The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1896-09-30
EbK1Ns, w. VA, Sept. 10, 1896.
Mr. Chas. III. Iraney, Manager Whee

ing Register:
In Difference to the wishes and re-
quest of yourself and other friends,
who have sought public expression of
my views upon the approaching elec
ton, submit few thoughts on the
general questions involved / have
never been considered extreme in my
party views, but am classed as con
servative Democrat. believe most
firmly in the principle always advoca-
ted and defended by the Democratic
party, of home-rule and local selt-goV-
/ ernment. The retention among the
people of the exercise of personal lib
erty and free government depends
largely upon their guarding we'll the
right to control all matters pertaining
to legislation, revenue and taxation.
The interests of the whole people,
in my Judgment, are best served by
moderate revenue tariff, with Incl
dental protection, levied in spirit of
fairness to all sections and industries.
The issues of the present campaign
have narrowed down practically to
the question of the position of silver
in our financial policy. Our Consti-
tuition recognizes gold and silver as
the money metals, prohibits the States
from making anything else legal ten
der, and the country from the begin
ming has had them in use as Il double
standard. There is no more right,
equity or Justice in crippling one of
these metals in it's functions as money
than the other AS long as bothmet
ais were allowed their field of useful
ness in the monetary system OF the
country they served their purpose
well; but If one is withdrawn or fore
ed out the other becomes more Yalua-
BILE, Just as wheat or corn would adj
vance in price ifthe use and produc-
ton of either should be prohibited.
AS long as the laws regulating the ra-
ito of gold and silver were in force
there was no agitation of the silver
question, and for nearly hundred
years the two metals, with one slight
change maintined the same relative
value in the monetary and commerci-
al world. Soon after the demonetiza-
ton of silver in 1873, this country be-
gan to feel the bad effects of it, and
| it's discussion by men and parties be-
gan. For the following five years the
country suffered from financial and
commercial troubles. In 1878 silver
was partially restored to it's former
position, and better times followed.
In 1893 it's further enlarged use as
money was denied, and the present
gold standard was the result. The
times have been hard ever since.
These are not mere condolences, but
are causes and effects.
am no recent convert to the side
of silver. In 1873 / spoke in the SEN
ate on the subject of coinage, and
then took position entirely consist
ent with my present attitude on the
silver question. Mr.. Blaine, in his
"Twenty Years in Congress-" in Civ
ing the standing of various Senators
on the subject, says:
"NIr Davis, of West Virginia, fa-
vored the utilization of silver" and
quoting from my utterances adds,
''because it is one of our chief pro
ducts, will make the money known to
the Constitution more abundant, will
relieve distress, and lead back to pros
perity."
Is it not significant that in almost
every Congress since 1878, regardless
of the party in power, whenever the
question has been presented major
ity of the members have favored sill
yer, and have several times refused to
make United States bonds, which are
payable in coin, payable in goldH
L do not fear the bad results which
the Republicans claim would follow
Mr.. Bryan's election. He has declar-
ed in his letter o: acceptance that un-
der no circumstances will he be a can
didate for reelection. This shows
that he is not ambitious for "A contin
unnce in office. For fifteen or TWEEN
ty years, from 1861, we were on pa
per basis. Both gold and silver were
at premium, but the trade and com
merce of the country did not come to
a standstill. Business went on, and
the country was prosperous.
The Republicans do not advocate
putting more silver in a dollar, but
say it is worth only SO cents, referring
to its bullion value, fixed in London,
and disregarding entirely the value
which the stamp of the government
gives it, and also the increased de-
mand if used for coinage. They might
just as well say that because it costs
one-haIf of cent to print a vuI,er dol
lar it is worth only five mills.
Gold and silver, when stamped by
the government, are legal tender,
and of equal value. The Democratic
party does not propose to take away
this quality from either coin, but to
keep both in use as legal tender. II
silver is no longer used as money,
about one-half of the coin of this coun-
try and of the world is taken out of
circulation, which makes money more
scarce.
The Republicans, in'their platform,
declare that the 'existing gold stand
ard must be preseryedn until an i'm