The San Francisco call., 1896-03-31
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
GOLD MEN DEFIANT.

SILVER MEN ARE CHALLENGED-LINE OF BATTLE
DRAWN.
To the Editor of the San Francisco Cdlt-SIR:
The Slogan, 'Ninety-six or Never, clearly an
nounces the stand taken by the gold men.
The largest commercial organization in the
United States, the New York Chamber of Com
merce, met in that city March and as the adj
vance guard OF the money power made demon
stration in force against silver men and issued
this declaration:
''To the commercial bodies and business men
of the United States: The Chamber of Com
merce of the State OF New York believes that
the time has come for movement on the part
OF the commercial bodies and all men
to create strong public opinion in behalf OF
an unequivocal declaration by the political
conventions of both the great parties in favor
ofthe gold standard and the elimination of all
doubtful expressions in respect to the free COIN
age of silver"
citizens to unite in vigorous effort to urge
the selection OF delegates to the political con-
ventions OF both great parties who will advo-
cate clear and distinct platform 'utterances in
favor of the maintenance of the present gold
standard of value"
1lSix days later, March IL, the execu-
tive council OF the American Bankers
Association held meeting at the Cham
Der of Commerce in New York City and
the dispatch says that members from all
parts OF the country were present" and the
RESOLVED, BY the executive council of the Ameri-
can Bankers Association, that it declares un-
equivocally in favor of the maintenance OF the ex-
listing gold standard of value and recommends TO
all bankers and the customers of all banks to ex-
ereise all their influence citizens in their vari-
ous States to select delegates to the political
ventions OF both great parties who will declare un-
equivocally in favor of the existing standard of
value.
These bankers seem to be making history
The next day, March "a, the New York State
n n CnY ont maj nd rnlo thaea
words in the financial plank OF its platform
"The agitation for the free coinage of silver at
the ratio OF 16 TO / seriously disturbs all in
dustrial interests and calls for clear state
nent OF the Republican attitude upon this
question, to the end that the trade of the coun-
try at home and abroad may again be placed
upon sound and stable foundation" Then,
after denouncing "the movement for the free
coinage of silver'as "an attempt to degrade
the long ablished standard of our monetary
system, and hence blow to public and pri-
vate credit" they declare that "whilesgold re-
mains the standard of the United States ana of
the civilized world the Republican party of
New York declares itself in favor of the firm
and honorable maintenance of that standard
Passing by the high compliment paid Japan
as no part of the civilized world l wish to re.
mark that to the average Populist 1t would
seem as If one great State of the Union accepts
the terms OF the money power in complete do
c1llty; Tor 1t is not to be presumed possible
that the Cleveland Democracy of New York
will favor the free coinage of silver.
by the American Bankers Association on the
same day. Minnesota spoke on the '24th day
OF March also, through the Republican State
Convention, and this was the message sent to
the money power: 1--WE are earnestly opposed
under the present conditions to the free and
unlimited coinage OF silver" and believing
that international reconciliation of that
metap' is the true course, "the Republican
party of Minnesota most heartily fayors an in
ternational conference"
To-days news March 26) is far more sienifi-
cant-ls, in fact, rather startling. Pettigrew's
silver State, South Dakota, yesterday declared
through the Republican State Convention for
Mckinley and "sound money" "There was not
a dissenting vote" in favor of silver, the dis
patch informs us, and adds that Senator
Petiigrew made powerful fight to prevent any
expression on the silver question:" but to no
purpose. The eight delegates elected are
Isonpd Pleuged moi mot only to vote but to work for
C0nvenuon," which meets at ST. Louis June
IL.
Thus one Republican silver State had fallen
prone in gold dust at the feet of the money
power. Poor Pettigrew fell with his State, say
ing that he "bowed to the will of the maj
ity," and took the pledge to work for s'sound
money with the other delegates. But this
did not save him from further humiliation,
Ior we are told that "the other sevsn delegates
held meeting and pledged themselves not to
allow Pettgrew to be on the credentials or
platform committee at st. Louis or to vote for
National committeeman" and thus a distin-
guished United States Senator is humiliated
because he has strenuously advocated the free
coinage of silver. Indeed, we are told that
''it was proposed for time to leave Pettigrew
OH the delegation, but the Senator had threat
eneo, IN speech in Sioux Falls, that his de-
feat meant q POpulistic victory" and "the lead
ers decided that the interests of the party were
opposed 10 further humiliating him."
The situation OF the silver forces, thus chal-
lenged by the money power. is reserved for
another occasion, as have reached the limits
OF my letter. Poor Pettigrew! / fear he has
one other misfortune in store-his name will
become by-word to characterize others who
may "Pettigrew" themselves.
JOSEPH AsByRY JOHNSON
IL Essex street. San Francisco.