The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-08-17
repaid during the Fifty-third congress


Anticipating the tidal wave which
swept the country in 1894. Mr.. Bryan
declined to be a candidate for reelec-
ton and announced his candidacy for
the United States senatorship. to sue
coed Mr.. Manderson. II will be inter-
esting to the public II he will give de-
tails OF the deal by which certain
shares in the Omaha World-Herald
were purchased or controlled. the flnan-
cial distress Of the editor relieved. and
Mr.. Bryan made titular editor OF the
paper at a fixed salary during the cam
paign of 1894. a position which he still
holds. Those In a position to know de-
clare that II was not Mr.. Bryan's
money which secured the transfer OF
stock. The duties from the outset were
so arranged that the editor was en-
abled to stump the country for free
coinage without losing his position.
During his so-called occurring tour,
there Is no reason to doubt that his
salary and expenses were met by those
most strongly and personally interest
ed in free coinage. There has never
been any denial out West that Mr..
Bryan was employed at a fixed COM
pensation to preach the gospel Of free
coinage. and that the funds from which
his compensation came were In a very
large degree derived from the mine
owners
"These are only few OF the direct
and positive charges of a similar kind
which have appeared from time to time
in the most reputable and responsible
newspapers Of the United States. i
would be the last man in the world to
assail the character of Mr.. Bryan.
have not done so in any instance or by
any word of mine. Mr.. Bryan is the
candidate OF a great party. 1t is not
just to the American people that
charges of this kind should go unan-
swered. He is the man and the only
man who can make definite and con-
elusive answer. Now, my dear senator
having thus disabused your mind OF
any possible idea that I am the author
of any charges made against Mr.. Bry-
an. suggest that you turn your bat
teries upon those reputable editors and
newspapers making the charges.
cannot refrain from expressing in this
connection my surprise at the long
standing and impenetrable silence OF
yours and fellow mine owners with re-
spect to the charges so publicly and
distinctly made in the editorial column
Of the Chicago Chronicle, which have
copied above; and my still greater sur
prise at the immediate fiutter In the
flock by my simple discharge Of the
same article. with appropriate quota
tion srks, some weeks after its first
publicat ton.
II am especially interested In that
statement in your letter. as follows:
AS to contributions for the circulation
of silver literature. they have been
small, and they have all been paid by
the American Bimetallic league up To
within the last few months. since which
time contributions have been made ia
the Blmetallic union. These contribu-
tions have come from all sections oi
the country alike. These organizatlops
ees- -aecount for all the money received
and the use made OF it,
The American people. however, can
best judge as to whether or not the
contributions for the circulation of sill
yer literature have been small, II you
will submit a detailed account; and as
you say that these organizations-for
which you appear to stand sponsor
can account for all moneys received
and the use made OF 1t. hope you will
not longer delay In publishing your
ftemized balance sheet. have no doubt
II would be very interesting reading
and be greatly appreciated by wait
ing public. Now, my dear senator.
must take issue with you--much as
deprecate the necessity-when you say
you mock at the poverty OF the silver
men, i assure you have never done
any such thing; on the contrary, I have
always been profoundly impressed with
the Colossal fortunes of your self and
other bonanza mineowners. But Amer
lean people do not intend that you shall
double them at their epense. at least
not this year.
In conclusion, let me suggest tha,
I know OF no possible reason why the
American Bimetallic union and Its con.
tributors should not employ orators oi
distribute literature. I concede thai
employment by your union is honora.
bic. providing 1t Is open and avowed
so that the people, whose interests are
so vitality at stake. may know In whost
behalf they are appealed to. I hope
now, my dear sir, that you will frankly
acknowledge the undue haste and stu
| pidity with which you have misrepre.
senIted me in this matter. and sincere
| ly trust that you will immediatel,
transfer to that great democratic jour,
nal, the Chicago Chronicle, the honol
| of an opportunity to substantiate IL.
editorial Yours very truly.
John NJ. Thurston."