The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-09-07

lasses, coffee and hides free OF all duties
in the Mckinley bill, but instead Of
that passed a law in which we asked
the several nations interested what
they would give to have those arti-
cles made free. We found that the
privileges which we were about to give
without cost and without charge would
secure large trade in Brazil, in Cuba
and Porto Rico, in the windward and
leeward islands, in British Guinea and
Jamaica, San Domingo and the five Cen
tral American states, and to q minor
degree in Austria, France and Germany
all in exchange for the articles which
we had intended to 2ratuitously. admit.
The free list OF the Mckinley law is
larger in the number OF articles and in
the aggregate amount OF their import
value than the dutiable list What would
have been the result TO the United States
if every article, before 1t was put
on the free list had been made the sub:
ject OF inquiry as to what would
we get in exchange for it? We omit
ted to do so for many years. And that
neglect has cost the government advan-
tages in trade which would have
amounted to tens Of millions OF dol
lars.
This is the whole of the reciprocity
scheme. 1t is very plain and very sim
Pile. 1t secures valuable trade in ex-
change for articles otherwise destined
to be put on the free list. The Demo-
cratic party think they can discredit,
and they make the effort, apparently,
for the unpatriotic reason that they did
not originate it.
THE CURRENCY.
8. With all its calamities the war
brought us ono great blessing-national
currency. Prior to the war
we had the worst currency sys-
tenn of any enlightened nation
in the world. The state banks
with some exceptions, were thoroughly
irresponsible. They existed by thou
sands throughout the United States.
Whenever one Of them failed the re-
suit was large loss and great dis
tress among the people. No one was
responsible for their bills, and they
were generally found scattered
in the pockets Of the laboring man,
to whom they were total loss, without
any redemption whatever. With the
state banks it was often and truly said
that their debts were the measure Of
their profits. They have caused an
aggregate loss of hundreds OF millions
OF dollars among the poor. Since the
close of the war this is different. Every
paper dollar that circulates among the
people has the United States behind it
as guarantee.
Under those circumstances it is a
matter for extraordinary surprise that
the Democratic convention should de-
liberately pass resolutions for the
revival of state banks. The pal
pablo effect OF this policy, if carried
out, would be to cheat the poor man
out of his daily bread. If State banks
be adopted and their circulation attain
a large issue no device could be more
deadly for the deception and despoil-
ment Of all the commercial and labor.
ing classea.
A MYSTERY.
How the Democratic convention
came to make such declaration, who
was its author, what intelligent pur-
pose was in it, will remain a mystery.
/ have heard the argument ad-
duced that we would keep tine
money at home II the state banks were
instituted; but we should keep it at
home because 1t would be SO worthless
that nobody would take it abroad.
Were the system OF state banks re-
viyed we would again have dis
counts aT the state lines, large
charges for drafts on financial cen.
tres and general suspicion OF every bill
offered in payment, with a liquidation
every few years that would be destruc-
tive loss to the innocent holders OF bills
and a corresponding profit to the par
ties owning the banks.
The three issues which 1 have given
are the issues on which l would arraign
the Democratic party. l would not
multiply issues nor be diverted by our
opponents from q steadfast adher-
ence to, and constant presentation OF
these questions before the people until
every voter Is made to know and under
stand their true and weighty signif-
cance. Very sincerely yours,
JAMES G.. BLAINE.