Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-24


hood he will be in the field with Elicit
and Frayser by the end of the week.
SENATOR sANDs's LETTER.
Here Is the letter OF senator Sands:
To the Democratic Voters OF the Third
Congressional District:
At the suggestion OF many citi-
zens from ell Of the counties and
cities I'm this district, / have had
under consideration the adyisabillty
OF offering myself as a candidate for the
nomination to Congress. and I have de-
layed announcing my decision. hoping to
bring myself to the conclusion that 1t
was best TO enlist in the contest After,
however, the most careful consideration,
1 have reluctantly come to the conclu-
sion that on personal grounds 1t is un-
wise to enter the contest, requiring az
IL must necessarily do, the consumption
OF my whole time for months TO come,
which, in view Of my recent public duties.
| can nl-afford, to say nothing OF the
legitimate expenditures Of money to make
the canvass.
For these reasons shall not become
candidate. In announcing this decision,
beg to say that II Is not made because
/ cannot cheerfully support the ticket
nominated at Chicago, or because i am
NOT III l0OIOuEH win Aht ctHh-
ments Of my party on the silver question
the one vital question to be determined
in the approaching campaign. For l be-
lieve, as / have believed for many years
i'm the past, that the true remedy for the
wretched and deplorable condition now
existing in this lovely land OF ours Is
speedy return to the blmetallic system of
coinage In operation prior TO the suicidal
act of 1873. And whether we consider this
question In the light OF our party pledges
or as conservative businessmen, the
benefcent results flowing TO every branch
of industry and employment. there is but
one safeguard and that is the restora-
ton of our coinage laws untmpaired as
they existed from the year 1892 to the
wear 1873. covering the period of the ma
tion's greatest prosperity.
BOTH GOLD AND SILVER.
In the light Of party pledges It Is TO be
remembered that every convention Of the
Democratic party that has embodied
in its platform provision in reference
% either metal has invariably held
the use Of both metals as the standard
money" and the proper currency OF the
United States not of Lombard or wall
streets. And were II not from the fear
of prolonging this letter TO an undue
length. l might very properly trace
through successive steps and COM
mept on the same showing now
the platforms from the year 1886
10 ISIS have unequivocaliy contained
such declarations as these: Gold and Sill
yer is the only safe and constitutional
currency" Honest money-the strict
maintenance of public faitn-consisting OF
gold and silver" I'VE believe in honest
money. the gold and silver coinage OF the
Constitution" and how even In the plat
form of 1892 the use Of both gold and
silver was compelled 10 be recognized
as the STANDARD money" of the country.
and both TO be coined without charge
for mintage," but how In an evil hour
under the domination OF Cleveland Tor the
frst time was inserted the term 'interpa-
tional agreement" And thus we see from
the cardinal principles OF our party on
this question. as formerly expressed, the
present platform on silver, adopted at
Chicago, is the only logical and necessary
result of a strict adherence to our first
tenets OF political faitn.
The Chicago convention, very properly
was not swayed by Perry Belmont, Wnit-
new. and other money powers, as was the
Renublican convention at st. Louis by
Platt. Lodge. and others. to adopt false
proyision in their platform to the effect
that they were in favor OF the present
gold standard
THE EFFECT OF RESTORATION.
Now, briefly, as 20 my views OF the re-
suits OF the restoration OF silver on tne
business and agricultural world since
ls73 the time of the demonetization OF
silver. There has been a steady increase
In the value of gold. whilst the statistics
show that every other specie OF property
has declined In value. that since that
time. at intervals there have been pericos
OF labor strikes, the upheavais OF TIE
masses demanding the nee essaries Oh hfe,
the continuous depression OF every brancn
OF trade. the entire lack OF prohts 10
what before have been universally consd-
cred productive enterprises, 70 markets
for the farmers proiuce, tho lowering cf
wages Of the iaborer, and the increasing
tread OF that large host OF worthy me-
chanics who are unable to find employ
ment at any price-these evitences OF the
business depression are the sad CONNER
taries OF the extremties OF the times.
To my mind, the principal causes OF the
increase of these evils are tie contraction
OF our currency. deficiency Of money.
a lack OF sufficient amount to meet the
increased volume of manufacture, ard to
purchase the products or the farmer.
That whilst under improved ma
chInery every branch OF manu-
factory and farming products
have increased the volume Of
money has decreased MANIFOLD. For to-
day the statistics show that to a
greater degree than ever agricultural
products have Increased. and II Is q la
mentabIe fact that whilst we are living
In a land smiling Ia plenteous bounty.
owing TO the contraction Of our currency.