The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1896-10-10

Mr.. Chas. ii. fancy, Manager Wheel
ing Register:
In Difference TO the wishes and re-
quest of yourself and other friends,
who have sought a public expression
of my views upon the approaching
election, | submit few thoughts on
the general questions involved, have
never been considered extreme in my
party views, but am classed as con-
sentative Democrat. / believe most
firmly in the principle always advoca-
ted and defended by the Democratic
party, OF home-rule and local self-gov-
ernment The retention among the
! people Of the exercise of personal lib
erty and free government depends
largely upon their guarding well 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 a
moderate revenue tariff, with inciden-
tai protection, levied in a 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 Constitu-
ton 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 a double
standard. There is no more right,
equity or justice in gripping one of
these metals in its functions as money
than the other. As long as both met
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well; but If one is withdrawn or fore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 valua-
Bile, just as wheat or corn would adj
vance in price if the use and prod1c-
tion 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
int, inc ha laf ft-o
value in the monetary and CONNER
cial world. Soon after the demoneti-
zation OF silver in 1873, this country
began to feel the bad effects Of it, and
its 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 its former
position, and better times followed.
In 1898 its 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.
l am no recent convert to the side
OF silver. In 1878 spoke in the Sem
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
ssTwenty Years in Congress, in CIV
ing the standing of various Senators
on the subject, says:
''Mr. Davis, of West Virginia, ia
vored the utilization of silver" and
quoting from my utterances adds,
'sbecause 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 gold?
! do not fear the bad results which
the Republicans claim would follow
Mr.. Bryans election. He has declar-
ed in his letter of acceptance that un-
der no circumstances will he be can
didate for reelection. This shows
that he is not ambitious for contin-
uance in office. For fifteen. or twenty
years, from 1861, we were on paper
basis. Both gold and silver were at a
Int n Il
of the country did not come to g
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 half of a cent to print a paper
dollar it is worth only five mills.
Gold and silver, when stamped by
the government, are legal tender, and
of equal value. The Democratic par
lty 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 country and OF
the world is taken out of circulation,
which makes money more scarce.
The Republicans, in their platform,
declare that the ssexisting gold stand
ard must be preserved" until an in
ternational agreement can be secured,
which means the consent of England.
In all gold countries wages are lower
than in the United States, In some in.
stances less than half, and the work.
ing people have fewer comforts. Eng
land is creditor nation. The con.
dition and circumstances OF her peo
Pile and trade are different from ours
There Is no reason why we should en-
deavor to make our policies suit hel
affairs. We are looking to the welfare
Of our own people, and believe that
free coinage OF the products OF thu
mines Of the United States OF botf
gold and silver would be to the bes1
interests of our country. Our popu
lation Is constantly increasing. Tn,
money OF the country is none to,
large In volume for the business to b
done, and in order to keep pace will
our increasing trade and population
provision should be made for It's OK
pansion. The 0fflcial reports OF tn
Treasury Department. show that no
only Is our money per capita, In eli
+ cll1at}DD. ha5nQ contracted Int tim