The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1895-07-17
TONNES CHALLENGE.
HE MEANS BUSINESS NOW.
He Challenges the Pioneer Press
and Minneapolis Tribune.

and Minneapolis Tribune.
We do not remember that we ever
met Hon. Charles Towne, the Com
gresham from the Duluth District;
and we must admit that when we
heard of his election last fall we re-
garded him as one of the little, incon-
seQuential, Republican whippersnap-
pers, humbugging audiences by ap.
peals to old party prejudices-a very
common product Of these latter, de-
generate days. But we begin to
change our mind about him. He
seems to think for himself and to
have the courage Of his convictions.
In the face Of the daily press of the
state, owned and controlled by Plutoc-
racy, he has dared to declare himself
In favor Of the free coinage of silver;
and when jumped upon by the vocifer-
Gus hoboes of the money-power in
stead Of running away and hiding
himself. as is the fashion with most
of the Republican leaders, under such
circumstances, he threatened to call
free-silver, Republican convention.
The indignation and wrath of Plutoc-
racy has been simply illimitable!
What! This youngling of the unsalt-
ed seas, dare to have an opinion Of his
own! Horrible! Down with him!
Smash him!
But he isn't to be smashed; and now
ho o1, f0 hn
Press and the Minneapolis Tribune to
select some orator to meet him to dis
cuss the following propositions.
First-That the single gold stand
ard is, and has been since its adoption
by the principal commercial nations,
an approaching standard, whose unit
has rapidly increased In general pur-
chasing power, and must, If undis-
turbed, continue so to increase; that
this appreciation is evidenced by a
progressive fall Of prices throughout
the gold-standard world not account
tion; that its inevitable result is to
argument the burden of all debts, to
discourage investment and enterprise,
and to undermine the productive
forces OF the country.
SecOnd-That the magnitude and
seriousness of this evil are such as
ultimately to menace the prosperity,
peace and permanency of the republic.
Third-That the great decline In
the market price of silver bullion
since 1873 has been mainly if not
wholly caused by legislation limiting
the money functions Of that metal.
Fourth-That Notwithstanding 9TH
er possible and needed reforms in the
fiscal and currency systems of the
United States, no enduring social hap
piness and national progress can be
ours until both gold and silver are
treated>alike in our monetary system,
and the two metals form together the
one standard money Of ultimate re
demption.
Mr.. Towne says, to these editors.
"You are to select some disputant to
maintain in public debate the mega
tive of these propositions, and l will
endeavor to support the affirmative;
the discussion to take place in St.
Paul or Minneapolis, under the aust
pices of a committee to be mutually
agreed upon, and verbatim report
thereof to be published in your jour
| nal. If desired, series of such dis
cussiOns might be arranged, to occur
| in several Of the principal cities of
| the state, you to be at liberty to make
use of the services Of series of de-
| baters on successive evenings, if for
| any reason you so desired. Inasmuch
as have many engagements that will
keep me busy during the next few
weeks, and as cooler evenings than
those now at command would better
suit such purpose, and in order also
to allow your representative ample
time to get ready, l name Sept. 20, or
Whereabouts, as the date OF the first
discussion.
Really, this is one of the most hope
full signs Of the era. We begin to
think it is possible for Republican
off1ce-holder not to be servile tool Of
the corporations.
But Plutocracy must own them OF
they must get out. We expect to see
Charles A. Towne, John Lind, Bob
Dunn. Mr.. Hawthorne, Mr.. Lamphere,
Governor Day and host Of others
kicked bodily out of the Republican
party. Well, gentlemen, our doors are
always open; and you will be welcome
to the house which Rothschild does not
own and where courage and honesty
are held in the highest respect.
In this connection the following
from the St. Paul Globe Of July ID,
will prove interesting reading:
Congressman Towne has now developed
a new ambition, and, If all goes according
to his expectations, he will soon be trav-
cling in the footsteps Of the illustrious
Mr. Coin. Towne has been about the
Twin Cities for couple of days, but has
been very careful to remain under cover.
Although he was in Minneapolis for sew
eral days he gave the enterprising scribes
of that burg the slip. In fact the press
of the Mill City was so much asleep that
it never caught on that star gathering
was taking place in that city.
AS a matter of fact Congressman
Towne, who is at the head OF the free
silver wing of the Minnesota Republicans,
was Joined in Minneapolis by Lieut. Gov.
Day and others of the same political faith
and like opinions. Several quiet confer
ences were held, at which the situation
was carefully discussed, as exclusively
stated in yesterdays Globe. At these
conferences it was finally decided not to
call a silver convention this year. But
clubs are to be organized which are to