The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-11-03
HE TELLS WHY
He FavOrs Free Sflver----A
Leading Business Re-
publican Express
es His Views.
Henry A. Lanman, OF Columbus De-
clNres Openly For Democracy
and Free Silver.

clares Openly For Democracy
and Free Silver.
COLUMBUS, OHIO, October 2s.-Mr.
Henry A. Lanman, one Of the most
prominent Republican business
men in the State Capitol, who while
one of the state contractors In
limited way, runs one of the largest
manufacturing establishments of
the city, employing many hundreds
of hands, has some very decided
views on the silver question. I met
him to-day and had very interest
ing talk with him.
II understand" said +, "that you
are not in accord with your party
on the silver question"
II am not"
GAS business man will you give
your reasons for differing with your
party leaders?"
"Cheerfully, and yet it is not my
custom to talk politics, but I will
state the reasons which impel me
to depart from my usual party af-
filiations in the coming election.
1t is certainly not because of any
personal objection to the candidate
heading the ticket of my party.
On the contrary, ] know him to
possess the qualities of mind and
heart which characterize true
gentleman, with abilities which
qualify him to fill acceptably the
Office he seeks; but the awful ca
lamities which now afflict not only
our country, but the whole civiliz-
ed single standard nations, so be-
little all other issues as to sink per-
sonal considerations into insignifi-
cance."
"Speaking as an employer of la
Dor, how does the situation strike
you ?"
Gas an employer of labor, never
have been more touched by the
misfortunes of my fellow men than
last winter, when l saw, one cold
rainy morning, company of men
returning from one of our parks
having failed to obtain work at sc
cents per day. 1t was not an un.
common occurrence, but I shall
never forget that despairing look
of men Wiling, but unable, to sell
their labor for what would at best
supply only the barest necessity OF
even a small family.
"These are certainly not the natu
raj conditions of this fertile valley
of the Scioto-this land of plenty
Favored by nature with so many
resources, opportunities should not
be wanting for men to obtain al
least a decent living"
"Will you give me an outline o.
the reasons which led up to youl
present conclusions ?"
~ shall not attempt discussion
of the money question, but mention
a few facts leading up to my con
clusion, and causes which produce
these unnatural effects. The tarif
and other assigned reasons may
contribute to it, but with the best
light have been able to obtain
the chief one Compared with whicl
all others are but trifles) is the con
stant and unceasi'ag appreciation o
the money of ultimate redemption-
gold. have for years given SOM
thought and study to the demone
tization Of silver, and have suppos
ed that the time would come whel
the business of the world woul,
adjust itself to the new conditions
following out that law held by al
political economists, that the value
of all the commodities of the worl1
J is measured by all the money il
circulation. We had in round mum
, bers So, 100000 of gold and silve
in use rs s.money in 1872, $4, 100000
600 of which was stripped of 1t
money function and relegated to
commodity. The effect is the sam
as though it has all been gold, AM
one half swept out Of existence
Following out the law above quo
ted, all prices reckoncd by the gol
standard would decline one hal
their former values, or what is tn
, same, money would appreciate"
"Then the tendency is in tina
direction? ?"
"This has been nearly accom-
plished; theories have been yerI
fed by events; and were this nj
{ business would gradually resum