Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-07-13
SILVER s SLUMP.
Ollie Blandin Writes from Aspen
Colorado, as TO Its Effect.

To the Editor OF The REFLECTION
ASPEN, Colo, July 5.-As the pres
ent stringency in the money market,
the depressed state Of trade and the
silver issue, which latter is the bread
Of life to Colorado, are chief topics OF
the day, l will divulge few rigid
facts regarding the situation here.
The press contains many contradic'
tory statements. Some have endeav-
ored 10 conceal the true facts concern
ing the effect Of the recent decline In
the price Of silver bullion.
In reply to an inquiry from Wall
street regarding the feeling in Colorado
and the mining outlook, Hon. Il. Is.
| Holden, Of the Holden Smelling aud
Milling company, Of this place, says
"Inside Of, sixty days 100, 900 men will
be out of employment. Five hundred
Thousand people will be entering the
verge Of starvation. We will repudiate
all our bonds and obligations due In
the east. as we have no money to even
pay the interest. II will bring about
a new declaration Of Independence and
the establishment Of Western em-
pire."
This would seem to be rather strong
language to use In this instance; how
ever, most Of II has been approved by
many Of the best citizens, and well II
may be, II the price Of silver bullion is
not soon restored.
Business Is almost suspended In all
the silver mining camps. Retail
houses are being closed on account OF
inability to meet obligations. 1t has
been estimated that orders for 81 ,0OO,'
900 worth Of goods of all kinds have
been cancelled by wire within the past
few days at this place alone. All who
can get away and have place TO 60
are deserving the beautiful little camp
and II mine owners are not able t.
resume operations within short time
all the mining camps of Colorado viii
be vacated and grass will be growing
in the streets Of the once prosperous
cities. The present Inhabitants of Thu
State will decamp, TO be superseded by
few cattle rangers,
Money seems very scarce, aud all are
very respondent over the situation
The news Of President Cleveland's pro
clamatiOn, calling an extra session O
congress August 9TH, was gladly re-
ceived An opinion is prevalent tba
the extra session, should II repeal TIN
Sherman law, will substitute 1t b.
either free coinage, or "a compromise
which will satisfy the free silver nd
herants. On this alone they base thei
hope for the future welfare of III,
State-this measure lost, and all Il
lost, and the thousands Of miners VIII,
who live from hand to mouth are to b,
pitied. IA the verge of starvation vii
have been reached, the majority o
miners being incompetent for an.
other capacity Of labor.
The scene at the time silver reache,
the lowest point was that of panic
Silver, silver, silver YVES heard on ever
hand. There are two possible future
for Colorado: one Is the result If FIRE
silver, which means prosperity to ric
and poor alike; tie other means deprC
citation aud desertOn Of millions q
dollars worth Of property, the loss bC
ing sustained mainly by the lRbolin
class that can III afford 1t. Thousand
of men will be thrown out of employ
ment. 1t Is to be hoped that such
= dilemma will he forestalled. ere
stamps destruction upon thousands {
| homes.
L is sincerely hoped that the silyc
states will not have to be depopulatet
! and retrograde from their preset
A stand that the beautiful camps Wi
continue to flourish, and furnish o.
cupation for the needy the roa
!, ing Of the dashing streams will COZ
tinue to be heard by the thousands WI
have invested their wages for years /
comfortable homes, within the souu
: of their never-ceasing roar which vigo
ously protests against being forsake
: Offering strong arm as moti'
power, unlimited quantity to irriga
Q all tillable lands and cool and refres
h ing liquid TO the parched lips.
These lind to be the sentiments
n the citizens in this place.