Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-09-08


mass meeting OF Democrats was held in
this city this evening. The principal
features were the speeches Of Speaker
Crisp reviewing the work Of Congress
and OF Secretary Hoks Smith against
the free coinage Of silver. Speaker
Crisp declared his personal preference
for the free coinage Of silver. Much
enthusiasm was displayed. Speaker
Crisp said in part;
When the Fifty-thIrd Congress met
in August OF last year II was confronted
with difficulties which seemed almost
insurmORplaFis.
For u Hdsplorable condition the Re-
publican party was responsible. The
Speaker made an exhaustive review Of
the WOrX Of the Congress and In
conclusion recaDitulatsd: Coming into
power at time Of panic, when our
treasury was empty with courage and
6deiity. we entered upon struggle
with the enemies Of the people; wa
emerged from that struggle victorious.
We have repealed the Mckinley law.
We have greatly reduced taxation.
We have made living cheaper.
We have made all money taxable.
We have taxed surplus incomes.
We have restored freedom Of elec-
tions.
We have reduced public expenditures.
We have declared undying hostility 10
PHI trusts and mOnopolies organized for
be oppression Of the people,
On these foundations We build our
house," on these issues We so before the
Rple. For them we have fought the
ID dght;" 20 them we have kept the
h and Of them we have DO fear.
ecretary Smith, ia opening his
tech, reviewed the financial troubles
the past sixteen months and con-
atulated the South, as we'll as
eOfgia, upon the excellent showing
nade, but il was OF the utmost import
ance that in the coming election the
people should show that the wild theo-
ries OF the Populists had no foothOld
among them.
Secretary Smith then reviewed the
history OF silver coinage both in the
United States and in Europe, showing
that the Latin Union, composed OF
France. Belgium, Italy and Switzer-
land, all earnest supporters OF bi-metal-
lism, were compelled 20 stop the unIim-
tied coinage. - eilyer. owing TO Ger
mRny&g-G tizatiOn Of the metal.
- ne further produced facts aud
4 figures 20 prove that the
people Of The United States have the
use Of seventy times as much silver, rs
money Of legal tender at present, as
they bad before 1872, and that the de-
probation 10 the value Of silver is due
10 other causes than its treatment ia
the United States. Secretary Smith
continued: The fear that the Govern
ment Of the United States would not be
able 20 maintain It's various moneys
upon a parity; that we were upon the
point Of being forced 20 the silver
standard, materially contributed to the
panic Of last year"
For the condition OF the treasury
which led Ia part TO this fear, the Re-
publican administration was response
bic. The whole administration Of Mr..
4 Harrison, With the exception of the 6rSt
year (which received its impetus from
the excellent financial conditions
existing al the close OF Mr.
Cleyeland'S tsrml, was one OF
falling revenues, increased eXDendi-
lures and a heavy expectation OF gold.
During the Republican administration
expenditures Increased az the rate Of
500, coo, 600 a year, while the revenues
decreased more than $4,000, 600 an
nually. Mr.. Cleveland retired leaving
surplus Ia the treasury Of $3.50 34S, OOO
Four years OF Republican mis-
~srule reduced the surplus 10 SG2,-
4SO GOO with charges Fixed for
the ensuing year amounting ia
round numbers 20 sos, ,OOO 600
IN excess Of the revenues. The cOndi-
tion OF che treasury occ2sjoued alarm
lest the government could not maintain
At par the enormous burden OF S42O, OOO,-
O0O OF silver dollars intrinsicaIlY worth
about 65 cents on the dollar aud $780,
900. 900 OF Sherman notes predicated on
silver of the same character.
The repeal OF the purchasing clause
OF the Sherman act stopped the panic,
aud where money could not be had az
any price 10 the summer OF 1898, 10 can
now be readily obtained at lower rates
Of interest.
Mr.. Smith closed his speech with an
appeal 90 the voters OF the State, 20 re-
maln true 20 the Democratic principle
OF soSCd money, inaugurated 0y jeff
erson. supported by Jackson and pre-
served by Cleveland.