Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-31
cunningham AND PORTER
81
Silver Cha mpion Meetsthe Gold
bug Gladiator. y
A SILVER CROWD AS USUAL
Didn't Take TO the Newfangled Gold Cure and
Resorted to the Prescription of an Old /
Time Democratic Physician.

DR.. R. M. Cunningham and Mr.. M. A,
Porter addressed the citizens of Elyton
last night.
Felix Blackburn, Esq, presided and
introduced the speakers.
Mr.. Porter opened and closed the dis
cussion.
Mr.. Porter confined his remarks mainly
to the financial question. He said that
he was opposed to the free coinage OF
silver at the raio of 16 to by this coun-
try alone; that he was satisfied with the
existing monetary conditions. He held
that the burden of argument was on
Dr. Cunningham to show that we ought
to have a change and that that change
should be to the free and unlimited
coinage of silver at the ratio of is to l.
In defense of Mr.. Carlisle, he said that
at the time that gentleman advocated
free coinage silver dollar was worth
more than gold dollar, and now 1t is
only worth half as much as a gold dollar.
On the commiSsary check system Mr..
Porter said If such legislation was start
ed there would be no end to 1t; that no
law can be enacted to legislate contracts
between parties; that the plan suggested
by Mr.. Cunningham relative to pay days
twice a month was unconstitutional; that
If the employees in Jefferson county who
themselves in union they can get two
pay days per month"; or almost anything
else they want; that they now fix the scale
of prices. Mr. Porter stated with en-
phass IF am elected to the senate l
shall not promise that will introduce
any bill which is in my opinion contrary
to the constitution of the state or Ala
bama."
DR.. Cunningham stated that the time
had come when all political parties
should make their platforms plain and
unequivocal, and candidates should pro-
claim their principles in plain and UNI
mstakable language. He prefaced his
remarks by saying that he was for the
free coinage of both gold and-silver at
the ratio. of Is to l, and If elected he would
vote for United States senator who in
dorsed that view. He reiterated his dec
laration of principles heretofore pub
lished, as regards his position on the con-
Wet question, public schools and the conf
missary check system. He said that he
heartily favored the payment of en-
poyes twice a month, and pledged him
self to see that his views, so far as in
him lay, were enacted into laws. He
quoted extracts from the statutes of New
York, Indiana, California, Rhode Island,
New Hampshire, Massachusetts and
Pennsylvania to show that these states
have regulated the pay days of
corporation DR.. Cunningham said
that Mr. Porter laid stress on
the idea that our forefathers
were inspired, and in that he believed
he was correct L. Their Inspiration fell
upon responsive breasts, making their
constituents hearts throb with love for
their country and their very nerves tim
gle with zeal and their bosoms heave
with patriotism. They legislated for the
people. I'VE have the same source of in-
spiratlon today, but the Inspiration Is
sent to Wall street for revision where
In fc aad
out and everything that has syndicate in
it Is written in capital letters. and after
it has been duly approved by Wall street
1t Is sent back to Washington, where 1t
becomes the headlines of presidential
messages and the titles of congressional
legislation"
In answer to the query by Mr.. Porter
il 16 to was the natural parity, why
the maker of the universe did not main
tain it there, the speaker said " 1t was
because his competitor, the devil, has
captured our lawmakers, and through
them demonetized the peoples money;
therefore it is only worth so cents on the
dollar, as measured by gold"
There were about $50 ladies and gentle
men present, composed of some of the
most intelligent people of the county, and
both speakers were listened to with
marked attention.
Several gentlemen remarked that Mr.
Porter did himself proud considering the
weakness of the side from which he had
to argue.
The crowd stood at least to in favor
of DIR. Cunningham, and he was cheered
to the echo, while the applause that
greeted Mr. Porter appeared to arise
from the very kindly personal feeling
and friendship rather than for his efforts
to sustain his position in speech that a
number acknowledged was as good as
they ever heard from that side.
Elyton is for free silver, Johnston and
Cunningham. or the audience of last
night was no index to the sentiment of
the people.