New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-23
A GOLD BUG OUTRAGE.

a
What is this story that comes to us from the
banks of the Genrsee? The plutocrats ana Shy-
locks have made their influence felt there. One
OF the leading banks Of Rochester is engaged III
oppressIng the farmers Of the surrounding coun-
try Ivy making them agree to pay their loans i'll
gold A correspondent sends us some OF the dis
count note blanks which lie on the counters OF
this gold bug bank for It's customers to I'LL OMIT
and borrow greenbacks, Treasury notes and Sill
yer certificates upon. Such currency Is now as
good as gold. but these money changers rear II
NAV not be for long and after the manner or
gold bugs they mean to protect themselves. even
If the people do suffer. These notes read:
Rochester, n. Y...... 49,.
... after date. ..... promise to pay 10
the order Of ....... dollars, in United
States gold coin. at the Union Bank.
Now that Is Just like banker. We suppose
the Union Bank is doing this for double pur-
pose First, to squeeze the poor debtors OF Roch-
ester and make them pay their notes In money
that may go to premium. Second. 10 scare
the tlmid voters into supporting Mckinley by
throwing out hints that if Bryan Is elected gold
will go to a premium The political nature OF
this scheme Is apparent from the fact that II Is
not the general custom Of banks to require gold.
The other leading banks Of Rochester have not
put the gold clause in their notes. The action or
the Union Bank is typical Of the mean way that
Wall Street oppressors of the poor carry on
campaign. The silver orators have already de-
nounced the gold bug money-lenders for attempt
ing to beat Bryan by threats Of refusing loans,
forecoslng mortgages and exactng payments
In gold 1t is enough to make any friend Of the
people rise up in wrath to see their poverty thus
taken advantage Of by the plutocrats. In for
mer times men were kept from expressing their
opinions by the power Of the sword. Now they
are held in subsection by the power Of gold. 1t
is sad to think that this new tyranny should
have extended to the peaceful farms of Western
New-York No wonder the poor man thinks
the silver agitator his friend. when he sees the
money power thus seeking to curl its Shiny ten
tacles about him.
But watt What is this we learn about the
Union Bank Of Rochester? Its president Is Mr..
A. Erickson Perkins? Indeed. Mr. A. Erickson
Perkins was delegate 10 the Chicago Conven-
ton. Mr.. 4. Erickson Perkins Is a versatile
man. He controls something besides bank
which is satisfied with no money but gold He
also owns a newspaper which wants other peo-
pie TO take silver. Mr.. A. Erickson Perkins
owns most Of the stock Of The Rochester Her
aid Publishing Company. Limited and Is the
president of that company. THE Rochester
Herald" carries the name OF William j. Bryan
Mt the head Of its editorial page, and Is making
a vigorous campaign for the election OF the can
ddate who promises us free silver coinage Mr..
Perkins has a good example set him by his fell
low-Popusts, Senator Stewart and Governor
Altgeld. who talk for silver and collect their bills
In gold Silver for others. gold for ones self,
Is n motto which seems to be gaining in popular
ity Can IT be that this whole demand for silver
Is after all. a clever conspiracy of Wall Street
10 enrich itself: Are the bankers trying TO de-
nde the people into adopting n debased cur
rency so that the gold. which the POpullst ora
tors complain Is concentrated In their hands.
will become more valuable: And arc most Of
them smartly pretending to favor sound money
Just to fool the people whom they have OPP
pressed into doing what gold owners want, I'M
der the impression that it Is what they don't
want? Has THE Rochester Herald" by mis-
take come ont honestly for silver In the interest
Of it's gold bug owner. and forgotten to be diplo-
matte like the rest? At any rate, It is a little
queer TO see bankers who so carefully provide
against ever having to take silver urging upon
the people that in Bryan and silver is the cure
Of all their woes.