The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-08-26
A Notable Accession.
One of Chlcago's Greatest
Merchants Declares for
Silver.

day ana mas eViOe2tly hept "c'i Poo'oo
while away from Chicago.
AIR. Cooper went across the oceao to
make bis annual visit to his aged father,
who is one of the registered burgbers Of
Akkrum, Frieslaod. in Holland, where
be has resided all bis life. Mr.. Cooper
was called upon by a reporter for the
Chicago Dispatch.
There is not much that | can say Of
my trip abroad" said Mr.. Cooper
ut vas tour Of pleasure and duty
and 10 that measure it served me we'll. !"
MIR. Cooper is much improved 10
health by his ocean voyage and says
that the political situation in this coun-
try interests the people abroad.
"They do not approve Of Mckinley
over there, because of bis protective
theories, but they regard him as the
lesser of two evils, as Bryan represents
free coinage of silver. | am not
strong for Mckinley" said be, Though
l favor protection. We can make
everything over here that is made
abroard but With Mckinley as PEesiden:
our currency may become even more
contracted that it is to-day, as single
gold standard, if adopted would work
ruin to this couety and make times
harder than they are. You see, they
favor Mckinley over there because they
believe he will compel paying our debts
due there 10 gold. The debts call for
coin, aud if silver is our coic these
debts can be paid in that metal If 1t Is
so chosen.
II am yet somewhat Oh the fence.
but can't see anything but good to re-
suit FROM the free cuinage Of silver.
True, it will benefit the mine owners.
1t will also benefit the mioers-give
them wolk-and benefit the west. 1t
will give the farmer money it will
make better prices for farm products !;
it will make The farmer buyer 10 our
markets.
"Iimes can be DO worse than they
are at present. Our currency is Dot
expansive enough fo: the demands OF
our people France has $40 per capita
Of money III circulation, apd its peo-
pie are prosperous and happy. We
have but $50 per capita We ueed
more money. and free silver coinage
will put an end to business stagna;l'n.
"Our factories are closed and our
artisans and mechanics are out O: work.
More mouey will make higher prices.
better demand for goods and revival
of prosperity.
Goods and produce are too cheap
because people have 20 money TO buy
them. The depreciation in prices ou
some lines of goods has been more
than so per cent in the past six
mouths Car merchants and manu-.
facturers ssaud .hat?.
The Wilson bill that reduced The
tariff on goods about 10 per cent. ex-
cept on wool. which is made free. is
not the cause of al the hard simes.
DO you think that putting back the
old tariff would cause a return of pros
perity p
There are many ways TO view this
matter. The poor and the middle
classes pay all the taxes. I believe
the mult n:illiouaireS should pay their
proportioo. believe 10 graded iu-
come tax as partial paoacea for the
ills we have fallen into
With free silver the price Of wheat
and corn would enhance in value at
once. Dollar wheat fer the farmer
makes him look at his clothes. When
they are frayed he buys ue~. He re-
furnishes his house. if it is needed, and
SO helps to start the furniture factories
going again. l. is so n all llues.
More mouey, the greater the demand
for goods.
"A single gold standard would bling
prices still lower and more failures and
more disaster for the people 1t is bard
to say what is exactly right. We are
partially upon bimesa'lic basis now,
ard that is ii measure our salvation.
Take that away, aud where arc We
Contract our currency to Sl2 or
$15 per capita aud the result would be
such as no one could 6gure Talking
Of free silver, our mints could 40, turn
out over 100000. 900 per year--less
than 81 to ev@y iDbabitaut Would
that food the couutry! 1t would re-
store prices, confidence aud resuscitate
business. That's about, think, what
free silver would do for US This ques.
ton is rear 20 the people and they are
carefully discussing it We want to
take care Of ourselves frst-Europeau
coruiries are able to take car, Of them
selves
.ro2 T0o.,oOopof;<, Ioo1