| OCR Text |
Show PILLS AND POLITICS. would look Possibly many oi our readers for good articles on politics in a great many places before they would think of looking into a medical journal for them. But, friends, that is where you are "off. The Medical World, published at Philadelphia, Pa., and edited by Dr. C. F. Taylor, every month contains splendid articles on the issues of the day. Its last issue contained a "corker, extracts from which are published in nearly every reform paper that comes to our desk this week. Dr. Taylor sent the following questions to all the Congressmen and Senators, asking their opinions upon them: (1) Do you favor postal savings banks, and will you vote for them in Congress if opportunity presents? If not, why not? (2) Do you favor government ownership and operation of the telegraph as a part of the postal system, and will you vote for the same if opportunity presents? If not, why not? (3) Do you favor government ownership of the postal cars, and a requirement that the railroads haul them for the government at as low a rate as they grant to other parties for a similar service? and will you vote for the same if opportunity presents? If net, why not? Many did not answer at all. Every reformer answered promptly and in the affirmative. But you will be somewhat surprised at the arrogance and stupidity of some of the answers. Here is H. M. Tellers answer: "I do not wish to appear to be discourteous in refusing to answer your questions. The demands of this kind upon a public man are very great and cannot be answered without a great less of time, the questions often demanding much thought and much research before an intelligent answer can be made. I have made it a rule not to answer letters of that character, but to let my work in the Senate speak for me. My position on the subject of postal savings banks, government telegraphs, etc., can be learned from the record that I have made in the Senate, and I do not feel that in justice to myself I can answer inquiries of the character you make. Remember that this is the same great that nearly the whole of the "reformer West, including a great many Populists, wanted to head the reform forces in 1896! Mr. Jas. K. Jones, of Arkansas, the great leader and national chairman of the "rejuvenated Democracy, of which none is gen uine except that it contains a portrait of Wm. J. Bryan with Jas. K. Jones blown in the bottle, what opinion do you hold on these three great questions? Hear him: "I have a postal card from you, saying that you have heretofore written me asking for categorical answers to certain questions It seems to me that public questions require careful consideration, and each should be thoroughly understood before final action, and should not be answered in this categorical way. I have certain views on these questions, but am open to conviction, and remain so until the time comes for action. The same old Bryan doge of not being posted. Better post up or quit. We are tired of prating fools who have not had time to post themselves. John M. Thurston makes the following answer: "I regret very much to disoblige you, but I make it my rule to announce my views on political and legislative problems, either in or out of the Senate, when I think the occasion is fitting, and I cannot reply to the multitudinous questions addressed to me on such subjects. When we consider the source, Mr. Thurstons answer is in keeping with all his pretentions. He btlongs to that class who consider that the earth belongs and, of right, ought to belong to the corporations. Senator John D. Wilson, of Washington, gives the following insolent answer: am in receipt of your postal card of as also of your letter of May 13th, 28th, May and beg to say that the former was not answered for the reason that it is not my custom to cast my vote on matters of legislation "I before the same are presented in the Senate. There are a number ot others whose answers were equally as evasive and foolish. Representative Corliss, of Michigan, thinks "the time of members should not be by persistent communications like yours. Nortnaway, of Ohio, whiningly says: "I be called upon to dynt see why I shouldfired Poor at me. answer every question fellow! Representative Hay insolently "denies your right to question me on public quesHes got it bad! tions, whatever they be. is not published, Senator Pawlins reply while Senator Cannon like a man stands up and says: "Answering the inquiries in your letter of I May 13th, numbered 1, 2, 3, say emphatically yes. Good for Senator Cannon! con-sum- ed BANKERS AND BRAINS. The dense ignorance of the masses is something appalling. Especially is this true when we consider the opportunities that the people have for learning. And when we speak ly remarked that a combination of capitalists or corporations could well afford to pay as much as one million dollars for the deciding vote, and it is readily seen that a situation might at any time arise, in court or legislaof the masses being ignorant we include in tive assembly, where it would be "good busithis aggregation many, in fact, nearly all, of ness policy for corporations to pay almost the upper tens, the "better class- any price to carry their point. A common reply to any attempt at polities, so to speak; that is to say; the bankers. cal It has been less than two years since that a proselyting is: "If your men get in they banker in Salt Lake City had the temerity to will be no better than those now in; they will expose his ignorance, not only of law, but sell you out; they are all alike all after What can we say to opinions based of current events, to the extent of arguing boodle. so believe others and trying to make largely upon actual experience? Have not that the all parties time and again sent men to Congovernment is responsible for money deposited with a national bank. He even went so gress and the Legislatures in whom the voters for as to deny that any depositor in a national had implicit confidence, only to find sooner bank had ever sustained loss by the bank or later that their trusted servants had succumbed to the lobby? Do not understand me foiling. But that was