The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-10-02
QUERIES FOR BRYAN.
An Open Letter to the Popocratic
Candidate for the Presi-
deney.
SOME PERTINENT QUESTIONS.
apprehension Excited by Campaign
Utterances Refuses to be
Allayed.

AIlayed.
The New York World, in an open let
ter to Candidate Bryan on Tuesday
morning. puts some grave and important
questions to him, and urges him to
answer them if he wants to be elected.
as the people are bordering those very
points and their votes will turn on how
they are answered and explained by
him. The readers of the Tribune should
peruse this editorial. which is reprinted
here in connection with Bryah's speech
at Madison Square garden last night
.., Ihe World says. under the caption
TO Mr.. Bryan"
10 MIR. Bryan: On the 10th of July.
the very day of your nomination for
PRESIDENT, you addressed Il cOmmunsva-
ton TO the World in the following words
To the World The restoration of silver TO
its ancient place by the side of gold will, in
my Judgment. restore the parity between
money and property and thus permit Il re-
turn OF general prosperity. The World.
which did such effective work in behalf of
an income tax. will find a still larger field of
usefulness IN supporting the gold and silver
coiHaSe Oh the constitution
WILLIAM J. BRYAN.
The World has conscientiousy cousid-
cred yonr courteous request. 1t has
carefully studied your speeches made
during and since the Chicago conven-
ton. 1t has studiously examined your
record in Congress. 1t has imparti lilly
traced yOnr career as a politician. II
lawyer, an orator and editor, in order TO
obtain an understanding of your real
character-the hardest thing IN the
world to ascertain concerning any man.
1t has published every word that could
be obtained from your eulogists and as
sociates, with the same end in view. 1t
has done all this in the sincere hope that
the knowledge gained or impressions re-
ceived would relieve the fear and apprc-
hension excited by some of your utter
ances. and particularly by some parts of
the. Chicago platform, on which you
stand.
In this connection it is only just to
remind you that the plank in the Cnca-
go platform seeming to reflect upon the
integrity of the Supreme court and in
dicating purpose to pack that tribunal
in order to secure a desired decision.
\ and the other resolution denouncing
by injunction" have been
,-.verely criticised by conservative and
,ekwa biding citizens. The people have a
a lofound and abiding respect for their
CHEST court. even when they are dis
io)ponted in their decisions. They
stoould be glad to hear your interpreta-
Don of the resolution. which is generally
cceptcd as Il stupid and Incorporate
fettack upon the Supreme court and the
4pyowal of the purpose to reconstruct it
4 accordance with the beliefs of the
PLATFORM makers should your election
rpresent the opportunity. Is this your
understanding!
Definition is also called for of the
resolution denouncing arbitrary inter-
ference by federal authorities in local
T.atters.' This is generally believed to
IAN Stree riot with free silver as
risill as sympathy with lawlessness and
en- isapprobation of President Clevelands
action at the time of the Chicago strike
Yet all who believe in law and order
as the very life and roOt-basis of civil
lied government regard this as one of
the most highly creditable acts. of his
administration. What is your view of
it?
Are you. Mr.. Bryan. for actual and
practical bimetallism-the equal coinage
of gold and silver at "a ratio that will
permit the free circulation of both money
metals, as the ratio of 16 to 1 has never
done? When You say that you favor
free coinage by the United States with
out waiting Tor the aid or consent Of
any foreign government, do you mean
that the concurrence of the great COM
merciai nations with which we trade is
not desirable aud even Indispensable if
tue IL not 10 SIlk 10 Il SILVER
basis? DO you really favor the none
tary isolation of the United States in
the family of great nations? Do we not
want our money to be accepted at its
face value all over the world: You in
sist upon ''thc right Of the peo-
pie of the United States to legislate
for themselves upon all questions"
This right is not questioned by any,
so far as we know. But the right does
ALL <l,~4x, H. ,..,1a
gress has the right to declare that our
surplus agricultural products shall be
sold abroad. But would such an asser-
ton of national independence benefit
the country: Would it have helped the
farmers of the United States to have
had the $S.O0O,OOO,OOO of exports in
the last ten years kept in the home mar
ket. or to have sold them for depreci-
ated currency while buying in return at
isolation of the United States why
should you desire it's financial isolation
IB the interest of clear understand
ing of your position, and to allay if pos
sible the fear and apprehension which
you know to exist, will you answer these
questions in your acceptance of the presi-
dental nomination, which you are about
to deliver? You must perceive in the
preparations for a second Democratic
ticket, anu III Tue -UIFlSlOuS anu UlStTdC-
tons among your POpulist and Demo
cratic supporters at the South, growing
danger to your cause, We assume that
you wish to be elected. These are some
of the points upon which you can Sc
cure votes by aAaying apprehensions.
You may also be able to do this by reply
ing to these questions, suggested by your
telegram to the World:
L. When in the history of this country
has silver occupied cts ancient place
by the side of gold?" Has there, ever
been time when the two metals circu-
lated upon equal terms as full legal
tender money, with the minis open to
the free and unlimited coinage of both
If so, when was it?
2. You say that the restoration of that
condition will, in your judgment, ''re-
store the parity between money and
property Will you kindly explain what
you mean by this? What is the parity
between money and property" Do you
mean that the restoration" will put up
prices, undo the cheapening effects of i'm
proved machinery, transportation, ETC.,
and increase the cost of living to all
classes of the community? If so, will
you kindly explain how this increase in
the cost of all commodities is likely to
promote ga return of general prosperi-
typ Will the workingman, whose wages
are stationary or nearly so, be made
more prosperous by having to pay more