Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-03
SMITH-CRISP DEBATE.
The Second Kectins Much LiVslier Than
Mas The First.
his blenders the Proceedings De-
cidcdIy Mere Interesting--t,rcn
tary Not N Little Melted.


joint debates here tonight The speak
ing occurred at the Tabernacle. and an
audience OF $500 was present. The night
was chilly and the building Is rather
open. Doth speakers warmed up after
getting started, but II was cold for their
hearers.
great many people came from the
neighboring counties. All the railroads
gave special rates and some ran eNcur-
sion trains. ON the stage were many Of
the best known men In Georgia Even
the mountain districts were represented
BY contingent in jeans and slouch hats
The audience seemed 10 be about
evenly divided. ana Il applauded both
speakers literally. though, rs the debate
progressed. considerable rivalry in cheer
INK sprang up between the two factions
This meeting was much liveller than
tie first one.
MIR. smith devoted his time to present.
ing arguments against the free coinage
OF silver. Mr. Crisp argued for time IN
favor OF free coinage. and then TOOK up
his oppouents record on finance. Mr..
Crisp Kept the audience laughing during
q great part OF his speech.
The entrance OF the two gentlemen
was marked 10y loud demonstrations.
Captain W. ID. Ellis. chairman OF the
County Democratic Executive Committee
presided. and briefly presented inc speaN-
ers OF the night.
SECRETARY SMITH OPENS.
Secretary Smith had the opening argu-
ment lie was greeted with stirriDs ap-
plause. In opening his speech MI.
smith said that every one has direct
interest in the financial question. Iheh
he added: 81 oppose the free ana IN
limited coinage OF silver, at the rauo
of lg 10 !. for the same reason as mat
given by Hon. Benjamin II. Hill in the
United States Senate in 1S0.'
The Secretary went on TO say that he
was opposed 10 free coinage al the pres
ent ratio because 1t would produce Sill
yer monometallism, ana lead TO the most
terrible financial panic the world mas
ever known. He discussed the Gresham
law. and declared that the free. unlihl-
deed and independent coinage of the two
metals at lS TO 1 would drive out goid.
Il am opposed 10 free coinage because
the present commercial ratio is 81 TO l..
(Applause)
.'When the gentlemen call themselves
bimetallists they masquerade under
coat 10 which they are not entitled. Tor
the bimetaliism they propose would pro-
duce silver mOnometallism. We would
have only one standard" the Secretary
reiterated.
..That is all we have now" remarked
a farmer in the audience.
81 VIII show you that are are mistaken
before l get through. 1t is surprising
Row Ignorant these advocates Of free
silver coinage are" retorted Mr.. Smith.
TIE Secretary proceeded to review the
coinage history of the United states.
AUDIENCE TAKES PART.
The audience began TO take part in
,be Sebate and asked questions. which
made the discussion more interesting.
mo Secretary said that, prior to ls,5'
tho government coined only S.0J,WO sill
yer dollars. ....o ,,,,a
asked.
"oulte large amount. but we did not
stop coming subsidiary money IN 800
and we are sull coming it.
.That is about ell that we have got
commented an auditor. Ct
In remodelling our currency the nfst
.b,ne, ts 10 say that our standard shan
nj he changed. We should retire thv
,rccnbacks in one Of two ways-Dy MI
carlisle's plan. which, If II had peeh
adopted. would have obviated the hecSS-
s,tv Of a bond issue; or, we can use thV
cold in the Treasury 10 redeem the EftvH-
hacks. and we could cancel those IN tne
,rrsasury. We can coin the silver IN the
Treasury and pay of the sherman ioI ,,e.
we can give silver the right OF way O0
low SO , e.o.a
hanks. very briefly. ,o
The speaker pictured a rulnous PanIN
an me event OF the adoption OF lree, uH-
limited. ana Independent coinage by this
eountry He spoke OF the erect oi lteS
coinage on wages Of labor, ana oeclaIeu
that Il would cut wages hai III '"o'
MR.. CRISP.
The applause for Mr.. Crisp whe menu. ~
arose. was prolonged. All over the hou90
men stood up and waved their mats
Ia tne beginning he remarked; Il want
90 cav of my Brother Smith that ne
,naJos az good an argument from ms
,ositlon as any man | nave ever heH-'
Then. Jumping into the argument ne
80 that standard money does not beiohs
~ any country. IL Is the great Noiuine u
yold ard silver in circulation IN the Woi
- tO-2 we had a bimetallic standard.
- D,ritsio eaid and Mr. Smith said. too.
.ta. N was a physical and metaphysical
,r,,nosihllity TO have q system OF omelaI-
I'm Now. Thomas Jefferson thought
dgTerentlv. Alexander Hamilton also
,ho,,shf differently Put 1 suppose those
au,horitles are not 10 be cited against
shess gentlemen. Silver was deInohe-
tt-ed because IL was worth more .""n
.pld. IL was not cheap MONEY uheh;
Thcre was too much money In the worlu
,hen for those who loaned money. Ihey
,,sn,cd 10 cut down the amount OF
s,arNsr1 money. and leave only hair, anu
mas gold. and they owned the god
f,,aee crisp stated that Mr.. smith had
,,o,,ised i'm Augusta 10 ANNOUNCE IN Az
santa his remedy for the present iihahcia
dsnression. 'l}ut he has not done IL Nhc
Knows what his remedy Isl Nine Is ths
free-colnage Of silver increase lhe Noiulil'
OF redemption money ana theh Uins'
VIII adjust themselves.
Nv Crisp proceeded TO read the free
.ll,s.r letter which Mr.. Smith wrote II
1Sao TO Mr.. Peel, the Alliance man ina
letter advocated an issue OF currency
hased ON nor -perishake products. th'
free coinage OF silver, and lega-tendel
currency to retire the bonds.
..The writer OF that letter totally dis
agreed" said Mr.. crisp. with the pres
snt secretary OF the Interior
1,he ex-Speaker quoted from speecl
which MIR Smith made In 1894. declarinl
that he believed single gold standard q
bs unwlse nd dangerous. and calculates
20 contract the currency, check industry
and turn honest men out OF Their places
Mr.. Crisp made great sport Of these de
clarntions. and put number OF question
20 tho Secretary 20 answer. Among other
~ asked: Ell ~ was not necessary Z
have an international agreement TO de
,none,lze silver In 1873. why Is II necessar
20 have an International agreement {
fofronetize itT
that his remedy was the free, unnmitet
and irae,eudcpt coinage OF gold and 81