The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-05-18
Autobiography Drug Store,
Mr.. Cooper, the Washins ton Post and
Silver.


The Washington Post of April 27th
contained the following about Con-
gresham Cooper, of Florida, in its
column of "Chit Chats"
On November y 1894 Representative Cooper. Of
Florida. was elected to Congress from the second
district upon platform which declared for the
free coinage Of silver.
On August nth, 1885, Representative Cooper. of
Florida, shoke in favor Of the repeal of the silver
purchasing clause Of the sherman law.
On August as 1898, Representative Cooper, of
Florida, voted against the free coinage of silver
aud in favor Of the repeal Of the sherman law
On September ~, 1898, the President sent to
the Senate the nomination Of Joseph F. Baya to
be consul at Baracoa, Cuba. Mr.. Baya is the nm
Gle Of Representative Cooper.
ON October 20, 1898, Mr.. Baya was confirmed by
the Senate.
on April z6, 1885, Representative Cooper, of
Florida, introduced bill for the free coinage of
silver dollars on parity with gold.
Within few weeks democratic convention
viii be held in the second district Of Florida and
free coinage platform will again be adopted
Representative Cooper, of Florida, wants to be
fenominated.
These are few chapters in history.
To which Mr.. Cooper made the fol-
lowing reply;
To the Editor Of the Post.
In the column Of Capitol Chat in the Post If
April ~ there are certain statements put in a
WY calculated TO convey a false impression and
10 do me an injustice. have no idea that the
Post desires TO do either. and presume that the
tfaas.s
mine; but however that may be, l ask that you
DO me the justice of inserting this reply, in
which win deal with the statements of the arti-
Gle in the order in which they are made
.. was elected on platform, made by the
convention which nominated me, which Endorsed
the national democratic platform made at chica-
go, the declaration Of which platform, concern
ing silver and all other matters. I have stead
lastly adhered to, aud to the best of my ability
endeavored TO carry into execution.
?. Ispoke and voted for the repeal of the pur-
chasing clause Of the sherman act because the
democratic platform and the welfare Of the
country demanded il. voted against delay and
against the free coinage Of silver dollars of short
weight and of about half the intrinsic value Of
gold dollars, because such measures would have
been uinous TO Florida and to the country
foresaw and stated that delay meant a lower
price for every box of oranges and every pound
Of cotton in Florida, and a diminution of our
great tourist trade, which predictions were un-
fortunately verified in consequence of the long
delay of the senate in acting the bill; yet the
hnal passage of the bill ended the panic and
prevented stiil more loss and injury, and every
farmer and business man in Florida is better off
for my speech aud vote, and have every reason
TO believe that great majority Of my constitu-
ents approve of them
3. AS to the implied insinuation that the ap-
pointment Of Mr.. j. +. Baya as consul to Baracoa
hsd some influence ON my course-it whuld re-
quire no notice among those who know me, but
il 80 hapdens that never asked for the appoint
ment Of Mr.. Baya consul TO Baraooa and he
declined to accept the place. did with Senator
Pasco, recommend him for an Office which he did
not get, so the baselessness of the intimation
that was influenced by his appointment to of
fee is manifest.
4. AS the matter Of free coinage of silver may
come before the House again at an early day, I
have introduced bill for the free coinage of sill
yer at its intrinsic value OF commercial ratio to
gold and by fxinga day in the future for the
bill TO take effect believe that il would raise
the value Of silver and bring it much nearer to
gold before the ratio for coinage hereafter would
be fixed, though il probably would not
bring il to the old ratio of sixteen to one. The
bill was intended to put before the House prop
ositiou for free coinage of silver at its intrinsic
value, in accordance with the democratic plat
form, which we have been given no opportunity
40 vote upon heretofore, certain gentlemen hav-
ing limited us TO voting for short weight dollar
or nothing.
II is intended to conform to the democratic
intrinsic value to gold dollar, instead of the
popuist platform, which calls for free coinage of
silver dollars at sixteen to one, though such
so-cailed dollar should be worth only so cents.
Very respectfully,
c. NJ. COOPER