The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-02
THE CONDITIONS MUST BE DEALT
WITH WISELY.

The Washington correspondent OF the
Baltimore sun sends that paper the
following important and most interest
ing letter:
The currency question. which Repub-
lican members OF Congress declare Will
not be taken up until the tarin oucs-
tion has been settled either by the pres
ent or the incoming Congress, Is viewed
by many people of more importance
than any problem of taxation that can
possibly arise EX-Reprcsentative Trigg,
of Virginia. who was a Sound Money
advocate before the Chicago Convention,
but who supported ryan for the sake
OF regularity. said this afternoon:
1T makes little difference what Doi-
ticians say. or political economists DEM
onstrate. the fact remains that the con-
ditions against which the agriculturalists
and artisans have to labor are worse
than they have ever been. 1 live IN
Washington county, Virginia. one OF the
richest counties in the state. and there
the conditions are more unfavorable
to profitable farming than l have ever
known them. We have splendid crops.
but have been una BILE to sell them tor
more than. the cost of production.
a day or two ago that he had been
forced 10 levy upon the property OF
ninety-two citizens. who had heretofore
been regarded as responsible men, Tor
taxes due by them. and that he had
since felt some hesitation about offer
ing their property for sale. fearing that
no one would buy II"
Mr.. Trigg says that without regard
10 the silver question. the people OF his
section OF Virginia are actually pros
trated by a lack OF currency. and that
unless something Is done to liberaiize
the banking laws and to extend the
system. they are certain 10 remain free
silver advocates. and TO demand In the
next campaign legislation that Will ben
ent them. without regard for the money
centres of the country.
From an entirely different section OF
the country. the same complaint is
heard. Ex-Ropresentative Sommers. OF
Wisconsin, said to-day that unless some
thing was done by the present or the
incoming Congress TO improve condi-
lions. a great number OF men would
be unable TO continue in business. Real
estate in our section" he said. cannot
be sold. and houses in the city or Mil
waukee. which were formerly source
OF income to their owners, have be-
come a cause OF expenditure. 1 was
an ardent advocate OF the election or
Mr.. Bryan, but am not prepared 10
say that II may not have been fortu-
nate thing for the country that Mr..
Mckinley was elected. / am willing 10
await results before making any adverse
criticism. But of this l am certain-if
the Republicans do not do something
which will revive business. give men
employment. and assure something IKE
a stable valuation of property, the de-
mand for free silver coinage Will be
greater four years hence than II has
been before.
Il am equally certain that the ques-
ton of taxation and the question OF
revenues for the Government do not
enter into the matter AZ all. what Is
needed IS currency legislation. and the
sooner we secure something OF That KIND.
the better for the country. 4 have seen
II generally stated that the Republicans
will defer all efforts at currency re-
form until the tariff question Is set
tied. and that they viii then wait until
the affairs OF the country have adjusted
themselves 10 the new conditions. which
they expect TO produce. l cannot help
wandering what IS going TO become OF
the country I'm the meantime. am not
nj all worried about the Government.
II will continue. no matter what hap
mems. but the individual. who - more
affected by disadvantaeeous monetary
conditions. Is likely 20 suffer.
Mr.. Connally II. Trigg is one OF Vir-
einia's best-known and most reliable
citizens. and any statement ne makes
can be accepted absolutely as true. But
everybody in Virginia knows that the
conditions are what Mr.. Irieg repre-
ssnts them. not only In Washington
county, but everywhere else in toe
state. The people simply have no media