OCR Text |
Show another THE USURERS conflict. THE AGAINST WURLDS PRODUCERS. (low the Laborer Even 1'pon Ilia Own Land la Itobbed by tlie Exclu.Ive Gold Standard First Principles of Clearly Illustrated. Money How strange it is that learned men will wrangle over the cause of poverty In long articles, even through whole volumes, when by adopting a natural process of reasoning and going bach to the origin of labor it can be made plain! First, it will be conceded that all wealth was made by labor. And Mill truly says that all the capital we see with few exceptions has been made by human labor and care within a very few years, so rapidly are things destroyed by time and use. Now let us imagine the first man at work. Whence came his wages? They must have come out of the product of that labor. In some way throilgh that product he muBt have gained his subsistence, even if no more. No old capitals could be called on to pay him. And the whole product was his own, no one else could demand any portion As other men began, to labor of it. and produce things, a system of barter ensued. That is, the exchange of one thing for another. We can see that here was a small opportunity for one person to get advantage over another by cheating or abusing the necessities of others or by forestalling markets for some articles. Thus some would get rich above others. Moreover, the industry and dexterity of some would always make them wealthier. Also, as1 all are not alike, In every free society are some who care not to acquire wealth. But no wrong could be done to others, on any large scale, under this condition. Every person would get the whole value of his labor so far as his own will was concerned. As it often happened that in this bartering one thing might be worth more than another, and could not be divided, the trade would be uneven and would call for boot (from Botan, Anglo-Sax- ., whence one of the two words but," used In England, meaning beside, Then credit began. moreover, etc.). Then this credit was by custom given to some article handy to carry and Shells, bits of generally desired. metal, etc., were long UBed. Still the laborer received tbe whole value of his products, if he desired It. No one could "deprive him (except by slavery which grew out of war), no one grew all powerful by riches. The governments that raised revenues were paid In kind. Cattle, grain, etc., were paid In ' taxes, at enormous cost to collect and care for such things. Then some one naturally said: Why go to such expense to collect and pay out these revenues? The people pay these revenues, and government distributes them Just to Its soldiers and servants. give to every man a billet or wedge of metal marked at so much value and let each one collect his own. A simple Invention like our postage stamp, but saving enormous labor. These billets so used and wedges or coigns (whence our words bill, coin, today), were called billeting, or quartering on the eople, and they became very popular money tokens. Still labor received its entire product and nothing was taken from it but taxes to support the simple government established. Later, when the spirit of conquest grew and force became greater, slavery and landlordism were established, which robbed the laborer of all but a meagre subsistence. Still the free laborer received all he produced in his own ground. The instruments of exchange were simple and did the work thoroughly. As ocean commerce grew the device of bills and drafts on such banks as Amsterdam and Genoa did all the morey work in the great wholesale transactions for centuries. It was not until the court jewelers got Influence enough with rulers to procure the enactment of laws declaring the billets, wedges, coigns and other devices to represent the Instrument of exchange should be made out of precious metals and should be the sole lawful tender In payment of all debts, dues and obligations, public or private, that any peculiar advantage over labor was given, and in a way little dreamed of. The so simple seeming law converted the common medium of exchanges into the most potent lever for mastering the world an engine of tremendous and growing force the master of all values, prices, policies and labor. Henceforth labor, instead of being paid out of its products direct, began to be paid out of old capitals accumulated at interest. Says John Adams in Prior to the downfall his inaugural: of feudalism nations paid their war expenses by direct revenues raised at the time. Since then they have run Into debt and issaed bonds for the money to carry on wars and he warns this nation to beware of this. He might also have said that labor the war against difficulty and to sustain life also was paid its wages direct, but that now its wages came from borrowed capital. See then prior to this legal tender law labor subsisted and progressed on Its own produce since then it subsists out of old capital gathered by usury and borrowed by speculation at interest to hire the laborers. What besot nes of the wealth made by labor? All the surplus Is piled np to make new . 