said:
Money is simply measure Of value
If you have SIS to be exchanged for
suit of clothes-only under this prosperi-
ty you are enjoying it may take $50 in
instead of $1b TO buy the suit-bnt at
any rate when you make the exchange
that money has been redeemed and that
is all the redemption any one ought to
expect. That is the only redemption
that is required except by the represen-
tatives of the fellows that Christ threw
nf
debt is the great. damning, blighting
curse OF this age, as II has been OF all
ages. National banks are founded on
debt and that is why we are opposed 70
them. If you perpetuate the national
banks you must perpetuate the public
debt. Some people think like the people
of England that q public debt lis a pub
lie blessing. but am glad 10 say that
the number in this country is few and as
I see ii any man who favors such a
proposition is a fit subject for the lunatic
asylum"
1t has been said that free silver is
not being discussed in this campaign but
MIR. Breidenthal proved to his audience
that he is not afraid to devote some at
tention TO that subject.
IT want to speak now,' said he, "of
So-called dead issue-the free coinage of
silver at a ratio Of sixteen to one. Why
did. we and do we now favor free coin
age of silver2 Simply because we favor
a greater volume of the currency. We
have silver mineS-England has none
but we Joined with England to depreci-
ate one of the greatest products Of the
nation No other nation ever did such
a thing as that.
They talk to you about the so cent
dollar. There never was a so cent dol
lar. You may cite me to the money of
the Southern Confederacy as an example
OF cheap money. That was not money.
1t was simply promises to pay and pay
day hasn't come yet. Laughter-l They
were to be redeemed when the Confed-
eracy was recognized and it hasn't yet
been recognized"
NATIONAL BANKING SYSTEM.
Returning to the question of national
banks Mr. Breidenthal said: While we
complain that the national banking sys-
tenn is one of the greatest evils of the
present time don't blame the national
banker for he is usually a very shreWd
fellow and is looking after his own in
terest. The national banking law is an
excellent thing for him. If you want
TO kick any one don't kick him for he is
not the fellow that deserves kicking. Go
out behind the barn and kick yourself
MIR. Breidenthal then dropped national
questions to discuss state issues. II
have nothing to say against Governor
Stanley" said he. II know he is an
honorable gentleman and there are many
things in his administration to COM
mend and also many things which I
think should be condemned and the same
administration But Mr.. Stanley In his
speeches points to the wonderful bank
deposits and gives me as authority that
they are higher than they ever were be-
fore and admit that it is true. But
If the Republican administration is to re-
ceive credit for that fact it must also
be responsible for the fact that the
bank deposits reached low water mark
in 1885 during Governor Morrillss adj
ministration.
by looking over the records it will
be found that during the four years adj
of Grover Cleveland, Kan
sas was only allowed to produce $4,000
900 bushels of wheat while during the
present season Kansas has been allowed
to produce 100. 900 bushels. Any one