Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1895-04-13
Mr.. JOHN 7. JANNEY
Has Something TO Say About
Demonstration
AND OTHER KINDRED SUBJECTS
AS Understood by the Distinguished
PopuIist Leader.
lie Editor OF the Herald

To the Editor OF the Herald.
In looking over the papers of the
present time l find that the tariff
question is an unsettled problem with
the old mossbacks in the two old po-
litical parties. Basing my conclusions
upon the fact that the veneer
able old party which has outlived its
usefulness, as see it, has late issue
as campaign work containing 246
pages in which it devotes Il lines to
the silver question, and on the entire
financial question S pages. and III
pages to the tariff question alone.
Is it any wonder that men who ac-
cept the teachings of their national
committees as infallible preaching and
teaching. iinbibe error intensified. as
believe l can practically demonstrate
by reference to the basis OF values fol-
lowing the different periods ofthe stat
utory enactnents; and in these dec
larations address my remarks as a
! farmer to farmers.
The articles that go into consump-
ton, embracing edibles. wearing
cloths, farming implements and stock
to stock the farm, and in fact every
thing necessary for consumption by
the farmer costs him through the
present tariff system (of aperfidy and
dishonor") 90 cents per year less than
what he paid under the Morrill, Tariff
and saving s2I.I2 on the Mckinley
tariff. This fact demonstrates to my
mind the point that theDemocratic par
ty is practically camping on the old
Republican tariff camping ground of
1862. repeat. calling your attention
to the fact of the difference saved to
the farmer on the line ofconsumption
as compared with his condition re-
sulting from the present values of his
production, taking the basis of an
average farmer at 1000 bushels of
wheat and present price of so cents
per bushel. and compared with the
prevailing price in 1872. when the
demonet cation of silver took place.
Wheat at that time is variously priced
at 81. IS to SI.47 per bushel. Strik-
ing difference and calling it 81 SO
per bushel. the price of the article of
wheat at the two periods makes diff
ference against the farmer of $500.
Now, as have shown under the Nc
Kinley schedule the possible differ
ence Of S2I.I2.I now propose to deduct
the same from the $500. leaving still
against the farmer SS3S.SS, as COM
pared with the price Of 1879. when
the decentralization of silver was pass
ed This. sir, as | see this question,
refutes the idea that the tariff is the
evil IN our present depressed condi-
ton of values. Go into the dry goods
store and they price goods apparently
very low to those who are the recip-
tents of fixed salaries, those whose
professional fees are not affected by
the times, those who are getting their
wealth by accumulation. Now COM
pare these with the farmer who is
compelled to sell his wheat on the
basis of present values. He is not in
it. Our tax dues are not reduced, our
interest dues are not reduced, and we
who feel these things and speak OF
them, are met with the wise lee
laration that You belong to the army
Of calamity howlers have asked
the question-askeiiin sincerity-ask-
ed it for information. What is the
true cause of the conditions surround
ing us? One man in the Democratic
party says it is the result of overpro-
duction. and we are compelled to take
what the article is worth in the mar
kets of the: world. A very wise Re-
publican says the sequel to relief is
that you must double your efforts and
produce two blades of grass where you
were producing but one. Nov the
two answers given have unfortunately
placed me in the position of not be-
ing able to see both views at one and
the same time
row take up tie silver question.
The sentiment prevails WITH some
that we should urge an international
conference. My belief is fixed
upon that point that there is
about as much chance Tor successful
adjustn ent of the matter in the inter
est of The United States as there would
be in the effort of sane man to at
tempt to climb tree backwards. II
is loss OF time and an unnece sary
expense enta led ii.son the country.
There was no international monetary
conference necessary to demonetize il
in 1872. The trip over to Europe by
the dist nguished Sherman, who oui
Republi AN friend idolize, seemed tc
have learned the wishes and interest:
of the Europeans Who desired it ac
complished and successfully had il
enacted in their interest and to oul
great detriment have been met
with the declasat son by intelligent ant
Lelieve hone st men in both parties
that the agits tion of the silver ques
ton was only in The interest Of ths
silver mine or silver bullion owners
Now for {. moment let us disrobs
this question of any sentiment o
that kind ami look at the plain fac
that silver has been used for ages a:
factor as one of the pricing instru
ments measuring the values Of tbs
productions of the industries of the
farm. the mine, and the factory. which
constitutes fi1e ff7auouIar base of al