The San Francisco call., 1896-09-13
BOURKE COCHRAN TALKS.
Propounds Further Questions Re-
lating to Sound Money That
Bryan Cannot Answer,

CHICAGO, ILL, Sept. 12.-There was a
big rally here tonight of the combined
opposition to William ]. Bryan and FREQ
silver. Hon. w. Bourke Cochran of New
York delivered an eloquent and notable
address at the Auditorium before nearly
6000 people under the auspices of the
American Honest Money League. The
only decoration in the magnificent theater
was great American flag draped behind
the orator and Democratic statesman. The
audience belonged to the business class.
and the frequent outbursts of applause
which followed the rounded periods of
the speaker attested the thorough SYM.
pathy with the sentiments expressed.
There were so many applications for
tickets TO the meeting that an overflow
one was held in Battery d, which was at
tended by 1000 people, who listened 10 ad-
dresses by local advocates of gold. Mr..
Cochran was unable to address the second
meeting on account of failing voice.
Mr.. Cochran, who was received with a
storm OF cheers and applause and waving
of handkerchiefs from the standing multi.
tude, said in part:
We can have neither part nor act with man
who prosecutes campaign upon assertions
that are libels on the grandeur of our institu.
tions and the patriotism of our citizens. ON
the majesty of our Republic and on the virtue
and intelligence OF our people. ] have fol-
lowed all OF his speeches since he left New
York, and cannot discover of what he com
plains, unless ii be that the crime of 1873, as
he calls 1t, has worked mischief irreparabIe to
the people of this country.
In my speech in Madison Square Garden 7
propounded to Mr.. Bryan quest ion of great
moment, but IS yet have received no answer
in Mr.. Bryan's speeches which he has since
made. l made this statement then. that a de-
basement OF the currency would necessarily
a n ia q ota of
labor. Mr.. Bryan and his Populist friends
never will answer the question as to the effect
OF depasement OF the currency on the condi-
ton OF the workingman, because they never
can.
Wages are fixed by law tnat is as immut-
able as the seasons Wages depend on produe-
ton, and nothing else. An iniallible test o f
prosperity is the rate of wages paid to labor.
and VIII support any man who will raise the
rate OF wages no matter by what political
name. believe in high wages, because they
mean general prosperity.
l confess don't know what the crime of ,z3
was, and have some suspicion that Mr.. Bryan
does not. Tne question is not q change in the
standard OF values to apply to future contracts:
that would not do much harm. 1t is aues.
ton OF changing the standard of value ap-
plicable to existing contracts which woufd
accomplish the robbery of the Creditor class
The fraud which is being attempted will fall
Win tne heaviest hand on the laborer and
producer. who are always creditors.
Who has ever heard that money was scarce
when confidence abounded, when credit was
sOuHu, aAu "nen men trusted In the honesty
OF each other? The stock argument OF Mr.
Bryan and the Populists is the influence of
England on this country. This whole state
ment about England and English domination
OF our monetary system is absurd
would not be afraid of this money power
which they talk so much about if was able to
discover it. would like to become money
power myself The only money power have
seen is where pair Of brawny hands were at
work making something useful for the family
OF mankind. never heard that England was
tTem bling DpCanse of fear that ca cot 70
a silver standard. If she is trembling il is
with merrime-t over the idea that her foreign
trade would be ruined by the United States
has accomplished the commercial contest of
the world by the use of better money
Civilization is not riot and revolution and
hate; it is not war and conflict; it is mutual
cooperation and assistance; i. is peace, con-
fdence, honor, good will. believe the Ameri-
can people will decide this question in favor of
their own virtue and their own honesty.