The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-03
HON. RUDOLPH KLEBERG.
Visits Arnnsas Pass and Expresses
Htsmaelf Thereon.

Visits Arnnsas Pass and Espresso
Himself Thereon.
Arkansas Pass Herald.
Hon. Rudolph Kieberg was in town last
Saturday, and visited the Pass in company
with Governor Wheeler. In the evening he
went over to Corpus Christi In converse
tion with a Herald reporter Mr.. Kebers
said he had been unable to get out to the
brcakwater on account of the breakers.
but he had obtained a very clear idea OF the
situation. and was favcrably impressed
with the prospect OF the harbor being open
ed TO commerce at an early date under the
goodyear contract. Mr.. Kleberg said that
what impressed him most was the magnifi-
cent extent OF the harbor. He had sailed
through 1t many years ago. but did not
then pay much attention to its dimensions.
ms voyage OF Saturday gave him an idea
OF It's capacity to accommodate the COM
nerce or nations. He was satisfied that the
world offers but few equals to Arkansas
Harbor.
Being asked his opinion as to the ability
OF the Mckinley administration to restore
general prosperity. Mr.. klcberg shrugged
mis- shoulders expresslvcly and said:
IL Is large contract, and can not be
/ carried out on the present monetary sys-
tenn An Improvement was TO he expected
no matter how the elections resulted and
there is certainly no greater improvement
than would have followed Bryan's election.
The record OF failures is bad. showing an
increase. Such improvement as there is
can he credited to the large foreign de-
niand Tor wheat at better prices. This is
due to the temporary withdrawal OF the
competition of the silver standard coun-
tries, India and Arpanfina nm account ~
short crops. and the consequent disassocia =
tlon or the price OF wheat from the price
OF silver. II is to be expected that crops
VIII be normal next year. and then the
price of American wheat Will be again gov
erned by the price of the ounce OF silver
that pays for the bushel OF Indian wheat in
the English market"
Mr.. kleberg was asked TO give his views
OF the effect of proposed change In the
tariff and responded;
NO change for the better can be effected
by revision OF the tariff without re-
form of the money standard. The protection
idea is mistake. The ideal condition OF
trade is one of absolute freedom from leg
islative restrictions We can not have that
but We must get much closer to 1t than
we are to secure any considerable propor-
lion OF the foreign trade now recognized az
absolutely necessary for the healthy ex-
pansion of our industries No tariff could
stand in this country sufficiently high to
protect our home market from invasion
and occupation by Japan. China and Mex
leo. so long as those countries are permit
ted to enjoy tho huge bonus In their
favor represented by the premium on gold
Much OF the business now enjoyed by
American iron works and machine shops
is from Chinese orders. This business Is a
source Of present satisfaction. but Of future
dismay for it is eQuipping the Celestial,
and to sell us their own manufactures. at
prices that will defy our competition and
protective tariffs. They are now taking
control of the Pacific coast coal trade.
which they couldn't touch IL it was not
for the exchange in their favor. We can
not continue on a gold standard. The
amount Of available gold il too small In
proportion to the vast volume OF credit or
token money that must he kept ahoat for
the vast internal trade Of the country An
adequate gold reserve can not be main
tanned except by repeated issues of bonds
and then for but limited time. The out
come must be either himetallism or an ir-
rcdeemable paper currency. Either hoth
metals on an equality or no metallic basis
at all"
The above is tho substance OF Mr. Kle.
berg's remarks during railway Journey
OF an hour. Though he has been accused OF
instability on the currency question, ne
talks with the earnestness and breadth or
q man whose position is the result OF care
full study OF the subject in all It's bearings
and leaves no doubt of his sincerity.