Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-09-22
SILVER COMMERCIALLY CONSID-
FRED

other western states-particularly in
North Dakota and Montana where he
has Observation-Disclosures a new theory in
favor of silver, or rather applies a new
reason why silver should not be stricken
down; why the financial legislation
should be such as will maintain and con-
tinue the silver industry. He considers
the question from a commercial stand
point; shows that silver, with the excep.
ton OF about ! per cent. is produced
principally in what is known as the arid
region area extending from the west
ern parts OF the Dakotas, Nebraska,
Kansas and Texas at the east to the
coast range and Sierra Nevada range on
the Pacific slope-the dimensions of this
area beng about 1900 miles from north
to south and 1900 from east to west. Its
chief mineral products are gold, silver,
copper and lead-almost all of which is
exported to states outside of that region.
Mr.. Nimmo then goes on to show
that
The agriculture of the arid region. in so
far as relates to the culture of the soil, is
dependent entirely, upon irrigation. But
large expenditures. The arid region is,
however, a vast and exceedingly produce
tive pastoral region, yielding an enormous
annual exportable product of horses, cattle,
sheep and wool. In consequence of the
large ~preponderance of the mining and
nosf0ro1 SrforoStS ~ <k:, ,,-,< go ----
those of agriculture. every state and terri
tory of the arid region is a large importer
OF grain, hay. lumber, vegetables, p1ovis-
ions n breadstuffS. Machinery and GEN
eral merchandise are also imported ain
large quantities from other parts of the
country. The total annual value Of such
IMPORTS is about $500 600, OOO.
The total value of the annual exports of
the arid region amounts to about S24O,OOO,-
600, Of Which silver stands at the head.
amounting to about $751; 0 1000.
But silver mining sustains to the COM
merce and productive industries of the arid
region relations far transcending its arith-
metlcal proportion Of the value Of the total
surplus products of that region. Silver is
the primary source of the commerce, agri-
culture and industrial prosperity OF that
vast area. Strike it down and you paralyZe
the business interests Of that whole area.
The total value of the nj of the
Nv tesiou WIN lilc otIer states OF the
country, including imports, S20O,00 600,
and exports. $4,000. QUO, amounts to the
enormous sum OF about S44O.OOO 900 an
nually. This exceeds by SlOO,OOO.OOO the
total value of the combined commerce of
the United States with Mexico, Central
America, South America, and the West
India Islands. This commerce centers at
s.. Paul. Milwaukee. Chicago, St. Louis.
Boston, New York, Philadelphia and many
other points at the east.
Stop for a moment and consider tine
enormous import of these facts. For
several years the country has been deeply
concerned about reciprocity with the coun-
the West Indies, and about the project of
an inter-cOntinental railroad to connect
those southern countries with the United
States. But here is a vast region in the
very heart of our 0wn country which
sustains a much larger commercial re-
lation to the rest, and which is bound to
US by the most Intimate relations of trans
povtatiOn facillties-siX trans continental
railroads. with numerous branches ex-
tending into every part OF q region peOpled
by fellow.countrymen, who are alive to
every common impulse of our splendid
civilization.
Besides the present development of the
resources of that area is small in compari
sou with its evident possibilities. The
mighty empires of Ninevah and Babylonia
were reared under just such conditions as
prevail in this vast Rocky mountain region
an arid region in which agriculture is
carried on by means of artificial irrigation.
The same conditions characterize India to-
day with its population of 2~50,OOO,OOO.
1t is not my purpose at the present time
to enter upon the discussion OF the silver
question, but l do want to say a word in
favor OF a great and promising branch Of
our internal commerce, and in favor of the
onnV0 Mt fhn n 80
territories II of the Pacific slope, who
during the past thirty years, by their own
strong arms, brave hearts and indomitable
enterprise, nave rescued a vast territory
from hostile Indian tribes, overcome what
appeared to be insuperable natural OBJ.
%stacles, and subdued to the arts of civiliza.
ion an area which constitutes about two.
hfths of the entire territory Of the United
States exclusive of Alaska.
Three times l have in person investigated
the resources Of this vast region, and l feel
an intense interest in its prosperity.
This is one of the most rational and
convincing arguments thus far set forth
in favor of silver, but unfortunately Mr..
Nimmo's premises are wrong. There is
10 desire to "strike silver down." The
friends of bimetallism, and the silve,
extremists simply do not agree as tc
what kind of legislation will, in the long
run, be most beneficial to the country
at large and the silver states in particu.
lar. Ardent free silver advocates are
blind to their own interests. Free
coinage would give the silver producing
states mere temporary prosperity and
relief, and silver recommendation would
degrade the whole country. Bimetallism
is the goal to be sought by conserva.
tive advocates of sound finance and the
permanent use of silver with the least
huctuation in purchasing power of the
white metal. But b%imetallism cannot be
had until agreed upon by the civilized
nations Of Europe. The way to force
Europe to agree upon an in~ternationa,
system is for the United States to bu,
gold. Go into the markets of the worlG
and buy the yellow metal. When the
United States does this-when we irdi
cate a determination to have our share
of gold-the other nations will soor