Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-28
SENATOR SIBERIAN ON SILVER


He Discusses Free Coinage In His Openius
Campaign speech.
Senator Sherman delivered his opening sd-
dress before 5000 persons at Pauling, Ohio,
yesterday afternoon. He confined himself 70
discussion Of the silver question, pointing out
the dangers Of free coinage Of silver and snounc-
ing the attitude Of the democracy OF Ohio on this
issue. He made . very lengthy argument TO
prove that the free coinage of silver would
make this the silver dumping ground Of the
world and result in q deprecated currency.
Speaking Of the free coinage plank Of the
democratic platform he said:
II was opposed by two-ffths Of the mem
oers OF their convention. 1t was adopted only
~ political expedient to catch votes for this
election. II is at war with all the traditions
and principles Of the old democratic party. II
II opposed by the leading democratic organs Of
the commercial cities, north and south, east
and west. Gov. Campbell, your candidate for
governor, shrinks from it rs from a pestilence
lie tries TO abandon it and says in two weeks il
VIII not be heard of in the canvass do not
Intend that 1t shall escape discussion. l know
ana you know that il the democratic party sue
ceeds this fall in Ohio the free coinage of silver
will become the fixed policy OF that party. 1t
Will be on your back firmly ~ the old man
OF the sea on Sinbad the sailor. want kindly,
put plainly. to invoke the attention of our
this matter. President Cleveland, i'll u formal
letter, Joints out clearly the inevitable results
OF this policy.
While he was President, with a democratic
House OF Representatives in Congress, no such
measure was proposed. President Harrison is
known to entertain the same opinions Yet
now. under strange leadership. this scheme to
change the standard of value is pressed into
our state canvass.
l believe it is the result of bar gain between
what is called 1.-The national executive silver
committee composed OF representatives Of the
great silver mining corporations Of the United
States, with some of the leaders of the demo-
cratic party, by which a portion Of the profits
OF these corporations is TO be invested in this
Ohio canvass to defeat the republican party,
ana especially ito down John Sherman" on the
issue o. the tree coinage of YER. Az for my
sell, 1t is a matter of little importa have
had some experience iii such contests before.
am very willing to abide BY the Judgment of
the people of Ohio But what do care for is
that the state of Ohio shall not i'll any way be
Responsible for the adoption of the policy pro-
posed by this combination, or for the evils that
VIII surely How from it, They invoke in it's
support O new party, calling itself the peoples
party. which is represented mainly by the dis
clples OF the old greenb ack, fiat money craze,
some OF whom do their planting in law offices,
and whose crops, II they nave any, are thistles
and ragweeds They recently met ut Spring
held, and, after eliminating IRON their eonven-
ton large proportion of their number by their
Wild delusions and opinions. they announced
their platform. And what is it? some OF their
creed il the repetition of mere dogmas or
axioms to which all parties agree. Some OF it
appears to me a near approach to lunacy. hey
demand an issue Of full legal-tender treasury
notes in sufficient volume to conduct the bust
ness OF the country on a cash basis. ami to loan
this money to the people at a rate of interest
not to exceed per cent. They demand the
free and unlimited coinage OF silver govern
nent ownership OF all means OF transportation
and communication, and that the whole liquor
traffic shall be conducted by the government at
cost by saaried officers Of the nited States. /
do not attribute to our democratic friends any
with these wild notions. but thew are
committed by their platform to the fountain
head OF all these vagaries, the free coinage of
silver.
This question ought not to enter into the
schemes OF politicians to promote temporary
success. Democrats and republicans are inter
ested alike in having good money OF fixed value