Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-08-11
FROM WASHINGTON.
CORRESPONDENCE of the Alexandria Gazette
WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. II.


Representative Swanson of Virginia,
being asked if he had any objection 10
stating hisviews upon the financial ques-
ton. said that he did not; that he had no
concealments to make and thought the
public was entitled to know his views
and convictions. He said that the con-
yention which nominated him at Mar
tinsville instructed him for the free
and unlimited coinage of silver; that
he pledged the people if elected he
would vote for the free and unlimited
coinage of silver; that he considered
these instructions and pledges binding
upon him: that he thought pledges and
marty platforms should control Repre-
sentatives when made (; that he thinks
the democratic party should execute
and enact into law the provisions OF the
Chicago platform. He said upon the
silver question the Chicago platform
makes three declarations: First, the
repeal of the Sherman law second, the
free and unlimited coinage of both gold
and silver without discrimination, and
third, its coinage at such ratio as the
parity of the gold and silver money
coined could be maintained. That he
thought each one of these three provi-
sions equally binding upon the party !;
that those whose advocate free coinage
at ratio where the parity OF the two
metals could not be maintained were
wrong as were those who favored put
ting us entirely on gold basis: That
he recognized for free and unlimited
coinage of silver to be success, that the
bullion value ofthe dollar must be equal
to its mint value. That there Is no
question but that there is some ratio
where the United States can afford to
have free coinage and maintain the par
itv that it is our duty to determine
this and have free coinage. The popu-
lists believe that this parity could be
maintained at the ratio of l6 to l, and
others have gone as far as % 10 l.
There can be no question but that
there is a ratio where perfect safety ex-
lists and it is our duty to determine this
and carry out our promises. would
favor compromise in which | would
weld some on the ratio that | favor.
The enactment of such law believe
would give immediate relief, restore
confidence and produce safe and stable
expansion of the currency. There
would be no preference for gold dollars
when the silver dollars were worth
equally as much intrinsically. The
country needs and must have an cX-
pansion of the currency; none could be
L. . thi- thn ,noJnn = the
one most interested in the ratio. The
people are interested in silver as q
means Of expanding the currency and
supplying safe one, more than its val
uc per ounce. 1t is difficult TO get some
to see the difference of interest be-
tween the mine owner, who has silver
TO sell, and the people who use and &C
cept silver as money. He said he
would vote for free coinage at such
ratio as could maintain the parity.
That he was fully conscious of the evils
existing and dangers threatened from
the present Sherman law. That
he felt assured these would be
eliminated by the enactment of sub.
sti,ute as indicated Being questioned
as to his views upon the repeal of the
ten per cent. tax on State banks, he
stated he heartily favored this, and
thought it would bring us as much re-
lief as anything that could be devised ;
that without diminishing in the least
our national currency, it would give us
an abundant and safe local currency to
do our local business. 1t would enable
each community in times like these to
utilize its resources to relieve the
ssringency. This currency Gun be and
should be made as safe as any. The peo-
pie of the State who should devise a
bad system would be the sufferers
thereby. The federal government
should certainly remove the prohibito
ry tax and let the people of the several
States issue such currency if they de-
sire. This is democratic and one of the
rights of the States. That such currcn-
cy is possible and will give great and
immediate relief is fully demonstrated
by the issuance of clearing house GER
tilicates by the banks of New York,
which prevented panic there. These
are nothing more than State bank is
sues. The removal of this tax is in the
platform and should be carried out.
The removal does not necessarily
create State bank issues. 1t leaves the
question with the people of the States.
The proper place for democrats who
oppose State bank issues to fight is in
the legislatures of the several States
where the question arises, and not in
Congress. fla majority of the people
of Virginia desire such issue they
should be privileged to have it without
federal interference.
The total number of fourth-class post
masters appointed to-day was IS, OF
whom 81 will fill the places of removed
republicans. The changes in Virgiania
were as follows: Colburn, Wise county,
w. A Carico, appointed postmaster,
vice George Anderson, removed; Nor
ton, Wise county, 0. B. Gilley, vice W..
NJ Adams, removed; Warm Springs,
Bath county, R. T. Payne, vice Mary
I. Eubank, removed.
1t has already been developed that
in the House, as in the Senate, the re-
publicans, Notwithstanding their pro-
posed support of the Presidents policy
in respect of the repeal of the silver
bill, will do all they can to handicap
and delay its adoption. That fact was
made patent in the Senate several days
ago, and was again made patent to-day
in the House. Mr.. PETER, the populist,
s,,nnnrta6 them in the Senafe and Mr.