New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-19
GOOD NEWS FROM THE SOUTH.
RICHARD H. EDMONDs TELLS OF THE INCREASE
OF THE SOUND MONEY IDEA THERE-REA-
SONS WHY GOLD SHOULD BE FAVORED

RICHARD H. EDMoNDs TELLS OF THE INCREASE
OF THE SOUND MONEY IDEA THERE-REA-
SONS WHY GOLD SHOULD BE FAVORED.
Richard H. Edmonds Editor Of 1.-THE Manu-
facurers Record" published Baltimore, Is in the
civ on business trip and is staying at the Gilsey
Uouse Mr. Edmonds has been Democrat. but in
the present campaign he has come out for sound
money pamphlet. entitled "A Few Facts for
the People" from his pen, appeals 10 the sound
business Judgment and common-sense Of the people
of the South and West. showing how much pros
perty for them depends upon the maintenance OF
gold standard. The pamphlet Is strong in argu-
ment and is backed up with undsputabe facts 1t
has been highly spoken OF as one Of the best cam
paign publications by all who have had the pleasure
OF reading H.
In talking yesterday with Tribune reporter. Mr.
Edmonds said that according TO his Judgment the
sentiment I'm favor OF sound money was growing
rapidly throughout the South. II base this" added
Mr. Edmonds "in part upon personal observation.
but mainly from my correspondence from all parts
Of the Southern States ! presume that The Manu-
facturers Record comes into closer touch with
what may be called the general business interests
of the South than any other paper I'm the country.
and because OF this intimate relationship II
very clearly from time 10 time the drift OF public
sentiment Recently my correspondence from every
portion of the South indicates very decided stand
in favor Of sound money the part OF the business
people Ten days ago asked thousand manu-
facturers Of cotton. iron and lumber their views as
TO the effect upon business Of the success Of the
gold or the silver ticket Up to the time that left
home to-day had received 100 replies OF which 1873
were unreservedly for gold. fifteen for silver and
twelve non -commital These letters came from
every section OF the South. and the unanimity with
which they advocated gold. to the giving up Of
lifelong political affiliations in order 10 vote for
sound money only verified what special corre-
spondents travelling constantly through that sec
ton have been reporting for weeks"
AS matter of fact" added Mr. Edmond. when
YOU come down a rea. study OF the situation the
South and West have no more cause TO favor free
silver than the East After the resumption OF specie
payments in 1879 the South started upon a period OF
progress probably never equaled when all the cir
cunstances are considered. Burdened with debts az
result Of the overwhelming losses Of the war and OF
reconstruction days with few railroads few factories
few banks and scarcely employment for its peo-
pie except In cotton raising, II labored under almost
,nconceivable Disadvantages. Despite these troubles
however its progress from 1880 to 1890 was most
marvellous. During that period added its rail-
| roads 25OO miles OF track. involving. with the
improvement Of old roads outlay OF over $1,000 -.
ooo it increased its pig iron production from ss OcO
tons in 1850 TO nearly 10000 It's coal output
has Increased from 100000 tons 10 nearly 5000 900
tons and It's cotton manufacturing interests now rep
resent capital OF tl20enoo0 with 100000 spindles,
against Co. 900 spndles and sT,GHc0 in 1880 Surprs-
| Ing as It may seem. the Souths rate OF growth
| IN ali these lines was more rapid than that OF
the Fast Its property valuation increased between
$50 and 1890 over 50 900 30 per cent, while the
Increase in the New England and Middle States COM
hined was Only 81 go 10000 % per cent In fact. A
study Of the census reports Of 1850 and 1890 show that
~ The total gain OF s2l 0O0c 900 in the true value
~ nronertv in the entire country, the South had g..
500 100000 the West and the Pacific coast sl59Dlo
o,o wing only 90 900 10000 for the New Eng and
ia ViddIe States II this does not disprove the
charge that the East has been growing rich at the
expense OF the South and West II would he nara 10
/ ind proof . ,As ,,c,s = p
IIurfinefon in a letter 10 me few days ago, sald
Ia, in view OF such figures these there could be
~ excuse for not using arguments instead OF abuse
! ~ ur9ing that the South and West should oppose
r. siiver believe that on this line OF work II Is
ossfle 10 unite the entire business interests OF the
S,,,h ritb al their influence against free silver.