The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1904-02-11
Wall Street Masnate Tells Edi-
tor TibbIes How PopuIism Was
Checked.

campaign ndu Dern mdue 10 stop Iuo
coinage of silver altogether, than was
ever coined in the same length Of time
before. Besides that, the amount Of
the currency was enormously in
creased by the issue of paper money
and the coming of more gold than had
ever before been coined. Think OF
that! And this agricultural ropula-
tiOn Of which YOU spoke, voting one
year to restrict the currency anu the
next with just as much enthusiasm
supporting the party that had doubled
it, and denouncing with more vehem-
ence than ever before the poor pop.
ulists who had lirst advocated It'll
'But you have not answered my
question concerning why the daily
papers here keep bowling about free
silver and 16 to l."
"The real reason Is that they have
got the masses here to believe that
'16 to + will bring ruin and destruc-
tion upon them. But the real truth IL
that since Wall street began to PUT
capital into industrials, it would like
to have free silver ITSELF and several
plans have been discussed to bring IL
about in some quiet way. Bear in
mind always that investments have
been largely changed from bonds TO
industrial enterprises. The effort to
largely increase the paper money was
Wall street scheme. II still wants
more money ard it was thought
that 1t could be brought about by as
set currency. OF course that Is not
exactly the populist idea, but the 1f-
feet on prices would be the same The
only difference Is that the bankers
would get their per cent before Il
went into circulation. The truth Is
that the populists are accountable for
the immense accumulation OF money
in few hands during the last few
years"
How do you make that out?"
"Their theories of money showed
Wall street Low to do it. The street
was quick to make of use for its own
profit the economic theories first made
known to the American people by
populist orators and in the LOpulist
press"
What is it, then, that Wall street
does fear?'
at is the advocacy of the public
ownership of telegraphs, telephones,
railroads. municipal utilities and OPP
position to high tariffs. Those are
the things that would cut the founda-
tions out from under Wall street. The
doctrine that the right to issue money
should be confire to the government
gives the bankers a cold chill every
time they think of it. Wall street
knows very well that such policy,
with some other things Of the same
kind that can be found in the Kansas
City platform as well as in that of the
populist's, would put a stop to the
great accumulations of wealth. That
is what they are afraid OF. Not 16
to l."
This interview was held in a DOWN
town Office at o'clock p. m. 1t was
held by appointment and the gentle
| man came in dress suit. The time
consumed in the conversation was 35
minutes. or course there were many
other things sad, but this Is the SUBJ
stance OF them. At its close he got In
his automobile which had been walt.
| ing all the time on the opposite side
OF the street. and rode away. perhaps
to a dinner party. perhaps u the-
atre. My first acquaintance with this
gentleman began II years ago. From
his appearance Ii seems that he. too.
has taken advantage ot popuist
teaching. He Is in the heart OF Wall
street loIngs here and knows what he
Is talking about. Some populists from
the west have come here when tho
nennia would not gustaln them M
home and keep them In the senate
and the house working for The inter-
ests OF the common people. and ap-
piled their knowledge of political
economy They are now counted with
the milllonaires. Yet they would 4till
take their old places aa champions of
tbs masses. II the masses would only
stand by them and put them In rosl-
tluns whore they could help bring
1 ahanf a mora aauft ahia Itaf FihtfIau -