The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-08-18
THE MONEY QUESTION
Declared to Be the Supreme Issue
Before the Country.
Standard OF Gold and Silver Neces-
Sary 20 Restore Prosperity, Say Bi-
Metallists. ~


WASHINGTON, Aug is.--The policy TO i,c
pursued on advancing the principles of BIZ
snetallism was outlined at yesterdays ses-
kion OF the American Bi-Metallic league
conference. The following declaration
was adopted:
"A year has passed since congress was
called together In extra session TO repeal
the silver purchase law and complete the
establishment of the single gold standard.
After memorable struggle this deed was
accomplished on Nov. l last. The results OF
this policy are before the country.
Every prediction and every promise
made by the advocates of the gold stand
ard that prosperity would Immediately
follow the repeal OF the so-called Sherman
law have utterly failed. Things have
gone from bad TO worse, without cessation,
from the day the act was repealed. Gold
has steadily increased IN value, increasing
the money standard by not less than 10 per
cent in a single year, and prices have fallen
in q corresponding degree
mo such change in the value Of tho
money standard took place before in so
short period in the history of the world.
Industries arc now everywhere paralyzed;
the employment of labor is unsteady and
precarious; business enterprise is imper-
tlled, and
Debtors Made bankrupt.
"The great agricultural classes are
brought TO the verge OF ruin, nor Is there
any hope Of relief SO long as this policy is
pursued. We must throw Off the yoke of
the single gold standard and restore to
the country the constitutional standard of
gold and silver, or hopelessly suffer on.
The money question, therefore, is the su-
preme issue before the country
"The only way out of the grave situation
Is to restore the bi-mctallic standard Of
money, and until this is done there can
be no return of prosperity to the country.
At bottom. the silver question is one OF
ethics, of right against wrong, of Justice
against injustice, and will not down.
Therefore, this conference, believing
the time has come for action, recommends
that the silver question, in all congress
eional elections and in all state elections
where members of state legislatures are to
be elected who will elect United States
senators, be made paramount, and that
all other questions DO subordinatod to
this.
"This conference urges upon voters
everywhere, without regard TO party afiilia-
tions, to vote only for free coinage candi-
dates TO represent them in congress who
viii pledge themselves, as heretofore re-
commended by the league, to subordinate
everything else to this overshadowing
issue; trust no candidate for the Fifty
fourth congress who has been unfaithful in
the Fifty-third
"The conference further recommends
that the mining and agricultural states
combine TO make the
Silver Question the Supreme Issue
In all elections, agree to stand together
and to send no representatives to the
house or to the senate who cannot be re-
lied on to subordinate every party con-
sideration to the cause of bi-metallism; to
send none but free coinage delegates to
national conventions, and to vote for no
presidential candidate who would veto a
free coinage bill
ITO this end the conference recon-
mends that a convention be held at some
central point in both the mining and agri-
~ultural states to perfect such organixa-
lion as will secure this result and prevent |
the will of the people from being thwarted, |
~ in 1892, by the manipulation Of party |
machinery. Be not misled by doubtful |
professions or by delusive phrases in plat |
forms.
Accept nothing but the immediate re- |
storation Of free and unrestricted coinage, |
16 TO l, without asking leave Of or waiting |
ON any other country"
1t was decided to appoint q committee |
Of Ave to arrange for the conventions and |
provide ways and means to carry out the |
plan recommended.