THE ALLIANCE - INDEPENDENT.
19
SPOKEN TO THE EAR. ,
Broken to the Heart While Enacting
Laws, Law.Makers Break Them.
It is clearly the duty of every cit
len to uphold and obey the law. It
is absolutely obligatory upon law
frame r 3 to do so. Every congress
man and senator, taking oath of
office solemnly before the people, call
ing God to witness at the bar of his
country, pledge his sacred honor
and his manhood's intelligence to
support the constitution of the United
States, and fulfill those obligations
which he has voluntarily assumed,
and which constitute the highest call
ing and dignity the noblest office
within the gift of the nation. The
late unpleasantness" resulting from
a clean cut violation of decency, and
all the rules governing the abuse of
liquor in congress, brings promi
nently forward some extraordinary
facts. Feeling confident that much
"was rotten in the state of Denmark."
some inquiries were addressed to Hon.
John G. Otis of Kansas, an ardent
prohibitionist, who has taken a more
than superficial interest in the recent
Watson investigation. His reply
runs:
In re3ponso to yours. Cth inst,
will say. our investigation into the
law and rules governing the sale of
intoxicating liquo s in the national
capitol satisfied us that it was not
law or rule against the sale of spirit
ous liquors in either wing of the
basement that was so much needed as
a public sentiment that would enforce
the laws and rules now governing the
subject
The written contract of the com
mittee on public Buildings and
grounds in the housa of representa
tives, with the present keeper of the
house restaurant, in express terms
forbids the -sale of spirituous liquors'
upon the premises, but, as I under
stand, no one has made any objection
or called the attention of the com
mittee to the matter, so the traffic
has proceeded without interruption
and unchallenged until the late in
vestigation was commenced. If you
will call at the committee room of
public buildings and grounds.' the
clerk will furnish you access to the
contract with the restaurant keeper.
Every member of congress would
seem to be responsible in. some
measure for the liquor traffic carried
on at the capitol. in the house wing
the rooms arid restaurant are especial
ly under the charge of tho speaker
and the committee on public buildings
and grounds. But this fact would not
prevent any member from entering
protest against the traffic who might
feel so inclined." John G. On?.
Acting upon the suggestion con
tained in the foregoing., an Economist
representative called at the commit
tee rooms mentioned, with the result
of finding the doors locked and the
clerks 'gone away for the rest of the
summer." An affable janitor further
remarked, "that even when they
were on duty they did not come down
more than once a week." So the
clause of the lease governing the
house restaurant cannot now be cited
verbatim, but it does exist, and it is
hourly violated. In the senato a
positive rule exists No. 10 which
runs: "No spirituous liquors shall be
sold, furnished or kept in the restau
rant" which is hourly violated. From
1837 to 187a a joint rule providing
that "no spirituous liquors shall be
offered for sale or exhibited within
the capitol. or on the public grounds
adjacent thereto'' prevailed, and has
become a dead letter through viola
tion. The speaker of the house is
directly responsible or the existing
order of affairs, ai he directly con
trols all such matters in his province
the vice president in the senate,
and, as Mr. Otis sa a "every mem
ber of congresi" It is not the pur
pose of this paper to invade the realm
of men's private affairs, nor to preach
personal salvation. It strikes at the
root of the evil the cause, not the
effect Let the law-makers either abol
ish their own ruies. and openly and
frankly affront temperance, good con
duct and morals, clothed in tho cour
age of open viciousness, or let them
cease to parade a "virtue when they
have it not" This is the charge
they have continuously, knowingly
and wilfully broken the law while en
acting law. It is true and it canno7
be d Is proven.
Good Ciovrrnment
Is what we all want It should be
the object of all political agitation,
and the end of all political action.
But wo do not always get it from
thee sources; for politics are. many
times, anything else but models of
propriety and masculine virtue.
When this is so tho people suffer, and
public interests are neglected, save as
they are appropriated to vile use3 and
nefarious ends. To correct all this,
integrity, determination and courage
are necessary;, professions and prom
ises are plenty they are cheap mo
tors of influence, and too often cor
rect nothing and do not satisfy the
public demand, for a virtuous, intel
ligent patriotic people prefer sub
stance to shadow, they want perform
anco as well as promise. This is a
simple and just conclusion, which ap
peals to every truthful conception and
honest conviction. Who will not
respond let us have it with the least
possible delay. Begin now by making
goo I the popular demand for reform,
without pretense and without equivo
cation. There is work for all who
share in the responsibilities and ob
ligations ef the government under
which we live. National View.
Cau's Ignore It.
One of the leading financial paperfc
mattes this statement: "The average
price of products and agricultural
property has fallen fully 7 per cent
during the past year. "This declaration
should fill ever thinking person with
alarm since it points to either univer
sal or repudiation or general bank
ruptcy. In assuming that all the
products of labor are 7 per cent
cheaper it can not be denied that
money in such a case would be 7 per
cent dearer. That is, if a man was
in debt $100 one year ago his- debt
has increased' 7 per cent and hi
means of payment decreased 7 per
cent, making a difference against him
of 7 per cent in one year. If this
proportion be true the natural in
crease of wealth in the country has
been fully mortgaged for two years to
come by the decrease in the value of
labor products. Where labor and its
products decrease in price there can
be no prosperity for the common peo
ple. mnrmurlngs In the Air.
