The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1896-12-03

A number of the members of Boards
OF Trades held preliminary meeting at
Indianapolis on Tuesday and issued g
call for a national convention of CONNER
cial bodies for the purpose of taking some
action to induce congress to pass some
measure of relief for the present financial
condition. This movement is non parti-
san and is in the interests of the pros
perlty of the country. 1t Is evident to
every one who has given the matter
thought that our currency, as 1t is at
present, is menace to the business in
terests of the country 10 periods of fin
sncial distress, and furnishes the oppor-
tunity for putting IN practice wild tinan-
clal ideas the issue of which cannot fail
to be disastrous.
A cool, dlspassionate, bipartisan ex-
animation of the situation is what the
situation demands. And then legislation
IN accord with the best thought of the
country. J. c. Adams, president of the
Board - Trade, Judging from his address,
takes the same view OF the situation The
Pilot does: either that the government
go oUt OF the banking business or be
given larger banking powers. The Pilot
believes the former is the wiser course,
but the other is certainly an improve
ment upon our present system which is
fruitful of periods of disturbance and of
the creation of chImerlcal ideas Oh
finance.
1t will be unWlse to meet any move
ment of this kind, which is designed to
give stability to our currency and lay the
basis for prosperity, with any 1rrespou-
sibe talk of what free silver would have
done. The defeat of free silver has paved
the way for an adjustment on lines of
business principles and 1t IS the duty of
every one. as it is his interest, to aid IN
bringing about this desirable consumma-
| ton. Our national finances have been
| managed on wrong basis ever since
the close of the war. The free silver agi-
| tat1on has brought about one good result
and that is, 1t has called attention sharp
ly to the need of some attempt at change.
But the attempt should be made under
the guidance of sound judgment and
good sense and not under the excitement
of an election campaign. Mr. Bryans
personality, physical endurance, brilliant
leadership and eloquence won for him a
degree of popularity far beyond his merit
as statesman or as business man. 1t
was sentiment rather than judgment
which he captured aud sentiment is of no
use IN the proper settlement of this par
amount question of the hour. MIR. Bryan
IS no more learned as tinancier than he
is as lawyer and while his leadership
during a campaign is brilliant, aggres-
sive and inspiring as il should be to mar
shall popular hosts, in council his merit
is not so conspicuous and it is the cool
sense and hard Judgment which are need
ed now. 1t does the country no good to
prophesy what Mr.. Bryan's position may
be in 1900 Our duty is to make the best
use of the four years intervening. 1t is
not wise to be SO welded to the cause of
silver as to choose adversely to prosper
lty unless the latter comes through the
medium of silver. Any avenue open TO
prosperity is the path the multitude
should travel. Gloatiug over failures
may preserve interest in silver, but it is
promoting a cause at fearful cost if it
aids in delaying the advent of prosperity.
Whether gold democrats and silver
democrats may caucus together is
question which may we'll be postponed
until that critical period arrives. The
country will survive any differences
which may then arise as it will any differ
ences which may result IN permanent
disagreement. We have now common
duties of citizenship and patriotism to
perform; we have individual and mutual
interest to further and each has his bust
ness to attend to. Ii movement is
made IN good faith to better our finan-
claI system and by men whose experience
and knowledge entitle their opinion to
consideration, it deserves our support
We have no farther interest IN how much
money either party spent In the last
campaign.