Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-07-24
BLAINE ON SILVER.

BLAINE ON SILVER.
James e. Blaine said in the United States
senate, Feb 7, 1873 Lsee Congressional Record
~ believe the struggle now going on in this
country and other countries for single gold
standard would, if successful produce vide
spread disaster in and through the commercial
world. The destruction of silver as money,
and establishing gold as the sole unit of value
must have iuinous effect on all forms of prop
erty except those investments which Weld
fixed return in money. These would be enor
mously enhanced in value and would gain
disproportonate and unfair advantage over ev-
cry other species of property. If, as the most
reliable statistics affirm, there are nearly 49,
ooo, 900, 900 [seven billions of coin or bullion
IN the world, not very unequally divided be-
tween gold and silver, It is impossible to strike
silver out of existence as money without results
that will prove distressing to millions and ut
tery disastrous to tens of thousands.
81 believe gold and silver coin to be the
money OF the constitution--indeed, the money
OF the American people anterior to the consti-
tuition, which the great organic law recognized
as quite independent of its own existence. No
power was conferred on congress to declare that
either metal should not be money. Congress
has, therefore, in my Judgment no power to
demonetize silver any more than to demonetize
gold; no power to demonetize either than to
demonetize BOTH In this statement am re-
peating the weighty dictun of the first of con-
stitutional lawyers. If, therefore, silver has
been denonetized, | am in favor of remonetiz-
ing It, IT its coinage has been prohibited, l
am III favor of ordering it to be resumed. If
1t has been restricted, | am in favor of having
it enlarged.'
A NEW book, entitled Industrial Agitation;
or, the People, the Robbers and the Law" has
been received at this office. 1t is "a review of
the status of producing Classes in the light of
demonstrated facts" E. o. Ball, author Send
IS cents to the Humboldt Publishing Co., Ga
Fifth avenue, New York.
THE manager of the cooperative store at
Olathe, Mr.. Livingstone who has been gold
standard man, went to hear Bryan, at Kansas
City, and returned home enthusiastic free
silver advocate. He says he never understood
the question before hearing Bryan.
SINCE Bryan's nomination, he has been del
uged with presents, among them choice brands
of liquors and cigars. He says he doesn't
want presents, and he poured the liquors in the
sewer and gave the cigars to the reporters.
THE Atchison Champion Rep. says: "There
ought to be Republican United States senator
and eight Republican congressman chosen this
year. They cannot be elected on gold-stand-
ard platform" You're right; they can't
THERE was meeting of advocates of Direct
Legislation at St. Louis, Wednesday, which
was addressed by some of the foremost reform
ers of the nation. Sentiment in favor of D-
rect Legislation is rapidly increasing.
IT appears that Arthus SewaE, Democratic
vice-presidentia candidate, is like Grover Cleve-
land in one respect-he enjoys fishing. He
went fishing one day this week, and the first
fish he caught was a SILVER hake.
WE have talked with many middle-of-the-
road Populists, and we have talked with but
two who are not in favor of the nomination of
Bryan. We do not say this to influence any
one-we simply state fact.
THERE were numerous woman delegates in
the Ropulist convention at st. Louisa novel
sight to many of the delegates aud spectators.
1t was eminently just and proper, too.
THE New York Sun fought Cleveland during
two campaigns. He was elected both times.
The Sun is supporting Mckinley. IT'S well.
Drrr L of