Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-27

Coinage hato'
SANTON. O.. August 25.-Major McKin-
ley gave his letter Of acceptance TO tho
press associations this afternoon. having
finished DIS last reading and revision OF
Eat 1850 o'clock. The letter touches upon
ar of ,le important planks in the Re
publican national platform. but the first
falf u 10 is devoted 10 a discussion Of
th. money question. The letter is as fol-
lows.
Hou. John ST. Thurston and Others. Mem
bsrs OF the Notification Committee of
the Republican National Convention:
Gentlemen.-In pursuance Of The promise
made TO your committee. when notified
of my nomination as the Republican cam
tf.te f3r President. I beg 10 submit this
formal acceptance 3f that high honor. and
70 consider ln detail the questions at issue
iu Che pending campaign. Perhaps this
might Doe considered unnecessary, in view
o. my remarks on that occasion, and those
I have made 70 delegations that have
visited me since the ST. Louis conven-
t1n. but in view OF the momentous inn
p9rauce of the proper settlement OF the
issues presented on our future prosperity
and stend.ng as Il nation and consider
ing only the welfare and happiness Of
our people. I could not be content 10 omit
lrlln calling attention 10 the questions
which. in my opinion. vitality affect our
strength and position among the govern
ue1fs OF the world. and our morality.
Integrity and patriotism as citizens Of
ttat republic which for a century past
BIAS been the best hope Of the world ana
the inspiration OF mankind We must not
SOW prove false 20 our own high stand
ards in government nor unmndrul OF
the nools Example and wise precepts OF
the Fathers, or of tho confidence and
trust which our conduct in the past has
always Inspired.
THE FREE COINAGE OF SILVER.
For The first time since 1865 If ever be-
fore. there is presented 10 the American
people this year clear and direct issue
as % our monetary system. Of vast i'm
Iortancc IN IT'S effects. and upon the right
stt'ement Of which rests largely the
financial honor and prosperity Of the coun-
r-. il is proposed by one wing Of the
Democratic party and its allies. the Peo-
I..7 and Silver parties. 20 insugurate the
fr.e and unlimited coinage Of silver by
Independent action on the part Of the
United States. at a ratio of lC ounces Of
silver to 4 ounce Of gold The mere
o'-ala-on of this purpose is a menace
10 OUT financial and industrial interests.
snd ias already created universal alarm.
u Involves lreat peril 20 the credit and
business 90 tae country, a peril so grave
tHal conservative men everywhere are
breaking away from their old party asso-
c.alans and uniting with other patriotic
oizens n emphatic protest against the
platform ~ the Democratic National Con-
tt.Non. as am assault upon the faith and
i'o. oi Che government and the welfare
.i t-e people. We have had few questions
iH iae lifetime OF the republic more se-
ia inan mo one which is thus pre-
serteI
40 BENEFIT TO LABOR.
i.. character of the money which shall
sure our values and exchanges. and
..Ls our balances with one another and
"-.i lfe nations of the world ls OF eucb
ait Importance and so .far-reaching
i. I's consequences. as TO call FOR M.
il., pamstakng Investigation. and i'm
'--' "a sober and uuprejudiced udc-
lhe polls We must not be mis-
Dy hiases. nor deluded by false the
zee silfer would not mean that
rep dollars were 20 be freely had with
D.- tlst or labor 10 would mean the
OF ne m.nts OF the United
i me Few who are owners Of sil-
.+ Jon. but would make silver coin
..-i % The many who are engaged IN
-. fripr.scs. II would not make
l.",l easier the hours OF labor shorter.
pay better IL would not make
less labOri0ls. or more profit !
eO.t ii would not start a factory or
eNs demand for an additional day
t.li ~ would create no new occupa- /
... TO would add nothing 10 the com /
.'.l 'i t.e masses the capital Of the
I'' 'i lIe wealth Of the nation. II |
,a.'- hlt would add 10 value 10 the /
.Hi.t es1re4 II would not conserve |
ll would not restore business
L.t tui DIS direct effect would be |
' "'.'ipt tle ilI.e which yet remains. |
WHAT 1T MEANS.
4Ae meaning Of the coinage plank
.l.l''l ai chicago Is that any one may
.'". . quantity OF silver bullion now
e.n % t.H.s io The mints of the United |
..-.'r. nave 10 coined al the EXPENSE OF /
he government and receive for n sil- |
.t. .oNaf which shall bc legal tender for 1
D., la5 ih'ht OF an debts. public or pri- I
..-. ..' owner or the silver bullion /
"v-ll f-. tnc silver dollar Ii would be- |
.D.b lo tIin. and 10 nobody else Other /
i.oIIe "oAid get 40 only by their labor |
l-e products Of their land or something /
4 value. The bulliou-Owuer. on the /
Y4fr OF present values would receive /
te silver dollar Tor 70 cents worth OF /
.tf' and other people would be re- l
I.Itl 20 receive 80 as a full dollar In |
I.e payment Of debts The government
..ui4 get nothing from the transaction
IL would bear the expense Of coming the |
~, aud the community would suffer
!os5 by o. use
THE DOLLARS COMPARED.
We have coined since 1873 more than
folr hundred millions Of silver dollars
which are maintained by the government
a. parity with gold. and are fun legal
lender for tho payment Of ali debts. pub
A- and private How are The silver dol
.ait noW IA use different from those
winch would be in use under free coin
afeE They are 90 Sc OF the same weight
btd nneness. They are 10 bear the same
r raiap Of The government Why would
IAcy not be Of the same value? answer:
ne silver dollars now in use were coin
ei on account Of the government and |
not for private account or gain.
lha the government has sOlemniy
sgfe'd % keep them as good
as the best dollars We have. Ihe
government bought the silver bullion st
pc market value and coined II into sill
YER collars. Having exclusive control OF
the miniage IL only coins what II can
hOig at parity with gold. The profit
representing the difference between the