Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-10-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
EX-SENATOR HENRY G. DAVIS
COMES OUT STRONGLY FOR BRYA N
AND SEWALL AND FOR THE
RESTORATION OF Sill
YER AS STANDARD
MONEY!
A FINE LETTER FROM A CON
SENTATIVE DEMOCRAT.

Mfr. Chas. Idney,
Manager Wheeling Register:
In Difference to the wishes and re-
quests Of yourself and other friends,
who have sought public expression
OF my views upon the approaching
election, ! submit few thoughts on
the general questions involved. |
have never been considered extreme
In my party views, but am classed
as Il conservative Democrat. l be-
lieve most firmly in the principles
always advocated and defended by
the Democratic party, of home rule
and local self.government. The re-
tention among the people OF the ex-
ercise of personal liberty and free
government depends largely upon
their guarding well the right TO con-
troll all matters pertaining to legisla-
tion, revenue and taxation.
The interests of the whole people,
in my judgment, are best served by
a moderate revenue tariff, with in
cidental protection, levied in spirit
Of fairness to all sections and indus
tries.
The issues of the present campaign
have narrowed down practically to
the question of the position of silver
in our financial policy. Our cOnsti-
tuition recognizes gold and silver as
the money metals, prohibits the
States from making anything else
legal tender, and the country from
the beginning has had them in use
as double standard. There is no
more right, equity or justice in Grip
pling one of these metals in it's func-
tions as money than the other. AS
long as both metals were allowed
their proper field of usefulness in
the monetary system of the country
they served their purpose well; but
the other becomes more valuable,
just as wheat or corn would advance
in price if the use and production of
either should be prohibited. AS long
as the laws regulating the ratio of
gold aud silver were in force there
was no agitation of the silver ques-
tion, and for nearly hundred years
the two metals, with one slight
change, maintained the same rela-
tive value in the monetary and COM
niercial world. Soon after the de-
monetization of silver in 1873, this
country began to feel the bad effect
of it, and its discussion by men and
parties began. For the following
five years the country suffered from
financial and commercial troubles.
In 1878 silver was partially restored
to its former position and better
times followed. In 1898 its further
enlarged use as money was denied,
and the present gold standard was
the result. The times have been
hard ever since. These are not
mere condolences, but are causes
and effects.
l am no recent convert to the side
of silver. In 1878 l spoke in the
senate on the subject Of coinage, and
then took a position entirely consist
ent with my present attitude on the
silver question. Mr.. Blaine, in his
"Twenty Years in Congress-" in
giving the standing of various sena-
tors on the subject, says:
sMr. Davis, Of West Virginia, ia.
vored the utilization of silver and
quoting from my utterances, adds,
. because 1t Is one of our chief pro-
ducts, will make the money known
to the constitution more abundant,
will relieve distress and lead back to
prosperity
Is 1t not significant that in almost
every congress since 1878, regardless
of the party In power, whenever the
question has been presented, a ma
jority Of the members have favored
silver, and have several times re-
fused to make United States bonds
which are payable in coin, paya
BILE 10 gold?
do not fear the bad results which
the Republicans claim would follow
Mr.. Bryan's election. He has de
declared in his letter of acceptanc,
that under no circumstances will HI
be candidate for reelection. Thi:
shows that he Is not ambitious for ,
continuance In Office. For fifteen o
twenty years, from 1861. we wer'