not what we started to tell. as asserting that all men in public life are evil A few days ago, while standing at a certain minded; but having, by our present political comer in Salt Lake City in company with system made public life attractive chiefly to several other gentlemen, an employe of the dishonest men, and dangerous for all who bank that does business on the same corner enter it, can we now reasonably hope to find came out of the bank with an armful of let- enough men, even for our more important ters and began to deposit them in the mail- offices, who are so pure and strong as to be box that stands there. One of the crowd beyond the need of praying, "Lead us not How many such men do remarked: "Here is a man who is not afraid into temptation? we find office the seekers of any parof Socialism see how he walks right up to among that box and deposits his letters. A look ty? and it is as yet, and ever will be under of great surprise came over the face of the our present system, the office seeker who banker, who exclaimed: "Socialism! Whats gets the office. Can we, then, prevent dislaw? Perhaps not by law alone; Socialism? "Why, the postoffice system. honesty by but we are only just beginning to learn the "How can you make that out? Isnt the of and shall some day meaning environment, postoffice system supported by the governhave let us ceased, hope, to echo the quesment, and isnt Socialism opposed to the tion of Cain. Law has succeeded to some exIt was explained to him that government? in tent moking it difficult or dangerous for the postoffice system is the most intensel) the to execute their designs; but Socialistic institution on earth, and that it is Crime is the most useful department in the entire whence come the shown be to in daily increasing, spite of all government, and that Socialists do not purfear of punishment. Law is yet only upon pose to destroy government, but to extend the threshold of its true work the removal it and to broaden its field of usefulness, and of temptation and opportunity. The Austraso on. The banker evinced great surprise, lian ballot has, wherever used, practically but was not convinced, for with him it was: done away with bribery and intimidation at Perish the thought that he had ever patronized a Socialistic institution ! To our mind, the polls; and having thus, by a simple device of law practically abolished the lesser nothing is plainer than that handling money does not necessarily add to a mans brain evil, shall we continue to bow before the greater one, though it is not the less curable? power. Now, some may ask: "Why this assault Shall we sit calmly down, with temptations daily increasing in strength and number, and upon the intelligence of the banking class? Here is the answer: For the past ten years wait for human nature, under such conditions, more particularly those at the head of the to reach perfection? The referendum, by givthe people direct and practical means government have practically told the people ing to fiL passing upon all important bills, would that the only men on earth who know anyv thus deprive our representatives of all thing are the bankers; that a resolution value at once protecting ourselves passed, or a conclusion reached by a convention of bankers, is next to infallibility and destroying the power of the tempter. Much space might be occupied in dwelling itself; that they not only handle all the monwhich would ey but that they positively hold a corner on upon even the immediate benfits be sure to follow the adoption of the Referall the brains. Hence, all the recommendaendum ; but after all it is not so much a questions of both Geveland and McKinley have been made at the instigation of bankers, all tion of how much the Referendum would do other people being set down as brainless for us, as it is of whether, without it, we can do anything whatever in the way of legislaintelli- tion for the people. Can we reasonably hope, That there are some under the present system, to make any headgent men in the banking business no sane man will deny; but our experience warrants way against the fast growing power of money? us in saying that, as a class, upon the issues Let us not forget, however, in our impatience of the day, they are the most densely ignor- for perfection, that the character of our govant of any calling with which we have met. ernment cannot, under vhatsoever perfection of form, surpass in wisdom or virtue the charThey know how to count money and calculate interest, but, like all other folks, they acter of its people. Let us not be deceived by know only what they have learned and, hav- any vision of a pure stream flowing from an we can, by ing learned nothing of these things, they impure source, nor dream that know nothing of them. The fight that we are any ingenuity of political, industrial or social law of cause making is against giving bankers credit for arrangemnt, set aside the divine and effect. We shall never gather grapes what they dont know. from thorns nor figs from thistles; yet we WHAT THE INITIATIVE AND REF- may so industriously cultivate our soil and ERENDUM WOULD DO. so well adapt it to the growth of the grape The more one considers the possibilities of aad fig, that neither thorn nor thistle shall the referendum the stronger becomes his con- find therein an opportunity to ripen. When our political affairs are so adjusted viction that this measure, in connection with its logical accompaniments the Initiative, that the will of the people can have full and free expression, and all obstructions between Imperative Mandate, and Proportional Representation should be given first place the people and execution of their will are reshall have a government by the among the numerous plans for governmental moved, we will be also for the people to which reform now being so industriously agitated. people, It should be given first place because it is just the extent of their united wisdom. A. itself the key that would open the way to all L. Dart in The Twentieth Century. that legislation could possibly do for us. It MR. HESTON AT WORK AGAIN. would, by giving the people a direct and The thousands