The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-09-16
ON THE LIVING ISSUES.
Benjamin Harrison Presents
a Letter to the Public.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOMINATION
Pretty Much the Whole Platform Cow
cred and Fully Endorsed by the
Republican Candidate.

Some Comments on the Currency Sug-
gested by the Democratic Proposal as
to State Banks-Subsidies to Ocean YES
sels-Reoiprocity Defended and Blaine
Complimented for His Persistence In
Advocating the STANDARDIZATION and
Its Effect on Progress and Prosperity
as the President Views It-Bim etallisms
Election Methods and other Matters
Presented.
rison's letter accepting the Republican
nomination for president Of the United
States has been given to the press. 1t is
dated Sept. 8, 1892, and addressed to "Hon.
William Mckinley and Others, commit
tee," etc. 1t is as follows:
GENTLEMEN now avail myself of the first
period of relief from public duties to respond
to the notification which you brought to me on
June &c, of my nomination for the Office of
president Of the United States by the Republi-
can national convention recently held at Min
neapolis. / accept the nomination, and am
grateful for the approval expressed by the con-
vention of the acts of the administration. /
have endeavored, without wavering or weari-
hess, so far as the direction of public affairs
was committed to me, to carry out the pledges
the administration have not been distinctively
and progressively American and Republican
policies. the fault has not been in the purpose,
but in the execution. shall speak frankly Of
the legislation of congress and Of the work OF
the executive departments for the credit of any
successes that have been attained is in such
measure due to others-senators and repre-
sentatives and to the efficient heads of the
several executive departments-that may do
90 without improperly.
A Challenge Promptly Accepted.
A vote of want of confidence is asked by our
adversaries; and this challenge to a review OF
what has been done we promptly and gladly
accept. The great work of the Fifty first con-
gress has been subjected to the revision OF a
Democratic house of representatives, and the
acts Of the executive department to its scrutiny
and investigation. A Democratic national adj
ministration was succeeded by Republican
administration, and the freshness of the events
gives unusual facilities for fair comparison
and Judgment. There has seldom been q time
think, when a change from the declared poll
cies of the Republican to the declared policies
Of the Democratic party involved such serious
results to the business interests of the country.
The National Bank Currency.
The Republican party, during the civil war,
devised national currency, consisting Of
United States notes issued and redeemable by
the government, and of national bank notes
based upon the security Of United States
bonds. A tax was levied upon the issues of
state banks and the intended result that all
such issues should be withdrawn, was real
lied. There are men among us now who never
saw q state bank note The notes furnished
directly or indirectly by the United States
have been the only and the safe and acceptable
paper currency of the people Bank failures
have brought no fright, delay or loss to the
bill holders. The note Of an insolvent bank is
as good and as current as q treasury note, for
the credit of the United States is behind it.
Our money is all national money! might al
most say international, for these bills are not
only equally and Unfortunately accepted at
Ras ss IN all the states 0u' In some foreign 00un'
State Currency. as 1t was.
The Democratic party, If entrusted with the
control Of the government, is now pledged to
repeal the tax on the state bank issues with q
view to putting into circulation again, under
such diverse legislation as the statos may adopt,
food Of local bank issues. Only those who,
In the years before the war, experienced the
inconvenience and losses attendant upon the
use OF such money can appreciate what a re-
turn to that system involves. The denomina
ton of bill was then often no indication of it's
value. The bank detector Of yesterday was
not o safe guide today as to credit or values.
Merchants deposited several times during the
day, lest the hour of bank closing should
show depreciation Of the money taken in the
morning. The traveller could not use in a
vent banks Of the west; and in consequence a
money changers Office was the familiar neigh
Dor Of the ticket Office and the lunch counter.
The farmer and the laborer found the money
received for the products of their labor depre-
ciated when they came to make their purchases,
and the whole business of the country was
hindered and burdened. Changes may become
necessary; but national system of currency
safe and acceptable throughout the whole coun-
try Is the good fruit of bitter experiences; and
am sure our people will not consent to the
reactionary proposal made by the Democratic
party.
The Ocean Carrying Trade.
Few subjects have elected more discussion
or excited more general interest than that of
. recovery by the United States of its appro-
pirate share Of the ocean carrying trade. This
subject touches not only our pockets but our
national pride. Practically all the freights
for transporting to Europe the enormous an
nual supplies Of provisions furnished by this
country and for the large return Of manufac-
tured goods have for many years been paid to
foreign ship owners.
Thousands Of emigrants annually seeking
homes under our flag have been denied the
sight of 1t until they entered Sandy Hook, while
Increasing thousands Of American citizens, bent
ON European travel, have each year stepped
into foreign jurisdiction at the New York
docks. The merchandise balance of trade,
which the treasury books show, is largely re-
0ucoQ Dy the anuual IrlDuJe WHICH we pay 1Or
freight and passage monies. The great ships
the fastest upon the sea-which are now in
peace profiting by our trade, are, in a second
airy sense, war-snips of their respective govern
ments and In time of war would, under existing
contracts with these governments, speedily
take on the guns for which their decks are
already prepared, and enter with terrible effic-
iency upon the work of destroying our COM
merce The undisputed fact is that the great
steamship lines of Europe were built up and
are now In part sustained by direct or indirect
government aid, the latter taking the form of
liberal pay for carrying the mails, or of an
annual bonus given in consideration of agree
ments to construct the ships so as to adapt
them for carrying an armament and to turn
them over to the government ON demand, upon
specified terms. 1t will be plain to every intel
ngent American that IL the United States would
have such lines similar policy must be en-
tered upon.
Result of the Mail Subsidy Law.
The Fifty-frst congress enacted such law;
and, under its benefcent influence, sixteen
49, -. 80