The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-10-06
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY.
A Bomb Exploded in the Camp of
the Conspirators.

in the Philadelphia Press. Sept. 28th,
signed by 1873 of the business men and
manufacturers of Philadelphia, with
other names to be attached before lay
ing it before the Senate:
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. Is, 1898.
To the Senators of the United States
Gentlemen The American people
have not experienced siuce 1857 such
a prostration OF industrial, agricultural
and transportation enterprises as that
which has existed during the present
year. Many have been brought to ruin,
and all have suffered loss except the
small cliques of capitalists whose inter-
ests are promoted by dear money and
scant supply Of money.
These cliques, who seek to control
the financial, industrial and transporta--
ton business of the country by mo-
nopolizing combinations and various
methods of dishonest over capitaliza-
ton, and by over charges for services
rendered, now assail the Nationa! integ.
rity at two points, through its indus
tries and its money. Controlling many
of the transportation lines, banks, trust
companies, and even savings banks, and
not few of the public journals, they
now make this assault upon the tariff
system, and upon the money of the
country. They propose to march
toward free trade, and to abandon the
National policy maintained SO long,
under which we have had protection
against foreign cheap labor.
They propose to force such changes
in the rates OF tariff duties as will close
many mills and factories, PROSTATE
large agricultural and pastoral indus
tries, and reduce we'll paid and indie
pendent American labor to the level
of underpaid European labor-to in
crease the revenues of the country by
increased importations and thus to
further impoverish the country by send
ing out Of it large masses of gold to pay
for manufactures invited here through
reductions in the rates Of duties.
They propose to appreciate the value
of the gold dollar by the demonetiza-
ton of silver; in this way they will
increase the burdens of the debtor
classes, and increase also the price paid
for all manufactures and raw. materials
bought in foreign countries.
Unless Americans are ready to aban-
don an independent position among
nations, and to accept position of
dependence upon England and Ger
many, the two great creditor nations of
the world, whose capitalists stand be-
hind and support the present attack
upon US, they must refuse to surrender
the protective system and refuse as we'll
to accept gold monometallism. They
must maintain an intelligent, broad and
scientific application of the protective
principle to the customs revenue sys-
tenn of the country. They must de-
nounce and suppress those domestic
"trusts'' and combinations which are
designed and created to control and
check domestic production, and to pre-
vent domestic competion-destroying
thus at home the very benefit which
protection along the frontier line is
intended to secure. Protection is a
national question. not class question;
protective duties are not imposed for
the aid of manufacturers, but for the
public advantage of diversified indus
tries, the industrial independence of
the nation and the maintenance of COM
fort and intelligence amongst the mass
Of the people.
The United States must continue to
use gold and oliver as money at an
agreed ratio, and must maintain their
parity. To abandon silver would be to
enslave its people to the money lenders
of the European capitalist nations.
Under these circumstances, the peo-
pie appeal 10 you, gentlemen, so to
legislate as to preserve the protective
character of the tariff, and the integ-
rity of silver as a money metal.
AS to the former, your assurance Of
the maintenance of existing customs
duties will restore confidence, re.estab =
lish industrial activity, re-employ the
hosts of idle workpeope, and preserve
the home market for home products.
The country, at this tremendous crisis,
needs to have its industrial system con-
served and not assailed.
AS to silver, propose to you these
practical measures:
l. That the United States shall admit
silver bullion from American mines to
coinage in its minis upon the payment
h., kba ounar If n coiuniornoa ahsorh