The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-09-19


rer league can scarcely be blamed for
Its zeal in behalf of the white metal.
If it were possible for the wheat
raisers and the corn growers of the
United States to double the price of
their products by legislation, who
would stop to censure them for extraor-
binary exertions in that behalf? And
30 of the Silver league.
But the object of legislation is, or
should be, the greatest good to the
greatest number; and we are surprised
to discover that our friend Bryan, who
three years ago plead early and late
against protective tariff, which he
claimed robbed nine men for the bene-
fit of the tenth, and was class legisla-
tion of the most vicious type, should
have turned nimble somerset when
he comes to discuss the silver question,
and now pleads early and late for leg
islation In the particular interests of
Colorado, Utah and Nevada.
Bald statement from whatever source
should not be accepted as Gospel truth.
This age demands, and should have,
facts and proofs.
of saving that since 1873 the prices Of
farm products have been going steadily
down, by reason of the demonstration
of silver, arguing, of course, that under
its RECOMMENDATION, and free coinage,
the prices of commodities would again
go up.
The truth Is there has been no gen
eral decline in the price OF farm prod
Its since 1879.
Up TO two years ago statistics show
hat instead of decline in the value
OF farm products there had been gem
eral advance since 1879.
This will apply 70 labor ms well.
OF course, overproduction invariably
reduces prices. and the cheapened cost
of production necessarily acts in the
same way.
But our friends tell the farmer in
ali confidence that the low price of his
wheat Is due to the characterization of
silver.
They never satisfactorily explain why
this is true. but because silver was de-
monetizcd 20 years ago. and during the
past four years wheat has declined,
they Immediately jump at the conclu-
sion that II is from the same cause.
VIII Mr.. Bryan and his school insist
that the recent decline in the price OF
horses comes from the same cause?
Won't they admit that the free coin
age OF bicycles, bloomers and electricity
has had something to do with IL?
Why not use "horse sense" when we
deal with the money question?
With tenacity worthy a stronger case
the free coinage advocate clings 20 the
fallacy that the products of the soil.
particularly cereals, and more particu-
larly wheat, suffer as silver suffers; de-
preciate in price as silver depreciates in
price.
In other words, they say that as the
peoples money Is discredited, the peo-
Ais products are discredited.
n support OF this oft-repeated asser-
ton they point, or rather did point,
TO the decline In the price of wheat for
the last few years.
This "say so" had nothing 10 stand
on but the coincidence OF mutual de-
preston.
IL never seemed 20 occur 20 our free
silver friends In their anxiety TO score
advantage by bald assertion that the inn
raense wheat fields OF Russia, India and
South America had particle 10 do with
the price of wheat. AS IL never seems
TO occur 10 them that the wonderful
increase In production as well as the
cheapcned cost OF production of silver
I'm the United States and the world at
large has anything TO do with the price
OF silver.
They just chung and hung to the coin
cidence with tremendous tenncity, and
had free coinage of their hobby into an
axiom:
"As goes silver, so goes wheat"
Alas for the stability OF axioms that
a e founded upon fallacies.
Gfrhey are as unsubstantial as the
mirege.
They are as untrustworthy ms the
house built upon the sand.
Notwithstanding that silver continued
20 decline, wheat In August, 1895. part
ed company with It, and in 90 days
dumped nearly 90 cents upward and
left its former associate in misery too
astonished for utterance.
Wheat should behaved
Such unseemly conduct has ruthless
" butchered the prettiest child OF the
orv that was ever born or sucked.
Coin will have TO rewrite and remodel
- inspired volume on finance.
II has been suggested that possibly
The free coinage OF the chinch bug and
the lIessinn fly had something to do
with tho advance In the price OF wheat