The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1894-02-22
SILVRR YHE SLOGAN
MOntana's Governor Talks on
the Situation.
INTERVIEWED IN SAN FRANCISCO
Governor Richards Gives His Views
of the Plan of the Next Presiden-
tinl Campaign-w He says
About the All Important
silver Question Etc.

\ Governor j. E. Richards, who is al
present in San Francisco, was interviewed
by a representative of the San Francisco
Chronicle last Wednesday on the silver
question and the prospective future fol
Montana. Mr.. Richards remarks are full
of sound sense and will be read with in
terest by all Montanians. The Chroni.
Gle says: Governor John e. Richards
Of Montana is an ardent champion of sill.
yer. He believes that the white metal
will be restored to an equal place with gold
IN the coinage of the country, and that
in the next presidential struggle the
republican party will champion free
coinage. When asked last evening If he
thought legislation favorable to silver
would be enacted, Governor Rickard said
"Yes, I am confident that silver will
receive proper consideration in due time,
but I anticipate nothing from the present
congress that will be satisfactory to the
friends Of bl-metallism. While the cleo
tions Of November were popular protest
against the financial policy of the ad-
ministrat1on, they will not be SO regarded
by the president and his veto would un-
doubtedly be interposed to prevent favor
able legislation at this session of con-
gress."
"In this event where will the silver men
apply the remedy?" was asked.
"The congressional elections of 1894
will emphasize the sentiments expressed
in the last elections and indicate to a
large degree the silver strength Of the
country. AS Cleveland has committed
his party to the financial policy of
single standard, it is fair to assume that
the republican party will yield to the
PRESSURE and champion the cause of BIZ
metallism in 1896. AS the protests of the
people were voiced through the republi-
| can party last November, instead Of
through the organization of the s,popu-
lists, it is clear that the silver men look
to the republicans to redress the wrongs
inflicted by the present administration.
This appeal will be still strong in 1896,
when the baneful effects of demonetiza-
tion become more apparent, and the
| masses Of the country will have better
opportunity to express their condemna-
tion Of the single standard policy. The
logical result of all this is the champion
ing Of silver by the republican party III
1896, despite the present attitude of
some of the party leaders in the east"
"But suppose the republican party
refuses to commit itself to the silver cause
in 1896, and takes substantially the same
ground as the democratic party in the
treatment of financial questions?"
THAT is q contingency not likely to
arise. If it does, and Mr.. Cleveland is
permitted to outline the financial policy
for both parties, the strong current Of
sentiment in favor of pi-metajlism
throughout the country will probably ex-
press itself in the organization of silver
party. Should this be done, and the tight
made wholly on the right Of the people
to the joint use Of gold and silver in the
redemption OF obligations both private
and public, the bl-metallists of all parties
would unite for the campaign and, / be-
lieve, make most vigorous contest for
the right of the white metal. There will
be no occasion for an independent organ
ization, however, until the contingency
you speak Of arises, which, IN view Of all
the circumstances, does not now seem
possible"
"If silver is not rehabilitated, what will
be the effect upon Montana?"
"Unt1l readjustment Of conditions is
effected and the people can accommodate
themselves to new conditions, the paraly-
sis Of the silver mining industry will work
great hardship upon many sections of
the state. 1t means loss Of population
and a ,proportionate loss of business,
while seriously Gripping enterprises Of
great value to the state promised by the
future. The destruction of silver as
money, however, must ultimately affect
all parts of the union quite as seriously
as the mining states. Despite the prac-
tical destruction of an industry that
brought population and wealth to our
state, and the resultant ruin OF thousands
whose money was invested in silver prop
critics, Montana will in the long run be
better able to Withstand the blighting
influences OF the single standard policy
than any other state in the union. I
base this statment upon the diversified
and undeveloped resources of our state,
which muslin the natural order Of things,
invite population and the investment Of
capital,
5old mining is in its infancy there and
is undergoing remarkable stimulus.
From present Indications Montana's gold
product will astonish the world in few
years. New mines are being opened up
in all parts Of the state and eastern
capital is seeking and finding profitable
investments along this line. Our copper
supply. is inexhaustible, while lead is
found in plentiful quantities., and in a
few years our deposits Of iron will doubt
less attract the attention of capitalists.
The coal industry is rapidly growing, and
Montana must take front rank in sup
plying fuel and in the production Of
lumber. Then, too great headway is be-
ing made in the development of our agri.
cultural resources. Our arid lands are
being irrigated and made wonderfully
productive, affording homes for all who
may come within our borders. Under
such conditions Montana cannot only re-.
cover from the blow given her great sil.
yer industry, and outliYe that cruel and
radically unjust legislation, but aspire tc