The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-11-28

cressnAu Symmes of Colorado. Symmes
referred TO the article from John Jay
Knox in which Knox took position ad-
verse 10 the sentiments of the convention,
and said; This is the man who advised
congress to demonetize silver from 1870 to
1871, because, as he argued, an American
dollar exceeds by 3 per cent. the standard
of gold, and viii not circulate but will be
exported for recoinage." Congressman
Symmes was followed by Senator Stewart,
OF Nevada, whose remarks evoked frequent
outbursts OF applause. The senator's nd-
dress was an on hand talk md seemed 10
suit the delegates better than the printed
papers 10 which they had previously listened.
In the course of his remarks Stewart said
nations have tried lead. iron and copper,
but .nally all civilized and semi-civilized
peoIie have decided on silver, The use Of
silver is prehistoric. The first we heard OF
the use of silver was as money, while gold
was hgst used as an ornament, and later as
money. For three thousand years or more
these have been the metals out of which
money could be manufactured, / say, MS
long as dollar can be manufactured
out of given quantity OF silver or gold, "
makes no difference TO the owner what bull
lion he has. With either he can get dol
lar, and with that dollar buy the same
amount of labor or property. There is
nothing like the scarcity OF money. Pow
erty, inability 10 pay debts, inability TO
support a family will make men towards.
The creation of the great middle classes of
England was brought about by the discovery
of gold in Mexico and South America.
Free silver in Europe was the cause of peo.
pie having some money and becoming indie
pendent. The farmers of our country to-
day, in consequence of the Vaccinations of
the money kings and gold monometnllists,
are losing the independence of character for
which they have been noted. Their mort
gages are making them towards. will not
stop 10 explain how this silver demonetiza-
ton fraud was committed; there was no
discussion in the senate, not n word, not n
suggestion in the senats that dollar was to
be omitted. There is nothing in the record
of the senate TO show how that dollar
got out. The conferences Of the committee
do not show IL, but we find the fact 10 be
that silver was omitted. | call upon the
people To explain how il occurred. There
is x25,UO,OO of national debt we know
of, and 1t is estimated there il at least three
times as much other debt-county municipal
corporation. etc.-making a hundred thou
sand millions in all. Two mil
lions of gold and silver was being manu-
factued month. People had right TO
rely on that. Now this scheme cut of one
half of that supply and the debtor is bound
by that contract. Senator Stewart closed
by urging that there be plain demand upon
| congress 10 remonetize silver, no dallying,
no compromise, but straight demand,
Meet the creditor" he said, face 10 face.
for if you must yield him your property,
you might as well do IL now "a in the
| future"
The report of the committee ON resolu-
tions was read, recommending memorial
/ t..a "A lt.s.. L..
| fixing the coinage value of gold nj twenty
five and eight-tenths grains, and silver al
4l2l grains, standard fineness: the pur-
chase of at least Si,00O.0O0 of silver bullion
each month, and the free unlimited coinage
of silver and gold on full and equal privi-
lege under the coinage laws. After some
| discussion these resolutions were recommit-
ted for correction.
Calamity" Weller, of Iowa, dissented
from the views of the other members of the
committee and presented a minority report,
| III which he asked AN endorsement of the
| act of congress of 1884, by which six per
cent of the material was taken out Of The
gold dollar coin; also an endorsement of
the legislation which made the silver dollar
OF 3S5 $40 grains, nine-tenths fine, equiva.
lent to 4l2i9 grains, nine tenths fine, dol
lar before the law and and in all courts of
record in limited payments. This. he
stated. would demonstrate faith in the cor
rectness of the conclusions of the supreme
court, that the material of which money is
composed has nothing whatever 10 do with
properties impaired 10y congress. and will
become demonstration Of the purpose TO
finally reach "A financial system which shall
be as purely national as the constitution,
and also wise and patriotic element in the
ilnal solution of the vexed tariil question.
After the reading of a telegram from the
president of the Industrial league AT Wash.
ington, urging unlimited coinage of silver.
the convention adjourned until tomorrow.