The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-07-15
some Political History.

remarkable contribution 10 current polit
icII history.
The IcsJer was written on the 18th Of
September. IS.i0. by Hon. Hoke Smith.
now secretary u tie interior. and then. as
now. proprietor ~ the newspaper whose
remarkable performances 60 the lash II
the administration whip have been
viewed with considerable amusement N
Genr-ii during the past two years
TIL. lester was written in the midst
o. au interesting senatorial campaign. in
which NJ. smith participated In behalf
Of Governor Goriuu's promotion 20 the
srrer. Feeling ran high n the time,
AMI or-auizri opposition was Threatened
by tbe aFiauea. Tie danger 81 PreciDi-
Eating 4 division among the democratic
voters VI The state WIS imminent and
the sit,Ia. ion called for careful treat
meut ou the part II those who had tie
harmony ~ ;he organization - heart
The Constitution was active in
the interest - democratic peace.
and IL advocated then the ~ln.e m,: $
ur,, that IL advocates TODAY There
were "a graft manv conferences anon.
prominent AMI leading men. 20 he end
that harmony might De restored rni pre-
served
In was supposed that the Farmers Al
l.anc. would engage in politics and I.iay
very Important part in public affairs.
Consequently ia was necessary ;hat ,h,re
sllulL - "a complete understanding
aLsu- Us. Democratic leaders aud tEe
ls.l-rs ~ -.r.. alliance. which had not.
~ to That time. played any par; in
acriv. politics.
Among rhuS.. who enleav0red 70 bring
alr,ut harmony in the party was Sccrc-
tarv smith. lie Was mot then a mcribar
o- 1f-- sl.v-lauFs cabinet. Hut simply
az active democrat AT q very i'm
p.rraut fuue,ure Secretary smith sought
aaI had au interview with colonel l.iv-
lu--suu. who was rie regv-uizs,l header
cc rI.e Farmers Alliance. Lu-. A. events
have shown. mott less 4 deli..,rat on that
ac7u--
Tbe lae. that The Interview hal been
L.II L..ame public property during ih-
campaign ~ f>,a'. ami rumor distorted
some uC the statements that Secretary
Smith had n1Ie. IT, correct these he
wrote. So letter 10 Hon. W. T.. Peek. who
was 60 ttat rim- th- th.-l plrty eandi-
ds-.. f.- governor A. Colonel Peek was
ol- 81 8 Lau.a auI iu savannah. Seeretl-
- smith said chat Dr. would publish his
explanatory letter a- ouc-. aud this he
dill Tine I,trr lpp.ay,,i ia the Secreta-
rvs rap-r in September. 1>.Hi, where il
will D.. r1uuI fIIy SPY forth i'm all the
bravery UE ryI.. Iu sl1t letter. referring
L. his talk with colonel Livingston.
which rumur Hai somewhat distorted.
Ssrrrtsry Smith says-
Il mentioned number ~ measures ~
proposed Reform around which all might
rl-l.r. anil "ut ~ r..m obtain the very
b.>- plan fl- the Relief ~ the people
thae if WAS possible t1 pass.
e. Currency with NuN-PERISHA-
BILE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
Al a BASIS the issue =, b. limited 10
only q parr ut tlc er.p but not to he
called in 20 the end VI Twelve months.
Ou t1e contrary. ITO remain iu circulation
until ? second crop Is harvested. and un-
iii portion IL The second crop may he
substituted f.- the first. thereby Masking
frp.-~ihI, 10 keep the money in constant
circulation auI ,o prevent a yearly
f0ro.I contraction
- TIE FREE COINAGE OF Sill
WEIR
'a Tire issue 81 treasury notes by
which the government bonds might lie
redeemed. sud. INSTEAD OF THE IN
TEBE>rBEAEING BONDS. a legal
tender currency substituted"
Plsnbs ard - Secretary smiths
reform and relief platform call for
graded income tx and \ reduction Of
the tariT.
Explaining his statements 20 Colonel
Livingston - above SET forth. Secretary
Smith says he made this declaration:
My only purpose was. IN = spirit OF
harmony. 70 MD democratic nominees
snd preserve democratic organization.
EuI pass. by a united effort. MEAS
UEES or PRACTICAL BENEFIT 10
the people"
Ii VIII thus be seen that Secretary
Smith. three years before he became =
member " the cabinet, was in favor Of
issuing currency with non-perishable
agricultural products as i BASIS" That
Is 60 say. cotton and the Ike. no matter
how great its fluctuations. was TO b. en-
pIgyed as the money of final redemption.
and currency notes were 10 b. made
,he basis. This Is mere refinement OF
the subtreasury scheme, which neither