Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-08-05

ducss it from money metal to a
commercial commodity, nevertheless
't repeal without the restoration of
free coinage would stop the expansion
OF our currency required by our
growth in population and business,
widen still farther the distance be.
tween the two precious metals, thus
making return to bimetallism more
difficult, greatly increase the pur.
chasing power Of gold; still further
break down the price OF the products
OF the farmer, laborer, mechanic ana
tradesman, and plunge still further
all commerce, business and industry
into such depths of wretchedness as
to endanger peace. preservation of
our free institutions and the very
maintenance of civilization.
A SOLEMN PROTEST.,
"We, therefore, in the name of the
Republic and humanity, protest
against the repeal of said act of July
IA, 1890, except by an. act restoring
free bimetallc coinage, as it existed
prior to 1873. We suggest that the
maintenance of bimetallsm by the
United States at ratio of 16 to l
will increase our commerce with all
the silver>using countries of the
world, comprising two-thirds of the
world, without decreasing our CONS
merce with the nations which buy
our raw material, and will sooner
compel the adoption of bimetallism
by the nations of Europe than any
other means.
1--WE assert that the unparalleled d
calami,ies which now atflct the
American people are not due to the
so-called Sherman act of 1890; and in
proof thereof call attention to the fact
that the same evil conditions now pre-
vail over all the gold-standard world.
We are convinced that, bad as is the
state of affairs in this country, it
would have been still worse but for
the Sherman law, by which the nation
has obtained to some extent an ex-
panding circulation to meet the de-
mands OF a continent in the process of
colonization. and the business exi-
gencies of the most energetic and
industrious race that ever dwelt on
earth; and we insist upon the cxecu-
ton of the law without evasion, SO
long as 1t Is upon tie statute books
and upon the purchase of the full
amount Of silver each month that is
provided for, to the end that the
monthly addition to the circulating
medium that the law secures shall be
maintained.
DIsTRUsT OF THE BANKS.
"Tbat we would call the attention
of the people to the fact that, in the
midst of all the troubles of the time
the value of national bonds and ma.
tlonal legal tender money, whether
made of gold, silver or paper, has not
fallen particle. The distrust is moi
of the Government or its mcney, bu>
of the banks, which have, as we be,
lieve, precipitatod the present panic
on the country in an illadvised effort
to control the action of Congress or
the silver question and the issue o
bonds. We invite the bankers to
attend to their legitimate business
and permit the res. of the people tc
have their full share in the control O
the. Government. In this way the5
will much sooner restore that conf
dence which is so necessary to th,
people. 1t must not be forgot,e,
that the boards Of trade, chant bers O
commerce or money dealers are wor
. thy and valuable men in their place
hnt the Renuhlic can more safel
repose upon the great mass of it
peaceful toiers and producers, AM
this business ''manage" is rapidly ex
terminating the business men of thi
country. The time has come whel
the politics of the Nation should re
vert, as far as pussible, to the simple
A n ES.N zEa b CA