Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-08-07
SHALL WE CLOSE OUR M1NEsq

SHALL WE CLOSE OUR MINES? {
The conspiracy against silver demands
organization and action on the part of
mine owners. We have petitioned, and
our petitions have been disregarded We
have shown to our Congre ssmen and TO
the great industries OF our country, how
their interests are affected by the decline
in silver. Cotton, wheat, iron and wool,
are all reduced in price by the low price
OF silver Labor will be the next great
interest which will be paralyzed by this
conspiracy. We, as mine owners, have
furnished the silver which has enabled |
England to supply its cotton trade, and |
to dictate the price for silver throughout |
the world. The law of the land compels
the Secretary OF the Treasury to purchase
s., 900, 900 of silver per month, that makes
S24, 900, 900 per year; our product annu-
ally is about $6O,000,OOO. To meet the
demands OF the mint and the arts, re-
qures not over $45 100000 per year, and
this leaves about $20,OOO,0O0 to 90 to
London for their Eastern trade
Now there is a heroic remedy, and it
should be applied. Every mine which
produces only or chiefly silver, should be
closed for one year, or until the price of
silver justifies running It. At present the
whole decline and loss is thrown upon
mine owners. Freight, machinery, tim
Der, COAL and general supplies and
labor, are all rs high rs when silver was
$11O per ounce. The mines cannot stand
this great reduction; they must sooner
or later close down, or silver must rise in
price, or it must be produced at a less
cost. Let the mines stop their produc-
ton, let the Secretary OF the Treasury
and the London spectators and India
merchants try to get their supply from
other sources. Let the farmers, the
manufacturers, railroad men, furnace
men and all other people feel the loss OF
patronage from the great mining indus
tries of the West, and let the whole busi-
+ ness interests OF the land know the
8 value OF this immense revenue, and the
day will not be far distant when silvel
, will be equal with gold not only in the
, markets of the world, but under the law
a Cut off the supply for the India and Tho
o China trade; cut off the supply for ever
q our own coinage, and in twelve months
1. the silver in our mines will be wortt
4 $1.10 per ounce or more.
| We suggest that all silver mine owners
Al. .l....
, ern cities, unite mt once, and stop the
n work. We are working against ourselves
i As Congress has adjourned without en-
l. acting free coinage law, let us come to
l. gether in State and Territorial councils
/. and take action, and let us decide
close our silver mines. We hold it in on
n hands to put the price of silver where i
1t justice it belongs, on a par with gol
TO and equal, under the law, with golt
II The best way to open the eye
a. OF the people in the fall election, and
n insure the election of Congressman VIII
Or are friends OF the peoples money, and G
is giving equal rights to gold and silver III
,e der the law, is to stop work, stop pul
,e chasing supplies, stop giving freights t,
1t railroads, stop employing men when, a
g. you know, every days work is a loss t
lie you; stop furnishing powder to you
q enemies. The question is a simple one
" the arts, the Government, and ordinat
,e trade, must have silver. The America
w miners furnish the silver, an
m London spectators and India me
a chants in London, fix the price on IL
ID whole product OF the whole world. Wn
nd we are furnishing, enables them to n
o. duce the price and to keep the pric
ne low. Let us break the game. We hol
IN the power, and in using it, we are but d
be Tending our property and our rights. o
silver in the mines will pay us bett
n than in the markets OF London or Ne
- York. Close the mines, hang up Il
stamps, and month by month you will s
silver rise toward its natural and ju
~ ratio OF one to sixteen to gold
80, there is mine which must run becau
!. OF water, then we urge upon them
-, store their bullion and keep it out OF t
~ market. 1t will be the very best kind
y" ore investment, for it will enhance
own value, and that OF all silver unmne
Now is the time to act. We CONNIE
o" this policy to all owners OF silver min,