Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-01-19
1882 OVER AGAIN
eRO5PECTS FOR THE NATIONAL
CAMPAIGN.
me- SH.Called National Bank Of tho
UAated States Is Merely Branch Of
aAs Hank of England-Jackson's Great
Wictory Over Its Predecessor In 1882.

NJ Andrew Jackson in 1882. The pas
oage of the Gage gold standard, ma
9ipnal bank trust bill means that the
old United States bank is to be revived
and that until the people throw over
nnard the present administration the
MAances of the whole country will be
Haled from the directors office Of a
single bank in New York city. 1t Is
therefore timely to review the cam
unign of 1882. The old United States
xnnk was given charter by the pro-
British or Federal party in 1892 led
nank was given a charter in 1892, led
M Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson
hsWever, suppressed the bank, but
Madison gave it 20-year charter in
12l6. In the meantime the financial
nesources of the government were de-
POSTED in the bank and five of the
Rwenty-five directors were appointable
~ the president.
Buf just as the opponents of Hamil-
sons plan had predicted the bank had
mot been doing business long before II
8egan to undermine the republic OF
ahe United States by attempting to CO.
cree the people into voting for the
Federal candidate in 1928. Editor
Iszsac Hill of Portsmouth, N. H.,
2runght a test case against Jeremiah
1Ezsou, manager of the branch bank
there. A few days before election
MASON issued circulars informing pat
xuns of the bank that they must vote
-Ehe ticket OF expect no more favors.
The whole matter finally having
s1een brought before Jackson's secre-
harry of the treasury Immediately after
Inauguration in 1929, Nicholas Biddle,
president of the United States bank,
with headquarters at Philadelphia, was
j.s2nd to explain the conduct of his
Subordinate at Portsmouth. Biddle at
tsnce sent in his report of the charges
IN the secretary of the treasury OF the
limited States, and in the arrogance OF
his supreme authority as head or the
National financial institution he wrote
acknowledge the slightest RESPONSE
Utility of any description whatsoever to
jfhe secretary of the treasury touching
t1he political opinions and conduct OF
&hcfr officers, that being subject on
(which they never consult and never de-
hire to know the views of any admin
tzs1ration," adding, tactlessly, that
they could not permit ANY interfer-
tEnce in the concerns of the institution
3runfided to their care"
1t can easily be imagined what an in
fmiated effect the autocratic report OF
President Biddle had upon the sensl-
hive nerves Of President Jackson, who,
5ike an old warhorse, was always
lchamping his bit for fight in behalf
to1 the people. From that time on the
feud between the administration
4rorned by the bank and the bank re-
undated by the administration was
hitter and implacable. The fight spread
10 the halls of congress, where Benton
.aupported the cause of the president,
which was reviled by Henry Clay in
die interests of Nicholas Biddle and
the bank. From congress the battle
spread throughout the country. Every
state had it's branch bank In which
were deposited the earnings OF the
beuple and every state was the center
nf bitter wrangle and debate. News
papers took up sides for and against
the national institution of finance and
xzch party had its separate organs to
pomc the broadshot of scandal and re-
sxfmination into the ranks of the OPP
busition. Not for years had the coun-
try been so aroused by internal dis
,xension, and not for years had public
Knterest reached so high a tide OF in
sxensity.
!; Matters were in this tense condi-
HON of warning debate when fresh i'm
1efus was given to the situation in
h251 by the appeal of Henry Clay to
NE senate for the grant of a new char
her to the Bank of the United States.
{Fhc old one had still five more years
az life, but Clay wished to make the
hznk question a vital issue in the
presidential campaign then close at
hapd-a supreme force which he was
.re1tain would overwhelmingly defeat
,Eke reelection of Andrew Jackson. The
Nnmporarily blindfolded senator rea-
.tsrned that Pennsylvania was not only
fhe stronghold of the Jackson forces,
ibUt 1t was also the home of the bank
mud he counted on the latter force de-
Eezrting the former one-.the private in
aiezests of the depositors reacting neg
,ufiTely on their admiration and faith
IN jackson. But for once the willy
ssenator reckoned without his hosts,
Philadelphia was but small part OF
dhe territory of Pennsylvania and pri-
rzrs greed failed to conquer public
IpYalty.
!, The petition of Henry Clay to con-
zress for the grant of a new charter for
the bank reused storm of mastery
,zebase in both branches Of the govern
mental service. Finally, however, in
H8s2, the petition passed both the SEN
,afe and the house of representatives
and was at once offered to the presi-
.sEemt for his signature. Not for an in
.sdznt did Andrew Jackson waver in his
eetfled determination to strangle the
k,ur cornoratiOn The campaign was