The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-02
THE WORK OF EDUCATION
COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS CLUB
OPENS A CAMPAIGN SCHOOL.
Saturday Night Meetings to Be De-
voted to the Money Issue-Addison
G. Harris spoke Last Night.

The Commercial Travellers Republican
Club began a series of educational meet
ings last night. These meetings are for
the purpose Of discussing all phases of the
money question. They are not intended so
much to convert people to the sound
money doctrine as they are to furnish the
members of the club and any others who
may attend the facts with which 10 con-
trovert the arguments of the free-silver
people. The meetings are open 10 the gen.
eral public, and free-silver people are in
vited to attend them. Every Saturday
night from now until the election a meet
ing will be held in the club rooms. on
North Pennsylvania street, opposite the
Denison House. 1t was arranged that the
meeting should be addressed by Charles F.
Coffin. but notice was not given TO him in
time for him to prepare an address. The
other speaker. Addison c. Harris. was
present and talked of the points of the
silver question that would come up in the
daily discussions that take place. in every
hamlet and on every street corner.
To show that the Democratic party takes
up any idea that il thinks will insure it
success at the. polls. regardless of its effect
upon the country, Mr.. Harris spoke of the
present unprecedented condition of De-
mocracy in regard to the administration
and President Cleveland. The platform of
the party does not even mention him. and
there is not a speaker who will take the
stump for the Chicago platform and ticket
who Will have aught but to
say OF the administration. Mr.. Harris con-
tinued by showing that the administration
had done all in its power to carry out the
principles of the platform on which the
campaign Of 1892 was fought, and that the
failure to 1ndOrSe 1T is Simply because
those in control of the party are seeking
another idol which they believe will carry
them TO success.
The most fallacious argument, but at the
same time the one that is really having
the most effect with the farmer, Mr.. Har-
ris said, Is the claim that the increase In
of everything the farmer or any one has
to sell. This statement he showed to be
false by a comparison of prices at different
times. The farmer, he said. is a man who
is primarily a seller. He must sell the
product of his farm before he can buy. and
he looks for high prices; therefore. any ar
gument that will seem to show that he
can get more for his produce under free
silver reaches a tender spot. Mr.. Harris
showed that the increase in the volume of
money does not increase prices. He COM
pared the per capita circulation in 1860. 1872,
and 1896. taking July l of each year. Every
body can remember that prices were high
latter. and Mr.. Harris did not give any
figures on prices. The circulation per cap
tia for the respective periods was: 1860,
$l4 .60; 1872. SIS. 10; 1896. s21.15
Mr.. Harris concluded with n parable
which is fitting for the occasion. There
was once a miser who would not trust the
banks with his money tor fear they might
break. Ee had saved 5000, and had il in a
box under his bed. There was 500 in gold.
800 in silver and $100 i'm greenbacks. After
resting i'm safety for a long time his house
burned and with it the money. He began
raking the ashes and soon found two
Jumps of money. He took them TO a jew
eler and asked him what they were worth.
After testing them the miSer was informed
that one lump. the smaller. was worth 800,
the other was worth only S53. The ashes
of the ~greenbacks were worth nothing.
The moral is plain.
George c. Webster was called on for a
short talk. He is q travelling man, and
was the first president of the club. He
spoke for a few minutes, touching lightly
on the money question from the stand
point of the travelling man.
Next Saturday night the takers will be
members of the club. and they will be linn
tied TO ten minutes.