Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1886-08-14
THE SILVER QUESTION.

State in the near futare, the idea that the
present administration at Washington is in
any manner to blame was secuted at by one
of the gentlemen present and have no doubt
but that he is sincere and honest in his con-
victions. In the hope of reaching this gen
tleman, this communication is written; and,
as there are, no doubt, many others in this
State and upon this coast who are OF the
same opinion, it is hoped that some few Of
them may also be encountered and their er.
ronious ideas dissipated. Two years ago,
Democratic speakers, while urging upon US
the necessity for change in the administra-
ton of the affairs of government, cited among
other wrongs committed by the Republican
administration, the retention in the United
States Treasury Of the enormous sum of one
hundred and forty millions Of dollars in ex-
cess Of all legal requirements, and set forth
that this amount should be distributed
among the people in payment of bonds, in
ternal Improvements, encouragement of in
dustries, arts and sciences, etc. This argu
ment seemed logical, and is evidence of the
| fact that the Democrats at that time were
we'll aware Of the evil that was being done
| by Withholding this vast sum Of money from
the people to whom itrightfully belongs and
forcing them to pay annually the amount Of
four million two hundred thousand dollars
for interest on bonds which might have been
cancelled with this money lying idle in the
vaults Of the Treasury.
| From this statement, is was but reason.
able to suppose, that upon the accession Of
Mr.. Cleveland. immediate steps would be
taken to disburse these millions, but the con-
bred millions Of dollars have been adde d
thereto. About six millions Of dollars per
month have been withdrawn from circula-
ton. DON'T jump at this and say six million
dollars in an off-hand way, but think Of it,
realize if you can, the vaslnesss of this sum
of money-reflect from whom it has been ex-
torted. Reflect that every dollar Of il repre-
sents SO much Of sweat, OF toll, OF slavery
and OF human Ii fe worn out. SIX millions
OF dollars per month. Disguise it as you
will; cover it from sight as you may; the
fact still remains that every dollar OF the
wealth of the nation represents SO much OF
hard and unremitling toll. Why are these
and many more millions locked up in the
United States Treasury Simply for the
purpose Of continuing the public indebt-
edness in order that millions OF dollars may
be annually wrung from the people, and 10
contract The currency OF the country. The
effect Of contracting nations currency is to
increase the values Of its obligations. AL.
ready by this contraction which is aug
mented by the decentralization of silver, the
relative value Of a one million dollar United
States bond as been increased almost one.
half and no man can predict what the ad.
vance will be within the present year. Who
are they who have pro6ted by this advance ?
They are not many. None Of them are
poor Some live in Europe and some in
America. Among the Americans, are the
| uahiSs Vi NdhuciDllt, Mills, OOulu, L All anu
many Others familiar TO you. The con,rac.
ton has given Mr.. Fair almost five million
dollars which possibly accounts for our Sen
ator's conspicuous stiffness on the silver
question.
Who are they who are called upon to sus.
tain this great loss (for it is one Of the i'm.
mutible laws that for every gain there is
corresponding loss). My friend, you are in
timately acquainted with some Of them. You
can lay your hand on one without leaving
your seat. Your friends, neighbors and &C
quaintanccs--as we'll as the writer Of this
are all called upon TO make it good. 1t is a
mortgage upon our homes and bond upon
our children and our childrens children.
Can you comprehend its meaning 1t is
slavery, ignorance, poverty and crime. With
every turn Of the wheel. the rich become
richer and the poor poorer. There is still
remedy, which, If applied, would act like
magic. Use every surplus dollar in the
United States Treasury IN dischargiug the
public debt, and give us free coinage for our
silver. For this object, every man and
woman in Nevada should labor. Without
its accomplishment, the State of Nevada will
/ al, Il Al.