Birmingham state herald., 1896-03-17

governor I spoke at different times in congress in favor of the repeal, or change
 or modification in the law, which imposes i upon state bank circulation 10 per cent tax which is prohibitory of state bank ing. In 1893, during the special session of congress, became fully satisfied that
 1t was impracticable to repeal that tax,
 because of an apprehension in the minds
 of many northern democrats that it
 would revive the old state system of
 banking, which they d;strusted, and the political prejudices of the republicans and populists in congress against 1t. I then introduced bill and spoke two hours to the committee on banking and currency in favor of it, and have ever
 since advocated it, as wise and practica- ble, for the suspension of the law iIn- | posing the 10 per cent tax on state bank issues as to the bills of all banks which under state law make a sufficient deposit in money, or convertible securities, for the redemption of such notes in specie This would leave the 10 per cent tax law | in force to prevent all schemes of wild | cat banking and to fully protect honest state banks and the holders of their notes, thus making them al good as the notes of national banks. Such a law would broaden the basis increase the | volume and equitably distribute the pa per money circulation of the country reduce the rate of interest, stop the cry | ioi lICC SOlndSe Ol SlItSIs dilu dli SlliilldI schemes, and restore to the states, with | proper safeguards one of their ancient rights of which republican congress
 despoiled them in 1866 for the benefit of the great national banks. Such law, however, would not interfere with the
 national banks further than to slacken | their grasp upon the volume of circula- | ton, placing 1t in the hands of the people, | where 1t could and would respond to the | just demands of trade and commerce. HTa xx,in ax,1 Itaf 1lol tionable financial methods in some such | law as this, but never will accomplish 1t | by the battle for free coinage of silver. | It is to be hoped that these differences among us will not make any of us forget that we all belong to the same political
 organization and are united upon all other great questions. Let us exercise spirit of forbearance and tolerance of these differences and when the national
 convention of the party speaks thereon accept 1t as party law and stand to- gether.
 It is insinuated in your editorial of the 7th instant that am not upon the stump making speeches in this campaign, per- haps, because am apprehensive that the national convention may favor free coin age of silver. In reply I say that l am no trimmer nor am I a time server. My opinions on political questions, in which the interests of my country are supposed to be involved, are always freely given
 
 the national convention will adopt in it's platform the free and unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to l. do not consider it at all probable. Such prop osition will not stand ghost of a chance for adoption by that body. All the dis
 cussions we are now having in Alabama upon that subject have no utility and are but calculated to widen the breach in the party ranks You seem disposed to criticise me for talxinQ tba and gnpakinV for
 sound money and MT. Clarke, it's repre- sentative, and contrast my silence with the conduct of Ex-Governor Jones' who l is actively engaged in the campaign. 1 have abstained from making speeches in the campaign which is now going on for the nomination of democratic candidate to succeed me in the office of governor for the reason that I think propriety for bids it. For the governor to take such conspicuous part would have the appear
 ance of using his official position in an attempt to dictate to his party what member of it should be nominated to suc- ceed him. No governor of the state has ever done such thing, and l hope that the circumstances of the situation may continue such as to enable me to avoid making such a questionable precedent Two years ago Governor Jones was my warm friend and supporter, and all though had hard contest that distin- guished gentleman very properly de- clined to go on the stump in my behalf on the ground of it's impropriety. The fact that I am a candidate for United States senator does not help me. It might to some extent exempt such a course on my part from the charge of impropriety under some circumstances, which have not as yet, and l hope will not, become general. tts+ ~ The person who has the high honor of being the incumbent of the office of gov ernor should act with such impartialty dignity and propriety as not to diminish the high esteem of the people for the chief executive office of the state
 The most critical period this year will be the contest for the success of the dem, ocratic ticket after the nominations are made. I expect to do my full duty for the accomplishment of that very desira- ble end and will canvass the state for our nominees.
 After I was nominated over him two years ago Captain Johnston, like a good democrat, canvassed the state in favor of my election, and l have none other than the kindest feelings toward him. But I expect to vote for Clarkes nomina- ton in the primary and will ask the dem ocrats of my county tc vote for his nomi- nation for the reasons that his political views are more nearly in accord with mine than those of Captain Johnston, and that two years ago he was largely instru- mental in carrying his county for me and aiding in my nomination, and no consideration of policy can ever make | me ungratefui. Very respe> fully,
 WIZ c. OATES.
 The Morris Bank.
 It is announced today that on March 31 F. M. Billing will assume entire own ershp of the banking business which has been conducted here for half a century under the firm name of Josiah Morris & Go. MT. Morris died four years ago. leav- ing one child, Mrs. B. J. Baldwin. He | was regarded as the richest man in Ala bama. His will provided that the busi- | ness, which was the most extensive bank ing business in the state, should be con- -ducted without any change until April 1, 1896 MT Billing has been cashier and l general manager of the bank for many | years and now has bought out the en- tire interest of Mrs. Baldwin's estate, | she having died two years ago.
 Wy1y a Candidate.
 Hon. A. A. Wyly, one of Montgomery's | most prominent attorneys, announced to- day his candidacy for representative from this county in the Alabama legisla- ture, subject of course. to the democratic l nomination Capfafp Wvlv To uarpn