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The Commoner.
WILLIAM J. BRYAN, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR
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VOL. II, NO. 19
Lincoln, Nebraska, May 19, 1911
Whole Number 539
An Ohio Example
D. S. Creamer, democratic state treasurer,
elected in Ohio in 1908, has set a good example
for the national government as well as for
other state governments. During his campaign for
election Mr. Creamer pointed out that more than
$6,000,000 of state money was deposited in banks
at a flat rate of 2 per cent for inactive and
XVz per cent for active or checking accounts.
This money was deposited in various banks
throughout the state on the recommendations
of republican leaders and by no means covered
the state generally. Mr. Creamer promised the
people that if elected he would call for bids
and deposit the state's surplus money in banks
and trust companies offering the highest rate
of interest.
Complying with the pledge he had given to
the people Mr. Creamer withdrew the deposits "
from the favored banks and deposited them
upon the competitive bidding plan.
The average rate secured for inactive deposits
was 3.36 per cent per annum and 2.55 per cent
for tho active or checking accounts. The higher
rates of interest secured with the same average
daily balance compared with the old rates would
increase the revenue of the state more than
$50,000 per annum. All the banks were given
an equal opportunity to bid.
As the result of Mr. Creamer's practical re
form an act was passed by the present general
assembly of Ohio making it mandatory f(5r"tKe'
treasurer of. the state to deposit the state's,
surplus funds every two years with tho highest
bidders. Under the provisions of this act the
money was awarded to the highest bidders on
March 20, 1911, and the average rate secured
was 3.62 per cent for active and 2.65 per cent
for inactive accounts. Money was awarded the
150 banks in amounts ranging from $5,000 to
$200,000 each. The successful banks are located
in 67 of the 88 counties.
Mr. Creamer is certainly entitled to congratu
lations upon his good efforts and his example
should be imitated by others in authority.
The plan ought to be adopted by the United
States government and Mr. Creamer has ren
dered the public another service by writing
letters to the Ohio democratic representatives
in congress requesting them to consider the
advisability of the introduction in congress of
a' measure providing for the competitive bidding
plan with respect to the national deposits. "Mr.
Creamer says: "Prior to June 15, i908, the
United States government never collected any
interest on funds deposited in the national
banks. Since the above date banks are required
to pay only 1 per cent per annum on govern
ment deposits. It is my judgment that the
surplus government funds should be deposited
with the highest bidders and let the people be
the benflciary of the extra revenue derived by
such a plan."
LOG-ROLLING
The Wisconsin legislature has passed a law
having for iU purpose the abolition of "log
rolling" or vote swapping in the enactment of
state laws. This law provides that any member
who agrees to support tho bill of another mem
ber on condition of receiving t help for his own
bill will bo guilty of a felony and subject to
imprisonment or flno. A penalty is also pro
vided for a member of the legislature who
agrees to support or oppose a bill on condition
that the governor approve or veto any particu
lar measure, or that the governor shall appoint
or remove any person from public ofllco.
In the newspaper criticisms of this measure
it is pointed out that it is difficult to see how
it can be applied to any but the coarsest and
most notorious forms of abuse. There may bo
something in this criticism, but nevertheless, the
law is certain to have far-reaching moral In
fluence. "Log-rolling" has come to be the
shame of nearly every state legislature, and as
a result many bills are passed in barter and
trade rather than in serious consideration by
thoughtful legislators. It would be well if
every state in the union should pass a law
similar to the one adopted by Wisconsin. If
the passage of such a law be followed by the'
cultivation of a healthy sentiment in support
of its principles, the good results for popular
government will be considerable.
"NOW YOU SEE IT NOW YOU DON'T"
The Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal pays
a tribute to the good qualities of Mayor Gaynor,
of New York, and says: "AjCew short months.
-agowerr"pTrpTn its
fellows in praise and sympathy for tho mayor
when tie fell a victim to the bullet of a would-be
assassin. Now there is an almost unanimous
chorus of detraction and it is not at all im
possible that the rancor of the criticisms will
leave an ineradicable bitterness in a heart
which has heretofore been noted for its
kindness."
It is to be hoped that the attacks of tho
New York papers will not leave 'any scars upon
Mayor Gaynor's heart. These papers that sup
ported Mr. Gaynor for election and now de
nounce him have had the habit of villifylng a
man one day only to enthuse over him on the
succeeding day. Criticism or praise from such
sources is not therefore of tho highest impor
tance, although it is not to be wondered at that
it often embitters the lives of sensitive men.
Mayor Gaynor may have made mistakes, al
though men who know him well will Incline to
tho belief that they are head rather than heart
mistakes. The very fact that ho has won the
enmity of some of these New York newspapers
that once supported him has aroused the
suspicion of many men that the mayor may
have failed to sneeze at some time when the
corporation masters of some of these publica
tions took snuff.
