The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-03

r. y. Riand chairman 90 tire commit
tee On coinage or the house Of rerreseH-
tsfives. and one 81 the great apostles CT
Aee silver. has written ar articis for
tie March number Of the North EFneri-
can Review on The Future Of Silver"
Dir. Bland has been for cool maNy
years well known an ardent aavoeate
% the white metal. and for a good por-
ton Of thar period fought bravery and
untiringIy what must have seemed 10
him an almost hopeless struggle
But Ar. Bland has more company now
than he once had. The financial cues
ton today bids fair TO be tie paramount
Issue in the campaign OF 1856. Most, n
not all. OF the Southern and Western
states can Re counted on 10 send dele
gates 10 fhe several national conven-
tons who wiiI insist upon the restitution
OF silver as a plank In their party plat
roTus In the Eastern states the senti-
Tnent Is almost entirely in favor OF the
gold standard chauneey Depew, In an
Interview In Chicago a few days since.
said that probably - per cent. Of the
Eastern people were for a gold standard;
that the silver question did not enter
into the question OF the next campaign
at all In Eastern states. that the can9f-
dates OF both OF the two big parties were
nghting shy OF the question. He also
said that the Democrats would probably
attempt 10 make some compromise with
the silver men, while the Republicans
would steer clear altogether OF this ques-
ton in their national platform, and that
nothing short OF a miracle eoessd prevent
the Republican party from winning the
next campaign
II is doubtful whether Mr.. Depsw voices
the sentiment of the Republican party.
The Republican party cannot and win
not ignore the silver question in isS.
Mr. Bland believes that the financial
question is now paramount In our poll
ties" The statements Of these two men,
one an Eastern single gold standard Re-
publican. and the other a Western silver
Democrat. show how far apart are the
two extremes Of thought on the question
OF the financial policy Of this nation.
Mr. Bland states a seif-eyident truth
when he says that "the Democratic party
finds Itself unable TO legtslate upon the
subject" Amy one who would, after re-
viewing the work Of the last Democratic
congress. look TO that party for financial
relief. or even competency TO govern. Is
on the cold tran of q. phantom
Mr. Bland says to- purchase clause of
tho Sherman act Was repealed without
at the same time making provision for
the monetary future by complying with
the platform of the Democratic party.
which pledged the party 10 bimetaiiism
by The free coinage OF gold and silver.
The promoters OF the repeal bill claimed
that the passage OF the bill would re-
store confidence and stop the drain OF
gold from the treasury. but II Is. OF
course. matter OF history that * did
no such thing. The financial depression
has been at ats lowest ebb. and the
amount Of gold taken from the treas
urs since the repeal has been greater
than before,
'sThe party now In power Is not able
10 meet the new exIgencies. or. M 10 this
time, has not met the new exigencies."
SAYS Mr.. Bland. ''The reasons for this
failure must b. apparent to any one who
viii give a moments attention 10 the
circumstances which have led 70 this
fraction. The great leaders OF the party
in the past have insisted on the money
OF the constitution. the free coinage and
use Of both gold and silver"
Mr.. Bland SAYS the president is at vari-
ance with the platform and all the tradi-
tions OF his party: that the power rep
resented ny the banking. hond-holdsng
and mercantile elements Is with the presi-
dent and the great agricultural and
other laborlng and productive power Is
against him. The gold standard as now
maintained presupposes n perpetual bond
issue To maintain the gold standard
here requires the forcing down OF prices
% the worlds level Of prices. In no other
way can The government or the banks
maintain the single gold standard
NJ. Bland believes that IN the contest
o. ISL political parties as now organized
viii be sorciy strained, II not disrupted.