Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-03

physical impossibility to have a system
of bimetallsm. Now Thomas jefferson
thought differently. Alexander Hamil-
ton also thought differently, but l sup
pose those authorities are not to be cited
against these gentlemen.
Silver was demonetized because 1t was
worth more than gold. 1t was not cheap
money then. There was too much money
in the world for those who loaned money
They wanted to cut down the amount of
standard money, having only half and
that gold. and they owned the gold.
Judge Crisp stated that Mr.. Smith had
promised in Augusta to announce in At
lanta his remedy for the present f1nanclal
depression. But he has not done 1T,
Who knows what his remedy is? Mine
is the free coinage of silver. Increase
the volume of redemption money and
things will adjust themselves.
Mr. Crisp proceeded to read the free
silver letter which Mr.. Smith wrote in
1890 to Mr.. Peek, the alliance man. That
letter advocated an issue OF currency
free coinage of silver and a legal tender
currency to retire the bonds.
The writer of that letter totally dis
agreed said Mr.. Crisp, with the present
secretary of the interior
The ex-speaker quoted from a speech
Mr.. Smith made in 1894 declaring that het
believed a single gold standard to be un-
wise and dangerous and calculated 10
contract the currency, check INDUSTRY
and turn honest men out of places MI
Crisp made great sport of these deelara-
tions and put a number of questions TO
the secretary to answer. Among others
he asked: IF it was not necessary to
have an international agreement to de-
monetize silver in 1878, why Is 1t necessa-
ry to have an international agreement to
remonetize it? If the free coinage of sill
yer would give the wicked mine owner
an unrighteous profit of so cents on the
dollar why do 1t by international agree
ment?"
The real leader of the single gold
standard movement In this country Is
John Sherman.
The democratic party has never in
dorsed the single gold standard and 1t
never will.
Mr.. Crisp quoted from Mr. Carlisle's
speech on the Bland-AlHson act ana
made ironical running comments. MI.
Carlisle thinks now that he was wrong
then. l think that he is wrong now and
was right them"
Coming to remedies, Mr.. Crisp declared
that his remedy was the free, unlimited
and independent coinage of gold and sill
yer at 16 to l. But what is the remedy
of the gold people? What is Mr.. Cleve-
lands remedy?
Bonds" shouted men in the audience.
Yes, bonds. Mr.. Cleveland states
candidly where he stands. He thinks
this country and says So.
The republican party has held the same
view.
In conclusion Mr.. Crisp declared that
the only remedy was a return to bimetal-
lism.
Mr.. Smith had twenty minutes in clos
ing He said that L. @. G. Lamar and
Ben Hill led the fight against free coin
age in 1877, and he added that he had re-
ceived from Washington tonight tele-
gram calling his attention to the fact
that Mckinley, republican candidate
for the presidency, voted for the free
coinage of silver at 16 to 1. This pro-
voked cries for Mckinley and was the
seriously interfered with Mr.. Smith.
There were cries for Smith and counter
cries for Crisp. When quiet was re-
stored Mr.. Smith said that Judge Crisp
had dodged the points in his opening
speech The crowd began to call rem
edy," remedy" SO the secretary retort-
ed, II am making this speech" He said
that his logic had not been met and his
arguments had not been answered.
In conclusion he warned the laboring
men not to accept the doctrines of the
silver people.
A great many listeners pressed upon
the platform and shook the hands of the
speakers when they finished. This is
Secretary Smiths old home and he
knows thousands of citizens. Judge Crisp
was quite hoarse at the opening, but this
wore off and he spoke without much eff
fort The debates promise now to be
more spirited at every meeting hereafter.
In concluding his remarks Secretary
Smith referred to Speaker Crisp as
DANA pOp1lp