The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-24


blow 1t down or hall destroy II or In
sects deyour II, and the price OF his crop
Is as uncertain as the quantity. IL a pri-
vate monopoly can suspend production
and FIX the price of raw material as well
as the price Of the finished product, the
farmer. powerless to protect himself
when he sells. Is plundered when he pur-
chases- Can any farmer hesitate to
the side OF those who desire 20 protect
the public at large from monopolies?
The fact that the trusts support the
Repuhican party ought 10 be sufficient
proof that they expect protection from
u. The Republican party cannot be re-
He'd upon to extinguish the trusts as
long as u draws Its campaign contribu-
tons from their overlooking vaults
Prosperity Argument.
The prosperity argument. which the
Republicans bring forward to answer all
complaints against the administration
VIII not deceive the farmer. He knows
that two factors enter into his income:
ond. the price he receives for the same.
He does not return thanks to the party
IN power for favorable weather and a
bountiful harvest, and he knows that the
Republican party has no policy which In
sures a permanent increase In agricul-
tural prices. Since he sells his surplus
in foreign market he Is not a benef-
ciary OF the tariff and since he produces
merchandise and not money, he does not
profit by the appreciation OF the dollar.
He knows that the much-vaunted pros
perity, Of which he has never had his
share. Is on the wane In spite OF the UNI
usual and unnatural stimulation which IL
has received during the last three years.
He knows that each month of 1900 shows
"A larger number of failures than the cor
responding month Of 1899 and that there
is already n marked tendency toward
decreased output Of the factories He
L. ol~ haf If col fay
ines abroad and war on three continents
have not been able to raise the price of
farm products as rapidly as trusts snd
combinations have raised the price of the
things which the farmer buys.
Charges of Inconsistency.
"Our opponents have tried 10 make II
appear that we are inconsistent when we
desire general rise in prices and yet
oppose an arbitrary rise in protected
manufactures or trust made goods. There
Is no conflict whatever between these two
propositions. II a general rise In prices
occurs because Of permanent increase
in the volume OF money all things adj
just themselves TO the new level. and II
the volume OF money then increases In
proportion 10 tho demand for money. the
price level remains the same and business
can be dono with fairness TO all. IT,
however Nthe rise Is arbitrary, and only
affects a part OF the products OF labor
those whose products do not participate
in the rise suffer because the purchasing
power of their income is decreased. II
4 bad monetary system drsgs down the
price OF the Warmers product. while
nonopolies raise the price Of what he
buys. he burns the candle at both ends
and must expect to suffer In comparison
with those who belong to the classes
more favored by legislation.
at IS sometimes urged by partisan lop-
uilsts that four years more of Repub-
lican misrule would 40 agRravate econ
osnic conditions az to make reforms
easter No one can afford TO aid In
ISle n
ing able to make them better afterward,
for In so doing he assumes Responsible
ties which he may not be able 70 remedy
No popuilst however sansuine. believes
IL possihe to elect a Popultst president
~ this time. but the Populist party may
Ia able 10 determine whether a Democrat
or a Republican will he elected
.sNIr Chairman the Populist convention,
which your committee represents. thought
a better to share with the Democrats III
in the honor OF securing some or the re-
forms desired by your party than 70
hear the odium OF remaining neutral in
thla great crisis. or OF giving open or
secret AID to the Republican party, which
opposes all the reforms for which the
popniists contend
Takes Time 20 work Reforms.
..rhose who labor TO improve the condi-
tinns which surround their feliowmen are
apt 10 become impatient, but they must
remember that y taxes n thns 20 "prk ~,
fns vnttr attention 10 the slow growth OF
hubble opinion In support OF PROPOSE
lion 10 which there has been practically
aPresident johnson. In isea. recommend
"a a constitutional Amendment providing
sor the election Of United states senators
hy direct vote OF the people. but his rec
ommendation met With no response. About
twelve years later Gen, Weaver, then
a member Of congress, tried 70 secure the
massage OF a resolution submitting such
an amendment. hut his efforts were futile.
IN 1899 the resolution recommended hy
President Johnson and urged hs Congress-
man Weaver. finally passed the house OF
rDpresentatfvas hut u has not yet reached
n vote IN the senate, and now. after eighs
years ~ pubic discussion, the proposition
uisnt OF the national convention OF one Of
tho great parties
'If tho fusion forces win n victory this
san we shall see this reform accomplished
before the next presidential election. ans
With Is accomplishment the people viii
fnt Il easier 10 secure any remedial lnE-
lsiatlon they may desire limi how hating
Heaven h NOT gained ~ q single bound.
we hnila The ladder hv which we rise
From the lowiy earth "a the vauited
skies,
And W. mount to i's summit, round ~
wound
"And - q h with ereat political move
menga. Great rrphiews are solved slowly.
hut struggling humanity marches Oh. step
BY step. eonient u ~ each plEhtfall Il can
pitch It's tent on httR SroNad
some New fssaes.
- have called attention - 'the issues
which brought the Dfmocrafs and Fapu-
lists together and iusfih the cooperation
during tire lam four years Let me now
invite your attention Cav new questions
which would hastily ce~ouFration as this
tirc. aithnuEh We 1iNcrah on aii econ.
euis quessions 4 . MOT oHr tauR that
these new questions have been thrust fnta
the arena ~ politics SO " het opr sasit
that the prNple hare heon ca3lea Wpau 90
consider questions ~ ever .iucreaslag max
nirlis
lin 1888 she taTiT question was fha
pEiaekpal subject ~ discussion ana thN
Democratic partt crnfpn.iaa sNst ana
masses we're CARRYING a tarien n essf,t-f
and unnecessary taxes Ia fssa ths farfw
question waa still tha pgtncipaa issue NJ
tween the nemectAtic ard Rcnuhsiran nsr-
tee although Pa the Wcst aud me south
lac mouey aueftfon was aasaminr creator
tma greater ~ PORTIONS ara tita uysrls-
iNts Werc e9ntsndirE hat cur monetary
sfsfCm VAS more Responsible thar enc