Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-05-23
The ..Coin-- LaughIin Joint Debate in
Chicago.

Chicago.
A stirring political encounter took
place Nav Il. hardly PARALLEL in the
west since the famous struggle be-
tween Lincoln and Douglas Just on
the eve Of the civil war. The com
batants were two giants Of the oppos-
ing sides in the raging financial con-
troversy-J. Lawrence Laughlin, pro-
lessor OF political economy in the
University OF Chicago, the favorite
authority Of President Cleveland, and
William II. Harvey. author OF Coin 5
Financial School" The spacious
rooms OF the Illinois club were crowd
ed almost to suifocation. President
Thomas introduced the speakers as
the ..dress-suit gladiators, and in
the eager interest displayed by the
audience was a reminder OF the me
ment when Corbett and Mitchell faced
each other for their celebrated bout at
jacksonville.
Mr.. Harvey is rather tall, dark
complexioned, spare man OF engaging
presence, but nervous temperament.
He was evidently fnll of suppressed
excitement when he came forward to
begin his address. but he soon steadi-
ed himself admirably. Prof. Laugh
Inns wiry frame and blonde, but stern
appearance is suggestive OF a less
emotional makeup.
The question was: "Resolved,
That the United States should at once
enter upon the free coinage OF silver
at the ration Of Is to ], independently
OF the action of any other nation"
Mr.. Harvey opened for the affirma-
tive. He said: 1.-The first reason
why am in favor of Independent ac-
ton by this country is that we should
not be subjected to the influences of
the governments of Europe. When
our forefathers declared their politi-
cal independence from Europe, it
was to free themselves from the class
legislation of those governments. just
" termed plutocracies. If people can
be reduced TO poverty and the pros
perity OF the United States can be
ruined by hanging to the financial
policy of Europe, then we can be re-
duced to the same condition by finan-
cial legislation as war OF conquest
would reduce us. The governments
OF Europe are plutocracies. They
squeeze the lemon for the people
about every SO often. The few con-
troll class legislation and the masses
are hewers Of wood and drawers of
water for the titled few.
ent financial system without any ref
erenee whatever to the balance of the
world, and can carry on its commerce
by ocean and by land with the world
Notwithstanding.
what we are contending for is the
opening of the minis to the free coin
age of silver and the establishment of
bimetallism. Scientific bimetallism
is: Free and unlimited coinage Of
both gold and silver; the silver dol
lar Of 371s grains OF silver to be the
unit value and gold to be coined into
money at ratio to be changed, ii
necessary, from time to time. Ii an
undue and unrighteous influence by
schemers and tricksters abnormally
enhance the value of gold So a COM
mereial parity Il. 10 to / cannot be
maintained, then do as our forefath-
ers did--change the ratio, and make
the change in the weight and size of
the gold coin. We are not compell-
ed to keep the legal ratio of l6 to l.
We can ehange il to 20 to ii neces-
sary to Tx the legal ratio to cores
pond with the commercial ratio, but
III the change is made, lei US make it
in the rich mans money and not in
the poor man money. This is a
question OF capital ON one side and
humanity ON the other. OF sound
money the sound OF the clod ON the
coffin on one side, and the sound that
has the honest ring Of the peoples
money in il on the other side. 1t is a
question: Of an English policy or an
American policy. Which shall it
begt