Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-10-08

trade and commerce of the country
dld not come to q standstill. Busi-
went on and tho country was pros.
perons.
The Republicans do not advocate
putting more silver in the dollar,
Out say 1t is worth only So cents, re-
1erring to its bullion value, fixed in
London, and disregarding entirely
the value which the stamp Of the
government gives it, and also the in
creased demand if used for coinage.
They might just as well say that be-
cause it costs one-half 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 Demo-
cratic party does not propose to take
away this quality from either coin,
bul to keep both in use as legal ten
der. IF silver is no longer used as
fmoney, 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 {" existing gold STAN
dard must be preserved" until an
international agreement can be Sc
cured, which means the consent of
England. In all gold countries wages
are lower than in the United States,
in some instances less than half, and
the working people have fewer COM
forts. England is creditor nation.
The condition and circumstances of
her people and trade are different
from ours. There is no reason why
we should endeavor to make our
policies suit her affairs. We are
looking into the welfare of our own
people, and believe that free coin
age of the products of the mines of
the United States of both gold and
silver would be to the best interests
of our country. Our population is
constantly increasing. The money
of the country is none too large in
volume for tho business to be done,
and in order to keep pace with our
increasing trade and population, pro-
vision should be made for its eXpan-
sion. The official reports of the
treasury department show that not
only is our money per capita, in cir
culation, being contracted. but that
it is decreasing in volume.
In 1894 it was S24.2S per capita
in 1895 it was $22.93 per capita; in
1896 it is S2l.10 per capita.
In volume it has fallen, in round
numbers, from 81 600, ,0OO, 900 in 1895
to 81 800, 900, 900 in 1896.
in this connection, the following |
information from the report of the |
director of the United States mint
for 1895, concerning gold and silver,
is interesting and instructive:
Estimated gold in the world, ST.
0S6, 100000; estimated silver in the
world, S4,070, 100000 estimated
gold in the United States, S61S, 1O0,-
600; estimated silver in the United
States, S625, 600, 900 ; estimated stock
money, per capita, in the United
States last year, gold, SS.7S; silver,
$3.50; paper, $5.92.
Amount of gold coined in the
United States, 1792-lS88, 81, 792, ,OOO,-
600; amount of silver coined in the
United States, 1792-1996, S687, ,OOO,-
600; amount of gold silver and pa
per currency in the United States,
(including that in the treasury,) 81
345, 100000; amount of gold, silver
and paper in circulation in the U.
S., 81 ,506, ,00O,0 900; money in the U.
s., per capita. (including that in the
treasnry,) $32.S3; money in the
United States, per capita, in circu-
lation, S21 10.
The above shows that there is |
about AN equal amount of gold and |
silver in this country and in the |
world. The decentralization, or TAX
ing out of circulation of either would |
reduce the money about one.half, |
which would bring on further pros
tration of business.
Until this campaign, no great states
man or political party has declared |
for gold and a single Standard
Washington, Adams, Hamilton, JEFF
ferson and other eminent men of the |
same period differed widely on many |
things, but all were Of one accord in |
the establishment and maintenance |
of double standard, of gold and |
silver.
The charge is freely made by Re-
publicans that Bryan's election |
would demOralize business, injure |
property and affect values unfavora-
bly,. There is nothing in Mr.. Bry-
ans record to cause such apprehen-
sions, but if there was, responsibility
makes men cautious and conserva-
tive. 1t Is not the first time that a |
party has attempted for political
ends to frighten the people into be-
lieving that the success of its oppO-
nent would bring disaster upon the
country. During the memorable
contest between the Federalis:s and
Democrats, when Adams represented
the New England idea of finance
and government, and Jefferson was
on the other side, there was an effort
on the part of Adams supporters to
arouse the sameapprehension among
the people. 1t was said that Jeffer-
son was an infidel from the hills of
Virginia, knew comparatively moth
ing about finance or business, that
he prated too much upon 'the rights
Of the people, had put forth the
principle that 'all men are created
equal,' and if elected the
interests of the country would suf-
fer, property would become de-
pressed, and the government would
be in danger. Notwithstanding this
he was elected, and reelected, and
to this day the country honors mis-
memory. Again, when the great
struggle came between the Wings
and Democrats, when Jackson and
Clay were pitted against each other,
1t was urged by the Whig and 9TH
ers who favored the moneyed inter-