The Progress., 1896-09-17
H0N. VIM. ]. BRYANS SPEECH.
the Democratic Nomination for President Of the United
nel,yered Before $4,000 PEG Pile Madison Square Garden
New York, Au gust IL, 1886
WESTERN NEWSPAP Err UNION REPOKIl

l q.
,iple which underlies the income tax.
some twenty years ago this same court
sustained without dissenting voice,
an income-tax law almost identical
with the one recently overthrown; has
not future court as much right to
return to the judicial precedents OF a
century as the present court had co
depart from them? When courts allow
rehearings they admit that error is
possible: the late decision against the
income tax was given by majority
of one after a rehearing.
"The last income-tax law sought to
apportion the burdens Of government
more equitably among those VINO en-
10y the protection Of the government.
At present the expenses Of the federal
government, collected through internal
revenue taxes and import duties, are
especially burdensome upon the poor
classes of society The income-tax law,
with its exemption provisions, was not
unjust to the possessors OF large In
comes, because they were not COM
PEELED to pay total federal tax greater
than their share.
"Now, let me ask you to consider the
paramount question OF this campaign
the money question. 1t Is scarcely
necessary to defend the principle OF Dl-
metallism. No national party during
the entire history Of the United States
has ever declared against 1t, and no
party in this campaign has had the
temerity to oppose it. The republican
platform expressly declares that d.
metallism is desirable when 1t pledges
the republican party to aid in securing
! II as soon as the assistance OF certain
: foreign nations can be obtained. Inc
gold standard has been weighed In the
balance and found wanting. Take from
it the powerful support Of the money
owning and the money-changlng
2 classes and it cannot stand for one DAY
g in any nation in the world. 1t was fas-
y tened upon the United States without
). discussion before the people, and its
!. friends have never yet been willing to
: risk q verdict before the voters upon
a that issue.
/. Test Of Honesty In Money.
"What Is the test OF honesty IN
II money? 1t must certainly be found II
10 the purchasing power of the dollar. A
l. dollar which increases in purchasing
% mower is just as dishonest as a dollal
10 which decreases in purchasing power
"a II cannot be successfully claimed ina
. recommendation or bimetallism, or an!
90 other system, gives an absolutely JUS
NJ standard Of value. Bimetallism IS Det
ter than monometallism, not because
i. gives us perfect dollar-that Is, dol
be lar absolutely unvarying in it's genera
et purchasing power-but because
=. makes a nearer approach to stabiht.
"a to honesty, to justice, than gol
n. standard possibly can. Any legislatio
- which lessons the worlds stock
20. standard money increases the e.
AZ changeable value Of the dollar; thel
IN fore the crusade against silver must II
-, evitably raise the purchasing power
~ money and lower the money Value
~, all other forms Of property.
,ye oppouents Admit tbs Error
er. "our opponents sometimes adm
IN .hot Il was a mistake to demoneu
ers silver, but inSist that we should su
NIT to present conditions rather I'M
vod rotnrn TO the bimetallic system. In
los err in supposing that we have reacn
ave the end Of the evil results OF 81
mr.. standard; we have not reached the =. =.
nj. The injury is a continuing one. !
80 same influences which are now oper'
49, ING to destroy silver in the UNI
. ~ states will, IL successful here. be tut
: :, ed against other silver-using countrl
" srd each new convert OF the g
' ~ standard will add to the general q
rent tress.
i , r.,msrs Opposed to Gold.
"" "rha farmers are opposed to the 8
~ .tondard because they have felt
'ln amects since they sell at wholes
40 and buy at retail they have .,, lost m m }
than thew have gained by falling pri'
. ard besides this, they have found I
leral certain fixed charges have not Ia,
into at all. Taxes have not been percepsl
aker decreased, although it requires mol'
wish farm products now than lormel''
rusts secure the money with which 70
taxes. 80, M. far
hose who owed 1000 is still competed
form nay $1,000, although 1t may be twic
4 not ilinicult as formerly to obtain the
at 1t lar with which to pay the debt. =
and road rates have not been reduce'
d be keep mace with falling prices, ana
es Of sides these items there are many u
nent, w...E.rners Eager for Silver.
from "rhe wage-earners have been I'M
alton by a gold standard. Wase-ear
per- know that while gold standard n
great the purchasing power Of the dolla
trong also makes 1t more dificult TO OF
'orate possession Of the dollar; they
to the tho. .mnlovment Is less permal