who have been entertained practical veto power over all important legis- by Mr. Watson Hestons wonderful work in lation, at once change our government from caricature will be delighted to learn that The a theoretical democracy, ruled by Wall street, Truth Seeker has again employed him, and to an actual democracy, governed by the that his illimitable cartoons will appear regupeople. larly every week, as they did of yore. All The power of money to control legislation, liberal-minde- d persons should at once show and the extent to which such power has been their approval of The Truth Seekers course and still is being used, are tno well known to by subscribing for it at once. Any one of require illustration here. Under our present Mr. Hestons cartoons is worth the subscrippolitical system wealth has become greater tion price of the paper. His cartoon for last than hnmanity; the crer.ture, by a seeming week is a telling one. He has Uncle Sam perversion of natural law, greater than its cartooned in the act of paying off a soldier creator. Money is now absolute king. But and a chaplain. To the one he is giving a how, except by some means that will take check for $13 per month, while to the other from wealth its power to control legislation, he is giving $125 as pay for the same time, can the people ever hope to regain tl eir sov- while Unde Sam is saying to the chaplain: ereignty? When the income tax case was in "One shot from your mouth is worth a the Federal Supreme Court, t was common whole volley of bullets. so-call- ed evil-minde- d evil-minde- pur-chaseab- non-enlitie- s. well-poste- d, le MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP FACTS. The price of illuminating gas in St. Louis is $1.10 per 1,000 feet, and for luel gas 90 cents per 1 000 feet, with 10 per cent rebate for payment in advance The city government has no control over the price of gas. In 1S90 an ordinance was passed by the municipal assembly, over the mayor's veto, fixing the price of illuminating gas at 95 cents and of fuel gas at 45 cents for five years thereafter. It was declared invalid by the state supreme court. Last years appropriation for public lighting in St. Louis amounted to $382,400. The total expenditure during the year was leaving a balance of $46,321 45 to be returned to the general fund. For the fiscal year ending April 7, 1890, St. Louis spent for public gas lighting For the year ending April 12, 1897, it spent $38,875 37 for gas lighting. Chicago became the owner of its electric lighting system in 1887. Today the city owns 2,254 arc lamps ot 2,000 candle power. Their average cost including all items is $36 40 per annum. Chicago is at the same time leasing 200 lamps of exactly the same power from electric lighting companies and pays $137 per lamp per year for them. Detriot established a municipal lighting plant in 894. The first official report showed that it cost $84 70 per lamp to light her streets instead of $133 80 per lamp, as it previously did. The Detroit experiment is limited to street lighting. Little Rock has maintained its own gas and electric lighting plant since 18S8. The city electrician states that the cost of the city's electric light last year, including every item of expense, was $41.20 per lamp per year. In 18S0 Dunkirk, N. Y,, established an electric plant by which the water supply and lighting service are jointly furnished. For the year ending March 1, 1897, allowing fully tor interest on the investment and all other items of cost, Dunkirks 75 arc lights of 2,000 candle power each were furnished at an expense to the taxpayers of $39 54 per year. Richmond has had a municipal gas plant since 1851. It is now supplying consumers with gas at $1 per 1,000. The people are so well pleased with their public gas service that they have secured an act of the legislature prohibiting the sale of the plant unless by authority of a popular vote. The actual cost of making and distributing the gas is 73 cents per x.ooo feet, the city treasury making a profit of 27 cents per 1,000 feet. During the 30 years from 1867 to 1897 the Richmond public gas works have yielded a net profit of $1, 174,855.29 over ar.d above all the cost of maintenance and production. This amount exceeds the total cost of the original construction and of all extensions since made by near$336,-078.5- 5, $281,-885.1- 7. 1 ly $400,000. Electric arc lights cost Bangor, Me., $35 each. Troy, N. Y., pays $61 per lamp. Each city has its own plant. Cheyenne, Wyo., with private ownership of plant, pays more for its lights than any other city in the United States namely, $162 per arc lamp. The Coming Nation. NORTONS MONTHLY. Col. S. F. Norton is in the harness again. Number Two of the New Series of Nortons Monthly is before us, and it is a dandy. It is full of common sense on the money question. It does not contain one word about "the parity between the metals, "the ratio of 16 to i," or any other nonsensical flapdoodle. Col. Norton knows that it is the fiat of the government that makes money, and he simply says so without any "ifs or "ands or "buts, and his writings are on that line. He immortalized himself a few years ago when he wrote hi3 "Ten Men of t Money Island, a little pamphlet that is worth more as an educator than all the books, large and small, that have ever been written upon the money question at this or any other time. Any man with brains who has ever read it is convinced beyond change that money is the creation of law, and that the intrinsic value idea belongs to the dark ages, and that gold and silver is money, as "money of final redemption, of barbarism. but one of the relics We congratulate the cause of reform in having so valiant a soldier to again become active in the service. We almost forgot to tell you that this same excellent magazine can be had for twenty-fiv- e cents per year, and in clubs of ten for ten cents per year. Send a dollar and your own name with nine others to S. F, Norton, No. 544 Ogden Avenue, Chicago, 111. Our word for it, you ten-cen- will not be sorry. It is hard work rowing against the tide, but it is to those who do that the credit of the worlds progress is due. |
