The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-09-26
on behalf of tho local bankers.

On behalf of the local bankers.
-. II Pullen. president ina his annual
address said in part I've have assem-
hled here oi, this occasion coming rom
the north ard the south, and from the
east and the west. but we are not divided
geosrlphically h. sectional differences.
We Are proud, even in these troublesome
tines. to call ourselves American Ctti-
zens
THE American Bankers Association
during it's % years has stood for honesty,
individual honesty. official honesty, ma
tiOnai honesty; has Away stood for an
honest dollar worth 100 cents and &c
cepted as such in all the markets of the
world. We should occupy the same po-
sition today, and far from desiring to
modify our past record. we should con
firm and raiterate it without phases.
dishonest money, because it is dishonest,
attracts the lawless and revolution iry
clement-the socialist populist and am
archist. The issue today is not eXcld-
slVely honest money, but the very eX
istence of government and the preserVa-
ton Of law, life and liberty are at stake;
banks, especially national banks, have
been assailed by the VituperatiOns of g-
norance and passion.
Through the national bank system
market was opened for United States
bonds, yielding the money necessary for
TIE prosecution of the war for the pres
ervation of our Union. ard y currency
provided that has never been eXcelled
for safety. universal acceptance at par
and immediate redemption. Ninety
three per cont of the business of this
country is transacted by checks and 9TH
er negotiable instruments. Eliminate
the banking facilities of the national
banks and their circulation. and substi-
tute dishonest money rs the vehicle Of
/ do oh faIt~
result. Cation and cereals could not be
produced; if produced could not he mar
keted. Transportation would be para
lyzed. the wheels of industry would cease
TO revolve, enterprise and development
| be checked and the land plunged into
ruin and misery.
MANY sincerely believe il is true thar
the free and unlimited coinage of sill
yer at the ratio of 10 to l, and the pay
ment of existing obligations public and
| personal in tina. metal, would be for the
| highest good of the country. We respect
| their sincerity in honestly advocating
dishonesty, but regret their hallucina-
ton on the subject, and are sorry to see
them in such disreputable company.
'1he question has finally been referred
to the ballot box for settlement There
! is a God who presides over the destinirs
of nations. Let us do our duty. and than
| trust Him in the present crisis of out
| beloved country for the pl reservation OF
it's honor and liberty inscparable, for as
| Eurke said, What is liberty without wis
dom and with out virtue2 Such liberty
is the greatest of an possible evils. for
it is vice and folly. and madness with
out tuition and without restraint
From liberty without honor or virtue
from dishonesty, from lawlossnoss. from
anarchy and ruin. good Lord deliver u.s.
AZ the conclusion If Mr. pullen'.
address the reports of tho oxecuuv.
council and protective committee wer.
read by Chairman Joseph G.. Hondrov
president of the National Union bank o.
New York. The report Of the executi,
council states that in its opinion. TN.
existing commercial depression is imme
diately due to the attacks which threat
on to overthrow the present gold stand
ard of value. and adds in part.
I'VE further believe that our full meas
of national prosperity win not be game,
until the whole world understands thu
dollar of the United States is 100 cents
worth of gold, and that the nation in
tends to keep II at that value
I'VE believe that an opportunity is pre-
scented by the issue Of the political cam
paign to give a lasting definition of tn
dollar as a money unit, to permanent
) settle the foundation of our money sys
tenn, and 10 remove the menace Of al
overturn of value and far-reaching rui
} and distress, which a descent to a silye
basis would involve"
, The treasurers report was read. in tn
, absence of that officer, by William f
( Porter, of the Chase National bank G
New York. It was followed by the repoI
A of the auditing committee.
Secretary Branch's annual report say