The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-08-20
MIR. MARTIN ON THE SILVER CUES
TIDN

MIR. MARTIN On THE SlIN En- " rs
TION.
Mr.. Thos. S. Martin. who r1ysteriously
secured from the last Legislature OF Nlr-
ginia a seat in the United states Serate'
has been at last induced 10 declare MS
views upon the all-absorbing q"tat'on
which is splitting this continent in twain
and dividing families into hostile factions,
and the upshot Of his views upon the
question is that he has got no opinion
about 1t at all.
4 representative OF The Times who en-
countered him at the White sulphur
Springs asked his views on silver but ne
positively refused TO discuss the subject
This is what he said:
He stated that the only political mat
ter requiring attention next lall %3s 'n1
election of a State Legislature. To Ire
serve the ascendency of the D4mocidtIc
party I'm that body was, he conal1 srvu,
the practical object TO be KEEP 'h ~, ~
now. lie did not believe u-at 49,
would be promoted by a discussion or lHc
silver question at present, and Tor tnSt
reason he did not care 20 .Isclss ". re
said IL was manifest that 40 icS'sie uoii
favorable to free coinage could re accom-.
ulished during Mr.. Clevel1ldS ten "
nffice and that the Democratic parry OF
Virginia would have no occasion 10 eN-
press itself on the subject until nc meet
ing OF the convention TO send delesatts
10 the National Convention. he was ep-
nosed TO anticipating the duties CT nest
year. when, by 80 doing the present par
monv and welfare of the parry Wou'u pe
disturbed without the accomplishment OF
any corresponding good.
Truly. Virginia is destined to q rard
fate when the Congress Of the United
states next assemblies. one Of her scna-
tors is to have very positive opinions
unon the only question now discussed
hut opinions that would uttsriy OtSLoy
the state If they were allowed TO pieVah'
whilst the other one is TO be absolutely
colorless and TO stand out Of the ray
u.lne other men knock us down or PICK
nc nm as the fortunes of battle may 60
rhe state has had many wrons-headed
r,ecntatives before now, but tiis Is
the first time in her history when she
ever had a representative that represent
ed nobody and nothing. There may not
he much choice between dying b" an *
plosion and dying by dry-rot. In ei'her
case we die but we confess TO preferrins
the explosion, that the thing may be over
and done with.
If Mr. Martin could induce the people
of virginia to cease all discussion d zee
silver until the fall of 1896, trcfe ln'Ehl
be some merit in his position But, Tor
,unatelv for the people. though c''or-
tunatelv for Mr. Martins theories, the
Vireiuians are very Virile people WIN
very uosiuve opinions on all qre'hohs
that affect their welfare. some of item
are foolish enough TO think an u9llml''d
o,ianritv of nity-cent legal-tender silver
dollars would improve their tcnd.uon,
and with that fortitude of opinion "'loh
characterizes the true Nirginian, they
proclaim that opinion openly and are al
WAYS ready TO state the arguments by
which they think they can justify their
error. We are very sorry for these foolish
reopIe hut their courage and sincerity
have our entire and our cordial respect
Another great body Of them know mat
ali social order and progress rest upon
a fixed and immutable standard of value
10 which whatever is used as money or
currency must conform, and they had
as soon think of pleading guilty TO any
Infamous charge as of failing 10 declare
their faith whenever Il is called INTO
question. There is another and third
fraction Of Nirginians that we are very
glad to say is a very small part Of them,
who may be described by the suggestion
Of the following anecdote:
\ would-be lawyer applied 10 one Of the
iudcos Of our Court Of Appeals some
wears back TO examine him for license
10 practice law. The Judge. TO test his
knowledge OF the distinctions between ac-
tions. said to him. suppose a merchant
should give you an account TO collect.
What would you do?" expecting him to
state the kind of action he would bring
Il would 90 and ask the debtor TO pay.
replied the student. But" said the
judge. Suppose he refused 10 pay. what
would YOU then do?" Il would call on
him again" said the student. "Oh. but"
said the judge Suppose he told you
that II you came there again. ne would
kick you out OF his office what would
you DO them" Il would offer to com
promise" said the student.
When Mir. Martin gets TO the Senate, he
may represent the Virginians who are
Of that Students order, but he will not
represent the rest Of us who differ about.
silver but who have nevertheless very
always ready to proclaim and to support.
Though Mr.. Martin may think silver
is a subject that should not be discussed
until this time next year, it is one OF
deep intercs. TO the people of Virginia,
any they are actually at work now dis
cussing II with all their might in every
county. town. and city, and they are now
forming the opinion upon which they are
going to act at the time Mr. Martin
thinks IL would be wise to wake up and
begin the discussion. Consequently. when
he gets ready to fire off his batteries
there will be no enemy TO fire at. for the
reason that the question will be settled
and peace declared. and his pop-guns
will injuro nobody except. perhaps. him
self.
Mr.. Martin undoubtedly has some
friends In Virginia. and these maintain
stoutly that he knows the folly OF free