The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-22
COL. VIM. II. MORRISON DECLARES
HIMSELF,

What the views of Colonel William X.
Morrison are upon the financial ques-
tions of the day has long been subject
of discussion amongst men seeking an
available presidential nominee for the
Democratic convention, and some nave
been asserting that he was sound-money
man. while others have claimed that he
was tinctured with free silver. lie has
at last expressed himself in a newspaper
interview. and on the assumption that ne
is for sound money, he Will never be
spoken of again for the place. HIS views
have about as much frmness and con-
sistency as a plate Of mush SO that the
sound-money man will turn from him,
and the free-silver man VIII say That ne
seems to lean against the free coinage
of silver at the ratio Of l6 to l, and con-
seQuently that he will not do for him.
Colonel Morrison states his platform,
and we shall have word to say about
st directly. but before doing so we wish
to notice some other things that he SAID.
lie said: ut is difficult to keep up with
the Administration; it SO often moves on
in the direction of the demands Of the
thrifty in finance" And again: ITO en-
sure such a policy"-that is. the platform
which he lays down-"counsel should
rather be taken Of the peoples represent
atives than of a bunch Of financiers. who
may be learned in their craft, but whose
counsel may have the bias of self
interest"
That is, that upon question or what
are the best measures for preserving 10
the people a sound and steady medium oil
exchange by which they may transact
their business with certainty OF re-
ceiving that which they contract for
those who have never succeeded at any
thing are better counsellors than the
thrifty In finance" and a set OF brawl-
ing politicians, who know nothing or the
most elementary principles OF the subject,
are better advisers than bunch or IMAM
ciers," who have made money and the
best methods Of employing 1t the study
OF their lives. Whether the Administra-
ton has really advised with the persons
Colonel Morrison thinks SO badly quail
fed to give IL sound advice, or wnethe.
1t has not. we are delighted that II has
shaped its action according 10 such coun-
sci as those parties would have given 10
1t If it had applied to them. II 1t had
followed Colonel Morrison's idea and been
guided by the Populist statesmen he CON-
mends 80 81, we should to-day be upon the
basis OF fifty-cent silver dollar with a
ruin and destruction spread over the lace
OF the land that is too awful to con-
template.
With such views as these, II is not sur.
prising TO hear Colonel Morrison ado
that "gold alone is now Il too narrow anc
insufficient money basis" And, pray
how would Colonel Morrison ada 10 the
breadth Of the money basis? Would h,
make 1t broader by adding great mum
Der Of silver coins called dollars, eacn on,
OF which. however. was worth only hal
as much as each one Of the gold doIari
10 which they were added? IL this is no
TO be the remedy. we are at a boss I,
see the perunency Of his remark unoe
the existing state OF things.
We come now 10 colonel MorrlSon
platform. lie says
IL would be willing 10 take as the Dom
ocratic policy or platform, the declaration
made IN the law repeating tho Sherman
act. Here Il is:
Ana II Is hereby declared 70 oe IN
policy OF the United States 10 continu
the use OF both gold and silver as stand
ard money, and 10 coin both gold an
silver into money OF equal intrinsic en-
exchange BILE value such equality 10 b
secured by international agreement, o
by such safeguards Of legislation as wi
insure the maintenance of the parity i
value OF the coins % the two metals, an
the equal power OF every dollar at a
times In the markets and In the paymen
OF debts And II Is hereby further az
clared that the efforts Of the Govcrnmer
should he steadily directed 20 the estai
iishment OF such safe sys;cm or b
metaIlism as viii maintain at all times IN
equal power OF every dollar coined or u
sued By the United States IN the market
and IN the payment OF debts"
Ms paor old Dlsysd-out ipssrussion'