'lhex capitals, to lend m new capitals are increasing beyond all precedent. Their growth Is a marvel they Increase by a kind of geometrical ratio. Labor has to pay more interest yearly. Truly it is another and a greater irrepressible and enduring conflict between opposing lorccs that can end only in the destruction of both, as now constituted. The system originated by this legal tender device has grown until it overshadows a world under a bonded debt that calls for more and more, both of debt and interest, off the tiring hands of labor. CLARKE IRVINE. HiLt-i-wm- that any proposed franjhlso may be submitted to popular vote and must be so submitted If 20 per cent of the voters THE MOVEMENT IN FAVOR OF petition. Minnesota prohibits ail perpetual franchises, and provides that. If DIRECT LEGISLATION. privileges are made exclusive, they must be limited to ten years and apfha Popnllat States Lead Kapld Adproved by popular vote. This latter vances Made Toward Public Ownerprovision signifies little, since evidentship of Franchises and Fnblle 1'tllities ly a large proportion of such grants, Stats ltnllroads and lucuiua Taxes. though not exclusive formally, are so POLITICAL PROGRESS. practically. self-blind- POINTS FROM THE PRESS. It is hinted that the president anc his cabinet are feeding up on starch s. to stiffen their Bodle back-bone- Miner-Inde- x. William Dean Howells is undergoing severe criticism in the English literary weeklies for saying, in a recent paper, that the masses are the great arbiters of letters. Macaulay, in his essay on John Bunyan, declares that great books find favor with the superior few before they are welcomed by the masses. Had this been so the world would have lost Homer. But Macaulay cared more about the English literary organs than Mr. Howells does. Twentieth Century. Just Btop a minute and then ask yourself this question: Why, after farmers raise food to feed the nation, and laborers manufacture goods, houses, tools, furniture and all articles of luxury, is it necessary to stand idle until a few grains of worthless sand can be dug out of the bowels of the earth to be used as a medium to exchange all these varied products one with another? Faribault Jeffersonian. We trust that in the expenditure of the $50,000,000 defense appropriation the administration will not let itself be imposed upon by its alleged friends who helped it to gain power. All contracts should be let to the lowest bidders. We make this remark on account of a news item stating that Hannas company secured a contract to supply 250,000 tons of coal. Keep an eye on jobs. Silver Knight-Watchma- n. Doubtless Mr. Hanna recalls the fact that Spain is one of those enlightened nations of the earth that have the gold standard and is unwilling to do anything likely to cause a departure from that financial policy. Omaha World-Heral- d. When we shuffle off this mortal coll not regret what we have done for the material welfare of others, and all that we have done to promote our own material interests will be lost. We will then, if not before, be able to realize that in the last analysis, the And good we do is all we gain. when this truth, in its full import, is taken into consciousness of the living all will have an abundance of material blessings. This was what Jesus referred to when he said: Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things (material blessings, food, shelter and raiment) shall be added unto you. The New Nation. we will PRIEST. Father IJucey Pays Ills Kenpect to the TrutUtle MlUlonalrea. AN OUTSPOKEN The A New York dispatch says: Rev. Thomas J. Ducey of St. Leo's Roman Catholic church addressed an audience of 300 yesterday afternoon at a Joint conference in Amity hall of the the Catholic Workingmens club, church association for the advance-taeof the interests of labor and the Christian Workingmen's institute. His subject was, 'The Working People and the Churches. Here are some of the things Father Ducey Baid: 'Corrupt capitalists may try to bribe the churches, and God knows sometimes they may succeed, but can't bribe or deceive God. Some time ago it was said that certain individuals were anxious to form a religious trust. Very little difference is there between such a trust and such churches as are held together and supported by capitalistic, monopolistic, trustlstic millionaires. We are approaching a conflict that cannot be avoided. On one side is a banner Inscribed, Industrial Slavery by Capitalists" ; on the other the inscription is Industrial Libert by the People. This is the millionaires Lord's Prayer: My Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; my kingdom has come on earth thy will be done in heaven: my will be done here. Give me this day all the Income I want. Give me my debts in violence against humanity, in foreclosures against my debtors. Deliver us this day from all the 'isms that destroy our power to enslave humanity. Mine is the kingdom and the power, and thine be the glory forever. Amen. Another Annexation Scheme. Some newspapers claim we ought to annex the Hawaiian islands because Americans have thirty million dollars invested there. Well, if that is good logic, the United States ought to be annexed to England because ' the British have over fifteen biiKor dollars invested here. Bricklayers Journal nt 01 E. D. Durand, In Annals American Academy, summarizes recent political and municipal legislation, showing that the Peoples party has already been instrumental In Inaugurating important local reforms. The movement in favor of direct legisl&tlcn by the people, which has manifested Itself of late years In the increased practice of referring specific subjects of state or local legislation to popular vote, and in the increasing agitation for a general use of the initiative and