Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1895-08-21
WILL THEY STRADDLE THE
QUESTION.

Inc question is being dis
cussed from the st. Lawrence 20 the
Gulf Of Mexico; from the Atlantic to
the Pacific. Notwithstanding the as
sertions of the goldbug press hat the
free coinage agitation is on the wane
1t IS the subject uppermost in the
minds OF the people. The most pro-
nounced gold standard papers devote
columns TO the question:, and meet
lngs are being held everywhere to
discuss it. Never before in the his
tory of the country did an economic
question receive so much attention.
The talk about tariff reform four
years ago was nothing compared to
what is said on the monetary question
this year.
In practical politics what has been
the result Of all this agitation? Four
Of the six States in which State Off
GERS and members of the Legislature
are to be elected next November have
held State conventions. In each and
all OF these conventions, namely Ken
lucky, Ohio, Iowa and Maryland, the
Republicans have declared against
free coinage, and in three of them
Kentucky, Iowa and Maryland-the
Democrats have followed the example
OF the Republicans. The Ohio Demo
cratic State convention has not vet
been held, but it is a foregone conclu-
sion that if Senator Brice controls the
convention the gold standard will be
Endorsed.
In two States-IllinOis and Missouri
in which elections will not be held
for State officers this fall, the Demo-
Gratis held conventions and unani-
mously and emphatically declared for
free coinage and committed the party
to that policy. In addition to this the
Republicans held a national conven-
ton Of clubs at Cleveland and ignored
the silver question altogether. and the
Democrats held a national convention
at Washington and adopted resolu.
tions strongly in favor of the free
coinage of gold and silver.
These State and National conven-
tons comprise about all the gather
ings Of the old parties distinctively
that have been held this year. In
Kentucky, Iowa and Maryland there
is NJ difference between the Demo-
cratic and Republican planks on the
great issue. Both declare their allie
glance to the gold trust. Though the
Republicans denounce Cleveland's adj
min~istratiOn, while the Democrats
commend it, both agree on what is
conceded to be the paramount, the all
absorbing issue of the day In Ken
lucky the Democrats have a free coin
age candidate for Governor on a gold.
standard platform, and the Republi-
cans, who have the advantage Of be-
ing consistent, have a gold standard
candidate for Governor on a gold
platform. Senator Blackburn, who is
a pronounced silver man, is making
an independent fight for the Legisla-
ture. He is opposed by the Admins
tration Democrats and by the Repub-
licans, and according t reports has
at least a fighting chance to defeat
both.
Now we have two parties claiming
to be distinctive in the States of Ken
lucky, Iowa and Maryland which do
not differ On a question in which the
people are taking the greatest inter-
est. If the Democrats succeed in Ken
lucky and Maryland, and the Repub-
licans carry Iowa, as they probably
will, what will be the effect on the ma
tional conventions next year? Will
not both parties declare for the gold
standard, or straddle the financial
question SO that the monetary plank
can be interpreted one way by the
leaders in the East and another way
by the leaders in the West? The pur-
pose Of the gold trust is to keep the
people who favor the restoration of
silver divided under different party
names, so that the interests of the
trust will be protected which ever is in
the ascendancy. With d President
opposed to free silver, and men like
German, Reed and Harter,
who differ only on party names, in the
Senate and House. the gold trust will
have its deadly grip fastened so firmly
on the country that it is doubtful if
the people ever a release it.-JOur-
nal.
Water will have ceased to run and