Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-26
HOEE MAKES \ TEN STRIKE DOS
 He Received an Ovation From AIabamianS and Georgians. W0RKINGMEN OUT IN FORCE One of His Apt Illustrations Creates Pro as found impression. THE EFFECT OF A DEPRECATED DOLLAR Why the Capitalists of Mexico Favor Free and Unlimited Co.nage-Sound Money Men Jubilant at the Results
 of His Speech.
WORKINGMEN OUT IN FORCE
THE EFFECT OF A DEPRECATED DOLLAR

Columbus, Ga July 25.---TIon. Hoke Smith, secretary of the interior, has b.en a guest of the democratic executive committee in Muscogee county today, and has received a regular ovation from the people of Columbus.
 A public reception was held between II and 1 o'clock at the Rankin house, which was attended by many people. there being steady stream going and coming for over two hours. Hundreds came from across the river from Phenix City and Girard. The secretary was very cordially greeted. and made very faVora ble impression on those who called upon him.
 In the afternoon he was given drive around the city. Tonight the opera house was almost packed 10 hear his great speech in advocacy of a sound currency. Hundreds came in on the trains from neighboring towns in Georgia and Ala bama.
 On the stage were over fifty of the rep resentative men of the city and county, including prominent mechanics and noted worlingmen.
 Secretary Smith was cloquently intro duced by Lionel c. Levy. Esq, leading
 
 with heartiest applause.
 He spoke for over two hours, and was listened to with intense interest, being ill- terrupted occasionally by applause when some specially strong points were made.
 Referring to the panic of 1893, the sec retary said that the demand notes called greenbacks had been presented during the panic at the treasury for payment. The government did not have the money then, and 1t was necessary for it to bor row the money. This it did by issuing bonds.
 The secretary stated that he was satis- fled no cause of uneasiness should exist on account of the very small demand made upon the treasury last week for the payment of additional demand notes He was confident that this was the result of a brokers fight in New York and business men might feel assured that no rush would be made upon the treasury to the extent to cause any trouble by the demand notes unpaid.
 He called attention to the fact that the national democratic pla atform of 1876, on which Tilden and Hendricks were nomi- mated, denounced the failure of the re- publican party to make good the promise of the legal tender notes (demand notes), and declared that their non-payment wa regarded as plight of faith of the nation
 He declared that every democratic plat form recognized the principle that the government must absolutely maintain it's credit, and meet these demand notes whenever they were presented and the present administration simply did what was absolutely necessary and what was thoroughly democratic when it borrowed ynpney to pay these demand notes.
 He declared that nothing could help our monetary system more than to pay off all of these demand noteS making, however, at the same time some wise pro- vision for an increase of the currency to take their place He said that if this were done 1t would be perfectly easy to coin the silver bullion in the treasury and with it pay off the $1460 900 of treasury notes, and also use the seignor- age of fifty odd millions from the coin age of this silver.
 He showed that by such a course and by using the funds in the treasury now maintained as gold reserve. the burden would not be heavy upon the treasury and that it would end forever ali raids upon the treasury for gold disturbances consequent thereto.
 He urged that that system of exchange was best which was least expensive, and that anything that shook the credit of business throughout the country would not only drive out the circulation money, consisting of gold, silver and paper, but it t5would put out and end the use of bills of credit, checks and bills of exchange.
 Probably the greatest sufferers by the change would be the salared mem He might be paid the same number of dollars which he now has. but his dollars would be worth only half as much as he dollars he now receives.
 The secretary called attention to the. report of the senate committee, showing that the average pay to labor had ln- creased 20 per cent since 1875. He slated that a prominent railroad president, in- terested in a Mexican railroad, declared to him few days ago that his reason for favoring free and unlimited coinage Of kI.o fr.. t11, ytrf. his railroad hands received in Mexican dollars about the same number that he had to pay for similar work in tie United States, that the Mexican dollar was worth only half as much as the dol lar in the United States, and that, there fore, by free silver he was enabled to get his labor for half what it would cost in the United States.
 This same railroad president added that by the free and unlimited coinage of silver at 16 to in the United States the pay to employees in factories and of the railroads while it would amount in dollars to as much as it would now, would be really reduced one half, because the dollar would only be worth half as much, and that this would be a great benefit, and was necessary in the interest of stock holders of such enterprises.
 When asked why the companies did not at once reduce the wages, if it was thought they were too high, the railroad president replied: The labor unions are too strong to let us reduce the pay in dollars but it would take long time for them to force up the pay in the now cheap dollar to twice as many dollors as they now get.
 The declaration made profound i'm preston on the vast house, hundreds of whom were working men, and then ap- plause was loud and continuous.
 The secretary's address had powerful effect, and at the close he was greeted bith prolonged and enthusiastic ap- ylause.
 Hundreds of people were unable to get nAAa ha saraara hotlsa every avntlp tla