Anarchist Eggs '
Hereinafter will be found an editorial that
appeared in tho Chicago Tribune tho day after
Judge Petit's opinion was rendered. The ovil
in such opinions is not In the rolease of a
criminal or in tho blocking of an Investiga
tion but Is In tho influence they exert in inflam
ing projudico and In arousing hostility to
organized authority. Sut-.h opinions might
aptly bo described as anarchy oggs for they
are tho source of anarchy. Out of them go
influences that endanger tho vory existence of
government. But damnable as tho judgo'a
action Is it will bring an incidental advantage
in that it will make some of tho supporters of
Lorlmer bgc if there are any who have not
seen it that ho stands for all that is lawless
and corrupt.
THE TILDEN INCIDENT
Judgo Potit probably does not road tho Dally
Socialist. Wo do as a matter of routine journal
ism. If Judgo Petit did he would havo noted
a few days ago an editorial upon tho arrest and
alleged kidnaping of McNamara and McManlgal.
It contrasted the summary and offectlvo
measures by which these men wore brought bc
foro tho bar of justice In Los Angeles with tho
manner In which Mr. Edward Tilden has been
treated.
The Tribune does not agree with the Daily
ocialistiasjtoyJtbe method upd Jn apprehending'
"firrSen" "charged with destroying thoXos
Angeles Times building, and has no fear that
they will not bo given a full and fair trial. But
it does not forget there is a widespread opinion
that In our courts there is one law for tho poor
man and one for tho rich, which opinion tho
episode of Mr. Edward Tilden will by no means
weaken.
Furthermore, this opinion has altogether too
much foundation. Tho good fortuno of Mr.
Tilden, though conspicuous, Is not unique, and
the Tribune invites not merely Judgo Petit but
also, and chiefly, those men in tho banking
business world whose sympathies seem to havo
been entirely on the side of Mr. Tilden, to
consider just what the growth of this opinion
will bring about.
Tho fight of Mr. Tilden against the Helm
investigation and the breakdown of the senate's
process in court are sinking deep Into the
consciousness of tho American people. Tho
defense of Lorimer, which Is really the defense
of tho powers behind Lorimer, has shocked and
arousod the wholo people. It has stirred tho
nation to a profound sense of danger, not merely
to Its welfare but to the vory existence of Its
Institutions.
Is it to bo said of tho great moneyed-interests
of tho country that whom the gods would destroy
they first make mad? Chicago Tribune.
CONTENTS
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AN OHIO EXAMPLE
ANARCHIST EGGS
JUDGES AND THE RECALL
NOW FOR THE SENATE
'A MUCH NEEDED REFORM
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PRESIDENT
DISSOLVING THE CLUBS '
BANCROFT AND THE PEOPLE'S RULE
NO WHITE SLAVES IN NEBRASKA.
TIGHTENING THE MONEY TRUST
DIRECT LEGISLATION AND ITS OPERA
TION IN AMERICA
HOME DEPARTMENT
WHETHER COMMON OR NOT
WASHINGTON NEWS
NEWS OF THE WEEK
NOW FOR THE SENATE
The democratic house of representatives is
receiving congratulations on the farmers' free
list bill. The bill passed the house by a vote
of 236 to 109. Every democrat voted for the
bill and they were reinforced by twenty-four
republicans. These republicans who were brave
enough to break from their party and vote their
convictions are deserving of high credit. Public
sentiment is so clearly in line with this free
list bill that it is difficult to understand why
any senator not controlled by special interests
would oppose it. It is to be hoped that the
senate will pass the measure without unneces
sary delay. '
ON ADVANCED GROUND
The Louisville (Ky.) Courier-Journal says:
"Lloyd-George, tho British chancellor of the
exchequer, is one of those disconcerting chaps
who persist in doing what his foolish opponents
say can't be done."
Lloyd-George has simply taken his stand on
advanced ground. He has been criticised and
sometimes laughed at, but time has vindicated
him- just as it vindicates every man who strives
for truth.
JUDGES AND THE RECALL
A New York lawyer writes to the New York
World to say: "I am strongly opposed to tho
'recall' so far as it applies to the judiciary, and
yet there ought to bo some way of getting rid
of judges who are corrupt without any way of
establishing it by legal evidence, or who havo
been placed on the bench through corporation
influence. Such judges can hardly if ever bo
reached by the process of Impeachment or by
the action of tho legislature on tho recommen
dation of tho governor, for the reason that, as
already stated, it is almost Impossible to present
legal proof and though everybody conversant
with public matters feels that it is a public
scandal for such judges to be continued in
office."
Why not, then, trust the matter to the people
who elect the judges? Certainly if they were
competent to choose a judge in the first place
they would bo fair enough not to recall him
without good reason.
Can anyone suggest any method, other than
the recall, of meeting tho desired end pointed
out by this New York lawyer?
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