Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1900-04-20

MONEY FOR THE NATIONS NEED.
The New York Tribune holds, and
properly, that this nation has funds
enough for any improvements it may
need. 1t says:
Some men need to open their eyes
and realize that this is not a pauper
country. Economy is excellent when
it is not a crime or a disgrace. But
in these days the argument of econ
omy is used, often with mistaken hon
esty, no doubt, but also at all times
with knavish intent, to prevent ex-
penditures for which the government
and the people are amply provided.
Whether the object is wise or unwise,
whether the motive is the best or not,
the argument is nothing better than
an unworthy appeal to ignorant preju-
dice. If there is anything which the
government may wisely do for the well
fare of the people it is folly to claim
tnat it is not able or that they cannot
bear the burden. If it is proposed to
set up costly works for the manufac-
ture or armour plates, for instance,
there is sense in asking whether the
government would get the best results
in that way, but none in pretending
that the government is not abundantly
able or that the people are not ready
and willing to pay for them. If men
reason that a Pacific cable or 18TH
milan canal should be created, owned
and controlled by the government,
there may be many sound and suffi-
Gent answers pro and con, but GER
tainly is not n to say that the
try cannot bear the expense.
This nation Of seventy-seven million
people, more or less, is today better
able to spend $500, 100000 than it was
thirty years ago with half the popu-
lation to spend S1OO,O0O,O 900. Its
wealth has increased more than three
fold, from $50, 900, OOO. 600 to over
$4,000 O.OO0,O 200. Its people are far
more fully employed, earning much
better wages. and are more secure
and Independent in their Industries,
with a national credit such as no other
power possesses. The nation has a
measure of control in the worlds fin
ances which nobody expected thirty
years ago this country would attain.
1t was able in 1870 to pay over 81 for
every inhabitant as interest on the
public debt, but it would be a much
lighter burden today to pay interest
on a debt of $1,000, 10000 and not
even the widest scheme of national
defense or development would call for
any such sum-. The worlds %financiers
would tumble over one another in
their haste to get United States bonds
at a rate paying less than 3 per cent
but the people themselves would take
care that not many such bonds would
go beyond their borders.
Abundance of II is not q
reason for ~wastefulness. But if the
nation needs anything for it's security
and it's peace, whether it be a cable
a canal, or a navy greater than that
of any other nation, it is able to meet
the cost without the slightest diff.
Guilty. The question is, and always
ought to be, only one of the wisdom O.
an expense proposed. Security againsI
injury of any kind comes in large
measure from the geographical posi-
ton of the nation and it's proved
strength on land. When the nation
numbered not a third of it's presen
population it was able to place ant
keep in the field for years two grea
armies fighting each other: and thre
times their united strength 10 othe
power would now make haste to at
tack. But defense of commerce AM
of honor in distant parts of the worl,
needs now, and has needed from tn,
first, a strong and ready navy AM
swift communication between the At
lantic and the Pacific coasts and al
outlying possessions.
A great battleship costs ,$3,O0O,O0C
more or less. A\canal would max
ten Of them worth well nigh as mucl
as twenty would be worth now, an
would pay for itself besides. A cana
securely contro44ed at every point b,
the United States would multiply tn