The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-09-08
SOME FAIR QUESTIONS.
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
On the supposition that absolutely good
collars, worth 100 cents in gold, would be
produced by the unlimited coinage Of sill
yer. how could any laborer or farmer en-
pect to get more Of them than he is get
ting now?
In the case Of the laborer, would It not be
necessary for him to find new earning op.
portunities?
In the case Of the farmer, would it not be
necessary for him to find larger markets
for his crops or get better prices for them,
or both?
Is there the slightest reason for believ.
ing that the conversion of mine owner 5
silver into coin would set the wheels Of a
single factory running, give employment
TO a single extra laborer outside the min
ing camps. open the market for a single
extra wagon-lOad Of farmers produce or
nave any effect whatever on the price Of
labor or crops?
would not good money lie idle. Just as it
Is doing, in the absence of opportunities
10 put 1t into active enterprises?
Are not such opportunities essential to
the distribution of money among wage.
earners, and thence among those who pro-
duce articles of daily consumption?
Is 1t not universal rule that prosperity
or wage-earners makes a whole nation
result from unemployment of labor?
is 1t not evident. therefore, that Major
Mckinley was right when he said it would
be good deal better 10 open the mills of
the United states to the labor of America
than to open the mints Of the United
states to the silver of the world?"
Is 1t not evident that those who adyo-
cate free silver as a remedy for industrial
depression are prescribing a cure that does
not fit the complaint?
III unlimited silver coinage would pro-
duce dollars of inferior value, would not
such dollars be fraud on those compelled
to receive them In payment for labor or
produce?
Even If the prices Of labor and produce
should go up. would not the rise be offset
by advances In the cost of food and cloth
ing?
In other words, what would It profit any
man to receive two 5O-cent dollars where
ne now receives one 10O-cent dollar, If two
or the former would not go any further
In purchasing power than one of the latte.
now goes?
furthermore. is II not apparent that
those who toll would have the creates.
difficulty in securing higher pay as COM
pensation for the depreciation of the
money paid to them?
therefore, would not the common peo-
pie be the greatest sufferers from the
circulation of inferior dollars?
turning TO the financial condition of the
government, is 1t possible to conceive OF
any way in which unlimited silver coinage
| would improve that condition?
CcNld it, for instance, wipe out the def.
cheney of $13000,O0O in July and the de.
tciency of over sl1,OOO,OOO in August III
to date?
Is 1t not desirable that the revenue of rhs
government at least equal its eXpendl.
lures, so that bonds need not be issued to
supply deficiencies?
Would it be possible for free coinage to
| increase the revenue. under the present
scale of duties, unless the volume of i'm
ports should be greatly enlarged?
| Would not an increase of imports in.
crease the revenue in any event, with OF
| without free coinage?
Ana would not an increase of imports
make us greater consumers of foreign
goods. thus cutting down the CONSUMPTION
OF American goods and consequently III.
m!nlshng the demand for American la.
/ Dor?
| Would not decrease in the demand 70.
American labor throw our wage-earners
into greater distress than ever and make
the hard times still harder?
| Was not the country in a flourishing con.
cition, and the government paying its way
under protection?
on the whole. therefore, whether We con.
! slider the condition of industry or the fl
nances of the government. or both, do not
| experience and reason teach the wisdom OF
| Keeping the integrity of the currency in
! tact and establishing tariff for revenue
| ana protection, rather than plunging into
the free-silver folly and giving anothe,
lease OF power to the free-trade wreckers.