The DeLamar nugget. [volume] (DeLamar, Idaho) 1891-1900, 1893-08-26

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of the wishes, the entreaties or the
threats of foreign powers.
DEFENSE OF THE SILVER MINER.
But is the silver miner, after all, so
selfish as to be worthy of censure =?
Does he ask for some new legislation or
for some innovation inaugurated in his
behalf? No. He pleads only for the
restoration Of the money Of the fathers.
H asks to have given back to him
right which he enjoyed from 1892 to
1873. During all those years he could
deposit his silver bullion at the mints
and receive full legal-tender coins at
the rate of S1.29 for each ounce of sill
yer, and during part of the time his
product could be converted into money
at even higher price. Free coinage
can only give back to him what demon
etization took away. He does not ask
for a silver dollar redeemable in a gold
dollar, but for silver dollar which re-
deems itself.
If the bullion value OF silver has not
been reduced by hostile legislation, the
free coinage of silver at the present ra-
ito can bring the mine-owner no ben
eft, except by enabling him to pay
debt, already contracted, with his ounce
of silver. If the price of his product
has been reduced by hostile legislation,
is he asking any more than we would
ask under the same circumstances in
trying to remove the oppressive hand of
the law Let me suggest, too, that
those who favor an international agree
ment are stopped from objecting to the
profits of the silver mine-owner,
because an international agreement
could only be effected at some ratio
near to ours, probably 152 to l, and this
would Just as surely inure to the benefit
of the owner of silver as would free
coinage established by the independent
action of this country. If our opponents
were correct in asserting that the price
l29 cents on ounce by international
agreement, but not by our separate ac-
ton, then international bimettalism
would bring larger profit to the mine
owner than the free coinage of this
country could. Let the international BIZ
metalists then find come better odjec-
ton to free coinage than that based
upon the mine-owDer's profit.
But what is the mine-owner's profit ?
Has any one told you the average cost
of mining an ounce of silver You-have
heard of some particular mine where
silver can be produced at a low cost, but
no one has tried to give you any reliable
data as to the average cost of produc-
ton. | had a letter from Mr.. Leech
when he was Director of the Mint, say
ing that the Government was in POS
session of no data in regard to the cost
of gold production and none of any val
ue in regard to silver. No calculation
can be made as to the profits of mining
which does not include money spent in
prospecting and in mines that have
ceased to pay, as well as those which
are pro6tably worked.
THE PRESIDENT DECEIVED.
The President has recommended un-
conditional repeal. 1t is not sufficient
to say that he is honest. So were the
mothers who with misguided zeal threw
their children into the Ganges. The
question is not is he honest? but is he
right? He won the confidence of the
toiing masses of this country because
be taught that "public Office is a public
trustu and because he convinced them
of his courage and his sincerity. But
are they willing to say, in the language
of Job. Though he slay me, yet will l
trust him ?" Whence comes this ire
sistable demand for unconditional re-
peal? Are not'the representatives here
as near the people and as apt to know
their wishes? Whence comes the de-
mand Not from the workshop and the
farm, not from the toilers of this coun-
try, who create its wealth in time of
peace and protect its flag in time of war,
but from the middlemen, from what
termed the business interests. and large
ly from those who can force Congress to
let it issue money at pecuniary profit
to itself if silver is abandoned. The
President has been deceived. He can
no more judge the wishes of the great
masses of our people by the expressions
of these men than he can measure the
oceans silent depth by the foom upon
its waves. Mr. Powderly, who spoke at
Chicago few days ago in favor of the
free coinage of silver at the present ra-
ito and against the unconditional repeal
of the Sherman law, voiced the senti-