depreciated the currency and placed luxuries beyond the reach of the commonalty. Rapidly there appeared a general feeling of remonstrance against these parvenus and a desire to curb their pride. Somehow, it was felt that the excessive currency furnished them their opportunities, and the People's or conservative party was organized, whose platform demanded a high tax rate and the arbitrary creation therefrom a government reserve in order to contract the currency.
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DITCHING
The speculators now, in turn, organized the "Free Tin" party and their popular appeal was "high wages, plenty of work and prosperity." They told their workmen that they now were able to pay but fifty cents a day, and if currency should be shortened, they could pay only twenty-five cents; whereas, as everyone knew, it required a minimum of fifty cents a day to pay for meals, lodging and taxes. These arguments carried with the voters, and the People's party was overwhelmed. The currency continued to depreciate, and the millionaires to flourish till the end of the season.
In 1897 Mr. George took the matter in hand and returned to his policy of 1895. He became again sole landed proprietor and capitalist. He considers this as far from the ideal, but as a means of regulating the currency, it is the only secure plan yet devised. He now pays directly, or through his sub-contractors,
