A Speech on the Principles of Finance

by Victoria C. Woodhull

The national bank and other currency would be gradually called in at the rate of, say ten per cent. a month.

I may add in justification of this plan, that if the Government can loan three hundred millions to the banks for nothing, it can loan to the people for three per cent.; if at the same time it can pay three per cent. on its bonds and in currency, instead of six per cent. and in gold, it secures a new-found advantage.

But one of the chief benefits which would come to the people from the proposed currency would be the interest which would accrue to the government—all the people—for the use of this money. In other words, all the interest now paid to banks of issue for loans, for the same convenience should be paid to the government. A part of the people, for the use of money belonging to all the people, themselves inclusive, would pay interest to the government therefor. And what more legitimate method of governmental support than this, if by it all other means of taxation could be annulled? The interest now paid by the people of the country to the Banks and Capitalists would, twice over, pay all costs of maintaining the government. A three per cent. interest paid to the government on all loans the people required would not only relieve the people who produce wealth of one-half the interest they now pay, but also of all taxes of all kinds. Is not this a matter to be looked into in the most serious manner?

With such a currency system once inaugurated, the country would begin a gradual process of general prosperity. Wealth, instead of accumulating in a few hands, would continually tend to an equal distribution among all producing people. A large part of the speculative mania would be rendered futile, and those now devoting all their time to hatching schemes by which to defraud the producing classes of their wealth would be compelled to turn producers themselves. It is calculated that one-tenth of the male population of this country is engaged in speculative pursuits. In other words, they ‘live and grow fat’ from those who are engaged in production. And that is our boasted equity, our equality.

It should be the object of all reform to make a nearer approach to a system of complete justice and a perfect equity. Any reform that does not base itself upon such a proposition and whose outlook is not in this direction is no reform, and does not deserve the serious attention of any. There is scarcely an idea prevalent in the community of what true justice and equity consist. But it may be stated as follows: No person has any just claim to the ownership of anything which he did not produce or which he did not acquire by an equitable exchange of something which he did produce. Tested by this rule, the accumulated wealth of the world is in unjust hands; it is held by those who have a no better title thereto than if they had actually stolen it. It has been fraudulently acquired, and that is the word which best expresses the manner of its obtainment. And one of the most effective methods of remedying this growing evil is to attain to a true money system—one founded in the requirements to be met and based upon that which it is to represent—that which it is to be used to exchange. Anything that departs from these standards is not scientific money. That which has these for its standards is a scientific money.

Aside from all that has been said, there is a general principle rising into the comprehension of humanity which must of necessity dethrone that which has so long been worshiped as the money god. The day for arbitrary rule and standards is drawing to a close, whether they be standards of materiality or spirituality; of morals or intellect; of despotism or democracy. Gold is an arbitrary money standard, and with all others of like character must fall. The tendency of the world is against it, and its doom is already sealed. It has been weighed in the balance and found wanting.

The interest of the common people, who should always hear every new Christ, demands a reform in our monetary and financial systems. We are aware, however, that there is a great deal of prejudice in their minds in favor of “hard money,” and they must be awakened to the fact that hard money is a myth—a play upon words—a deception practiced upon them by those who have played the part of “the appropriators of wealth” lo! these many years, and who would continue to filch year after year all that the “toiling millions” can compel nature to yield up to them. In this process the laboring classes are the mere avenues through which the earth pours its wealth into the coffers of the capitalists.

Some object that the very numerous and intricate methods to which resort would be required would prove unmanageable, and that corruption would inevitably creep in and undermine its usefulness. Let such consider our almost perfect postal system, and how well balanced are all its movements and checks, and find therein their answer. Would there be more intricacy in the proposed system than there now is in the present? Do not all national banks, though nominally distinct, really have a common fountain head in government? Does not all their currency come from government? Suppose all these banks, instead of being independent institutions, were an organized system, having a common head, as the banks of New York City virtually have in the Clearing House, would not that be a condition so nearly related to the system which would be required as to show its entire practicability?

Indeed, there is scarcely need that there should be a new department inaugurated to bring such a currency home to the people. Perhaps there never was a system operated in which there was less proportionate loss through its executive officers than in our postal system. And this is because the responsibility comes home to the people. The postmaster is always a resident of the place in which he officiates, and, either with or without a civil service law, should be the appointee of the citizens whom he is to serve; and, of course, would be a person possessing their special confidence. To such persons might the care of the public money well be intrusted; and in all places except cities a single person could perform both the services of postmaster and of United States financial agent.

Means can be easily devised to make all post offices offices for loaning, as they now sell post office stamps and money orders.