The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1895-09-28
Jqiat silver Dshsts u Mexico, Il

JQiat Silver Debats It Mexico, 10.
An exciting debate on the ques-
ton st free coinage was held 1T
Mexico, Mo-, last week between Ex-
Congressman CLARK from the Ninth
District and U, s. Hall, the present
Congressman from the Second Dis
trict. Mr.. Clark, the advocate Of
free coinage, opened the debate and
said in part as follows:
No difference what Mr.. Hall says
OF what say, the real issue is BIZ
rnetallism or gold monometallism.
It is not a mere squabble about
ratios. It goes beyond that.
When stripped of all disguise,
the question is whether the people Of
this world shall have money enough
or only half enough to transact their
business and as consequence OF
that issue is the further question Of
whether the Democratic party shall
live or die.
There is not room for two gold
monometallic parties in this coun-
try. The Republicans have pre-
empted that ground, and l solemn
ly protest against the Democratic
party being republicanized. This
question is the most momentous
discussed among men since Sumter
was fired on, and rises high above
all personalities and personal con-
siderations.
Is there or is there not gold
enough in the world from which to
make all the money we need?
Let Mr.. Hall answer yes or no.
It is a plain question, susceptible
of a square answer. 1t goes to the
very heart of the financial question.
l answer no.
How much of gold and silver is
supposed to be used as money in
the wo ~
Betws xf4en and eight billion
How many people are there?
One billion and a quarter.
How much3is that per capita?
About 1914.
How much gold is there?
Between three and half and
four billions.
How much is that per capita?
A little over SO.
Senator Cockrell says it's 1913
q head.
Is that enough?
Let's apply it to Audrain county.
You have $4,000 people. That
would make $4,000 with which to
transact the business of this great
county. Is that enough?
Why, any one of the three banks
in Mexico has more than that on
deposit, counting gold, silver and
paper-mostly paper-to say moth
ing of the banks at Vandalia, Far
Der and other towns.
But they say the gold supply is
increasing annually and that there
will be enough to supply mankind.
When?
When the dream of the alchemist
of transmitting the baser metals
into gold is realized-then and not
till then.
The annual output of gold in the
world is only $13O,OOO,OOO. After
deducting what is used for the arts
and sciences it leaves only $4,000
900 for coinage purposes-which is
the munifcent sum of 1877 cents a
head.
Is anything else increasing?
Yes, population increases at the
rate of 3 per cent per annum, while
gold increases only 1 per cent
which is really decrease in the per
capita amount-and all political
economists agree that a decrease
per capita circulation means ruin.
Population is increasing faster
than ever before. Its sources are
inexhaustible. The supply Of gold
is certain to cease some time and
may cease at any time.
One third of the gold we now get
comes from silver mines. If these
are shut up the $46,OOO,OOO annual
output drops to $31 100000, max
ing matters still worse.
l don't ask you to take my word
/ am bimetallist and may be &C.
cused of juggling figures.
Mr.. Raynor of Baltimore led the
fight for repeal. He said: SIN my
opinion there is not a sufficient
amount of gold in the world to sup
ply the demands of commerce and
the necessities of the worlds circu-
lation.
In 1878, John G. Carlisle said:
II know that the worlds stock of
nrociOnc metals 10 poDo <oo Ia