The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1896-08-22


sist in securing the return to congress
OF an eloquent advocate of the personal
interests OF the mine owners OF the west
AS a result Bryan was elected by ma
jority of 40 votes, and more than repaid
during the Fifty-third congress the money
expended in his behalf.
Anticipating the tidal wave which
swept the country in 1894, Bryan declined
TO be a candidate for reelection. and an
nounced his candidacy for the United
States senatorship to succeed Mander-
son. 1t will be interesting TO the public
e he will give details of the deal hv
which certain shares in the Omaha
World-Herald were purchased or con-
trolled, the financial distress of the cd
itor relieved, and Bryan made titular ed
ftor of the paper at a fixed salary during
the campaign of 1894, position which
he still holds. Those in a position to
know declare that it was not Bryan's
money which secured the transfer Of
stock The duties from the outset were
so arranged that the editor was enabled
to stump the country for free coinage
without losing his position. During is
so-called lecturing tour there is no rea-
son to doubt that his salary and expenses
were met by those most strongly and
personally interested in the free coinage
of silver. There has never been any de-
NAL out west that Bryan was employed
at a fixed compensation to preach the
gospel of free coinage, and that the funds
from which his compensation was in a
large degree derived came from the mine
owners.
These are a few of the direct and posi-
tive charges of a similar kind which have
ar.v r.s.A - In, ff,nc
reputable and responsible newspapers of
the United States. l would be the last
man in the world to assail the character
Of Bryan I have not done so in any in
stance or by. any word of mine. Bryan
IS a candidate of a great party. IT Is not
just to the American people that charges
of Ibis kind should go unanswered.
He is the man, and the only man, who
can make definite and conclusive answer.
Now, my dear senator, having thus
disabused your mind of any possible idea
that / am the author of any charges
made against Mr.. Bryan, l suggest that
you turn your batteries upon those re-
putable editors and newspapers making
the charges. / can not refrain from eX-
pressing in this connection my surprise
at the long-continued and impenetrable
silence Of yourself and fellow silver mine
owners with respect to the charges sc
publicly and distinctly made in the edi
torial columns of the Chicago Chronicle
which have copied above. and my still
greater surprise at the immediate flut
ter in the flock by my simple discharge
of the same article, with appropriate quo
tation marks, some weeks after its frs
publication.
"I am especially interested in tina
statement in your letter, as follows:
GAS TO contributions for the circula
ton of silver literature they have beei
small. and they have all been paid b.
the American Bimetallic League. up t
within the last few months. since whic
time contributions have been made I
the Bimetallic League. The contribution
have come from all sections of the coun
try alike. These organizations can &C
count for all the money received and IN
use made of it
THE American people, however, ca
best Judge as to whether or not con
tributlons for the circulation of silve
literature have been small If you wi
submit detailed accounts. and as you sa
that these organizations-for which 20
appear to stand sponsor-can account 70
all the moneys received and the use mad
of st. 1 hope you will not longer della
in publishing your itemized balance shee
have no doubt it would be very inter
esting reading. and be greatly appreciat
ed by waiting public.
Now, my dear senator. l must TAX
issue with you-much as l deprecate tn
necessity-when you say, You may moe
at the poverty of the silver men, 1 as
sure you l have never done any sue
thing On the contrary. 1 have Away
been profoundly impressed with the &C
lossal fortunes of yourself and other Dor
ANA mine owners. nut the America
people dc not intend that you shall do
BILE them at their expense. at least nc
this year.
I'm conclusion, permit me to sugges
that 1 know of no possible reason VIII
the American Bimetallic Union and II
contributors should net employ orator
or distribute literature. l concede tina
employment by your union is honorabl
providing it is open and avowed, so ths
the people whose interests are so vital
at stake may know in whose behalf the
are appealed to.
81 hope, now, my dear sir, that yo
will frankly acknowledge the undue has
and stupidity with which you have mi.
represented me in this matter, and 1 siI
cerely trust that you will immediatel
transfer to that great democratic 5oui
nal, the Chicago Chronicle, the honor
an opportunity to substantiate its editt
rial. Yours very truly,
JOHN NJ. THURSTON."
ONE OF UNCLE SAMs BILL