referendum, has at last culminated in some of our western states. South Dakota goes furthest by proposing a constitutional amendment, to be voted upon in November next, declaring that the people reserve to themselves the right to propose measures, which measures the legislature shall enact and submit to a vote of the electors of the state, and also the right to require that any laws which the legislature may have enacted shall be submitted to a vote of tbe electors of the state before going into effect, provided that not more than five percentum of the qualified electors of the Btate shall be required to Invoke either the initiative or the referendum." The sister state of Nebraska has meanwhile enacted a law, to take Immediate effect. Introducing the same principle for all local subdivisions counties, townships, cities, villages and school districts but not for the state government Itself. A petition of 15 per cent of the voters is necessary to initiate measures, or to demand the reference of proposed measures to the people. The question must then be submitted to a vote at the next general election, but If the petition be signed by 20 per cent of the electors and contain a request for a more Immediate vote, a special election must be held. The local legislative body may suggest amendments to measures proposed by popular initiative. In surh case the original and modified propositions must both be placed on tbe ballot Unless a majority declares Itself against both forms, the form receiving the p st affirmative votes becomes law. The recent and growing popular agitation concerning the management of municipal property, works and privileges is beginning to bear fruit in legislation. A large proportion of our states sow allow cities and towns themselves to construct and operate lighting as well as water plants. Washington last year went further and authorized the establishment of municipal street railways. Especially Is there a tendency to regulate the granting of franchises to private individuals and companies. The chief advances are In limiting the duration of such grants, in demanding some commensurate payment for them, and in making them subject to popular control. The of tbe new charter of New York la an Instance In this regard. Far more radical la a Kansas law of 1897, which, however, applies only to light, heat, power and water plants. This act requires the grantees of franchises to report In minute detail the exact cost of constructing their plant, and semiannually thereafter the exact receipts and expenditures of every sort. A profit of 6 per cent per annum Is to be allowed on the actual investment shown by these statements, and the entire surplus of receipts Is to go to the public treasury, unless a higher allowance he made to the holders of the franchise by consent of s of the taxpayers. No grant may be for more than twenty years, and after ten years the municipality may buy the plant at an appraised valuation. This law Imposes terms even more severe than those regulating public franchises In any European city. Several other states have adopted the practice of requiring franchises of all sorts to be disposed of upon competitive bids. While this system may prevent Jobbery, in part, experience shows that it does not ordinarily win for the public a reasonable payment for privReal competition Is ileges granted. seldom possible, especially in the case of renewals or additional grants after one corporation has become thoroughly established. California, adopting this practice In 1897, prescribes further that the minimum payment to the municipal treasury for any kind of public franchise shall be three per cent of the gross receipts. No payment whatever Is to be made, however, during the first five years of the grant Wisconsin has passed a somewhat similar law, whose sdoptlon Is left to local option. The municipality Is to fix such conditions as It sees fit as specifications in advertising for bids. Annual reports of gross receipts must be made by grantees of franchises, whether percentages upon them are demanded or not. The terms of franchises may not be altered without consent of the holders. Regarding light and water plants. It is further enae'ed hv another law pro-vlelo- three-fifth- ns Arkansas has established an board to construct and operate one or more state railways. Wishing to avoid the experience of Tennessee, which earlier burdened Itself with a heavy debt by building railways, Arkansas provides that the road shall be paid for by donations of money and land from local authorities, and by tbe Issue of bonds secured solely by the road Itself, and not binding the state as such. Inheritance taxes continue to grow In favor, and direct Inheritances are coming more and more to fall under levy, although at a lower rate than collateral Inheritance. Montana and Minnesota last year established the tax on both kinds of Inheritance, while Connecticut and Pennsylvania, which already had the collateral tax, have extended it to direct inheritances also, the former at lf of one per cent on all property above $10,000, the latter at two per cent on all above $5,000. A law introducing a strongly progressive rate Into the existing collateral Inheritance tax was adopted by the New York legislature, but was vetoed by the governor. North Carolina and South Carolina have both adopted progressive Income taxes, perhaps the most radical tax legislation yet passed among our