In North Carolina, Georgia and
Mississippi Alliancemen by the thou
sands are speaking out boldly that
they will vote the People's party
ticket if the Democratic party don't
embody their demands in the national
platform They say that the day and
hour has come when principle and
not blind partisan prejudice shall con
trol their votes. The same kind of
rumbling muffled thunder tones are
heard all over Tennessee. When it is
too late the machine bosses in Tennes
see will see that they can't whip us
into line with the party lash. Its
power will be gone forever. Abuse
and slander never wins, and inde
pendent American citizens will not
submit to it Weekly Toiler.
Will Not De Imposed Ipon.
The intelligence of tho people will
aot allow them to be kept in the old
boodle parties by the cry of "You
will surely turn the state over to the
Republicans if you vote with the Peo
ple's party." Neither can the sophis
try of the politicians of the two old
parties in regard to the force bill and
negro domination, prevent them from
espousing a cause which they recog
nize as just and noble. Toiler, Tenn.
Qm Book List,
TF? Our list of choice literature is made up of the best and most
reliable reform books, by the most noted writers. If you want to
keep posted on tho great questions before the American people you
should consult the authorities, We name below a number of the
best books published. .
PAPER. CLOTH.
Gen. J. B. Weaver, A Call to Action. A valuable book that
should be read by every one, send for a copy. Cloth and Gold $1.50
Stickney, The Railroad Problem. The greatest sensation of the
year is this great book on the railway problem by a railway
president. Cloth edition has 14 illustrative diagrams $ .50 $2.00
Hamlin Garland. Mr. Garland is one of the brilliant writera of
our times, and his pen speaks eloquently in behalf of the tolling
masses. The following are some of his best vrorks:
"Jason Edwards," Treating of Farm and Factory, .$ .50 $1.25
"Main Travelled Road,' Six short stories .50 1 25
"A Member of tho Third House." The lobby in politics, .50 1.25
Ignatius Donnelly, Caesers Column, The book of the century. .50 1.25
"Dr. Huguet," Southern story with moral, :. , 50 1.25
Opie P. Read. Among American humorists Mr. Read stands at
the head, and "as a little humor now and then, is relished by
the best of men" we add two of his books to our list. They
are clean and pure, and are worthy of a place la every library.
"A Kentucky Colonel,"... ..... i 50 1.25
"Emmet Bonlore," A newspaper man, .50 1.25
Copley Square Series, Comprising ,the following four excellent
books:
"Bond Holders and Bread Winners," King .....25
"Money, Land and Transportation," three essays... 25
"Industrial Freedom," Four articles from noted authors. 25
"Esau, or Tho Bankers Victim," Bland 25
Miscellaneous and special.
"Whither are we Drifting," Willey, .50 1.25
"The Farmers' Side," Senator Peffer of Kansas, 1.00
"The Coming Climax," Hubbard, .50 1.25
"The Great Red Dragon," Woolfolk,.. . ......... .50 1.00
"Looking Backward," Bellamy, .50 1.00
"A Financial Catechism," Brice .50 1.00
"A Tramp in Society," Cowdtry .50 1.25
"Pizarro and John Sherman," Mrs. Todd 25
"Money Monopoly," Baker 25
"Labor and Capital," Kellogg .20
"'In Office," Bogy 25
"Ten Men o( Money Island", Norton .10
" " " " German edition........ 10
"Geld, Schilling," German edition .10
"Seven Financial Conspiracies," Emery. . ................... . .10
Songs and Music.
"Songs of the People." Gibson. Words only. . .10
"Songs of the People," Published in sheet music.
send for catalogue and prices. They are number one.
"Labor and Alliance Songster," words only .10 per doz. $1.10
" " " " " Music edition .20 by ex 2.00
" " " " " " . " ' " b'd covers. .25 " 2.50
"Songs of Industry," Howe 25 " 2.50
Parliamentary Guides
"CushingV Manual . .paper .25 cloth .50
"Smith's" Diagram and Rule3 '.. 50
"Roberts" Rules of Order 75
Any book on this list sent post paid on receipt of price. Liberal discounts
to Alliances or clubs wishing to purchase a library.
We are offering the Alliance-Independent one year, and any 50c book
on the list for only $1.35. . Address.
Alliance Publishing Co,
Lincoln, Nebr.,
1886.
Farmers Supply & Grain Co.
OFFICE 511 CHAMBER COMMERCE BUILDING.
D. M. FOLW.LEH. Bu.. At. F. nxer. CHICAGO, III.
General MercantUe and Grain Business,'
WHY NOT SHIP YOUR Oil GRAIN,
We have successfully demomstrated that the farmer can do his
own shipping and save money. He pays the same freight as the
local grain dealer, is at the same expense in selling, ge's the same
prices and saves the dealers profit.
Load a car, bill to us and we will do the rest and make prompt
returns. Should you desire you can draw on us for three-fourths
the home value, and attching draft to bill of lading.
We send market reports on application.
Many farmers are now shipping grain to us why not make a
trial shipment of a car and find out if direct shipment will benefit
Consign the car and mail bill of lading to our address.