The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-03-16
HILL ON Bl.METALLISM.
At u Dinner in Honor OF the Birthday OF
"Old hickory" His Views on Currency
Arc ExNreSScG

Arc Expressed.
Albany, n. Y, March 1.-THE Mills
club of this city, an organization COM
posed of local Democratic speakers in
political campaigns, gave a dinner at
the Fort Orange club tonight to COM
memorate the birthday Of Andrew
Jackson. Senator Hill was the princi-
pal speaker of the evening. Most of his
speech was a panagyric upon Jackson
but in conclusion he paid his respects
to the independent or mugwump as fol-
lows:
Jacksons old-fashioned Democratic no.
tions did not contemplate the non-parsi-
san or independent In politics whose
Conscience and principles are SO elastic
that he can without improperly accept Of
flee under any administration. He had no
use in those days for neuter politician,
which is entirely a modern invention
Jackson believed in putting Democrats
upon guard everywhere.
He believed as the Democratic party
then believed and still believes, that the
government has no constitutional right to
make anything except gold and silver a
legal tender for the payment Of debts.
Nothing else can be money. There may he
paper currency, used for convenience and
coin, but that is not the money intended by
the constitution. Those Democrats who
are resisting the redemption and retire.
ment of greenbacks seem to have OBJ
tanned the idea in some way that the main-
tenance Of such currency is Democratic
policy Never was there a greater mis-
take. Greenbacks were of Republican in
vention, the outgrowth Of Republican pol
Icy, their legal quality defended by Repub-
lican judges alone and II continued at all
1t should be through Republican mainten-
ance.
If the money question is to be the issue
of the future-as some of the signs of the
times indlcate--it Is evident that the cam
paign of education along Democratic lines
should be begun at once. There ought not
to be any mistake or misconcepton in re-
gard to the true position. The Democratic
party does not believe in gold monomet-
alllsm on the one hand nor in silver on the
other, but in bi-metallism-the free bi-met-
allie coinage aside from ratio) provided
for by the coinage act Of 1872.
B!-metallism. full. complete and effect
ual cannot, however, be secured sin the
twinkling of an eye" 1t Is a business
problem and must be solved according to
business principles. Existing conditions
mus, be recognized. The treasury must
be materially strengthened, the revenues
Of the government must exceed it's ex-
pnditures, q reasonable degree Of pros
perity must prevail, provision must be
made for the funding or payment and re-
trement OF our vast volume Of greenback
currency amounting to over Ave hundred
million dollars-these are the conditions
precedent-before bi-metallism can be
safely and permanently secured. Under
existing conditions 1t would seem as If the
surest road. at least to bi-metall.sm, is
by the international route.
Gentlemen Of the Mills club, let us not
be discouraged by the present outlook
The Democratic party has passed through
darker days than these and emerged from
them stronger and more vigorous than
ever before. The president may have
made mistakes. but It Is not the party,
There have been too many factions dis
putting for supremacy, but they are not
the party The Democratic party con-
slsts of a majority of the American peo-
Pile, who believe In Democratic principles
Of government, who care little for Offices
and patronage, but desire honest admins
tration and good government everywhere.
Let us firmly adhere to these essential
principles, let us insist upon honest, COM
petent and trustworthy leadership: let us
harmonize conflicting interests, discon-
tlnue further factional disturbances, con-
tinue the campaign Of education, encour-
age the efforts Of a faithful Democratic
press, support regular nominations when-
ever fairly made and organize for future
victories which will surely await us IL we
are but true to ourselves.