commonwealths. The farmer state levies five per cent on Income from property not otherwise taxed, of one per cent on Income from salaries and fees; and from of one per cent to two per cent on all other Incomes according to their amount, the highest rate applying to all Incomes over $20,000 yearly. The South Carolina law proposes to tax Incomes from whatever source at a rate graduated from one per cent on thoBe between $2,500 and $5,000 to three per cent on those above $15,000. It Is to be feared that the Imperfect tax machinery of these southern states will fall to give, a fair test of the working of the progressive Income tax. one-ha- 0X0 ENJOYS Both the method ana results when Syrup of Figs is taken; it is pleasant and refreshing to the taste, and acts gently yet promptly on the Kidneys, Liver and Bowels, cleanses the system effectually, dispels colds, headaches and fevers and cures habitual constipation. Syrup of Figs is the only remedy of its kind ever pro- duced, pleasing to the taste ana acceptable to the stomach, prompt in its action and truly beneficial m its effects, prepared onlv from the most healthy ana agreeable substances, its many excellent qualities commend it to all and have made it the most ralar remedy known, iyrup of Figs is for sale in 60 cent bottles by all leading drag-gist-s. Any reliable druggist vho may not have it on hand will procure it promptly for any one who wishes to try it Do not accept any substitute. th CAL UUUVUJE. Kt. MEW YORK, M.T. FILES I auflfered the tortures of the damned with protruding pilea brought on by constipation with which I was afflicted for twenty years. I ran across your CASCAKETS in the town of Nowell, la, and never found anything to equal them. To-dI am entirely free from pilea and feel like a new man. Cl H. Kbits, 1411 Jones St., Sioux City, In ay CANDY I W PROSPERITY NOTES. After more than two months hard fighting, the Globe shipyard strike at Cleveland, Ohio, has been declared off and the men compelled to acknowledge a defeat, which may mean the total disintegration of their local union. The Globe yards are owned by Senator Mark Hanna. SYRUP CO. 8AM FRAMCI8C0, one-ha- lf one-four- FI0 CALIFORNIA W CATHARTIC TRAM MASK MOMTBKCO Pleasant. Palatable. Potent. Taste Good. Do Good. Mover Sicken. Weaken, or Gripe. 10c. 2jc, Slle. ... SUrtiaf ... CURE CONSTIPATION. tMn IwUwl. In Tart, SIS Ime TO. RAP NO. RUaIUDAb Sold and cnaranteed by sliding gist to CVKETobaoeoliablk The employes of Seyferts rolling mill at Gibraltar, Pa., have been Informed of a reduction in their wages the puddlers from $2.40 to $2.25 per ton and the men In the plate min about 10 per cent all around. The appeal of the New Bedford, Mass., textile workers, now on strike, sets forth that 400 families, comprising 2,000 men, women and children, are slowly starving to death, and that unless aid Is forthcoming within a short time the strike will have to be abandoned.' All the street car lines In Saginaw, tied up Friday. The ninety conductors and motormen went on strike. The men demand regular hours and pay for overtime. They have been working fourteen to sixteen houra daily. Mich., were Arthur Hamlin, a grandson of Hannibal Hamlin, of the United States when Lincoln was president, was arrested in this city on Monday last and charged with vagrancy. Hunger drove him to desperation, so he went Into a restaurant, and after eating a hearty meal, left without paying. The proprietor of the place made the charge. The culprits defense was that he was without either money or friends, had not eaten for days, and could not obtain employment, which he bad earnestly sought for a long time. Judge Conlan, very properly, dismissed him, but, probably ironically, commanded him to secure a situation. Can the Judge secure it for him? Hundreds come Into our office every week looking for that very thing, and we can say because we know that even most highly educated and refined men are grateful if they can secure a place, even as "common laborer," which, in most cases, is Impossible, for the "market Is glutted. San Francisco Star. vice-presid- Jefferson the Visionary. Every man and woman who has brain of a superior quality Is a visionary. It Is only the dull, senseless clod who has no visions of a higher fed humanity; of an international brotherhood wherein there shall be no soldiers and few policemen; of a holler church, better Judges and better laws. These were some of the visions of Jefferson. M. M. Trumbull. The only way a man can pick out the latest style in a milliners show window is by the pries card attached. Dr-GUNN- S PILLSw ueie Headache and Uy.p-ti.- ia A movement of tbe non for health. Thar neither Vince yttn, we will meil .... ,i nr tan non hit he. Sold by dniaalnte. Bl. I0SANU CS., HIM., PA. 7000BiCYCi.ES 1 carried over from unmtul i;rsss.ra.&s ell make, S3 to gijj WtiUp on entrant riK scent payamt. Writ :nln lint and art catalogue - -Fit f.T. for BlCYtIT, w..Ia W on lo advert lae Ibwn. Mend fur one. Nldee agents earned. Learn how to Earn n end make inuou K. B. MEAD CYCLE CO., CHICAGO. owt Bl-y- rle FENWICK niTITtlTO LAWRENCE. Wash r A I UN I a MASON. legion, 1). C. Head for 17th analvanaiy work on patents rasa, lllgbait mfi'ncss. 1 npnPQY ant discovery: - quick relief and cures Wtim Bend for hook of teitlmunlala and 10 Free, an n.n.vaaaiisaoka.iiiaaia. tie. W. N. U.a Vkes Salt Lnko Asswerisg dart No. 17, 1898 Advertlsemests Hsstioa This Taper. Kindly |