The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-07-16
TWO IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

There are two economic theories which
the people mean to have put into prac-
tical operation upon a basis that shall be
permanent. One is a schedule of import
duties that shall secure ample protection
to our industries against hurtful foreign in
yaslon; the other is bimetallic currency
upon basis that shall make coins inter-
changeable because one is as good as the
other for redemption money purposes.
Mr.. Bryan assumes himself to be the
champion OF bimetallism. but neither him.
self nor single one of his admirers is
equal to the solution of such a problem;
besides, he is opposed to protection, and
protection and bimetaIllsm necessarily go
together.
There will be protection and there will
be bimetalhc currency, but neither can
be established except by men who are
statesmen in the broadcast and fullest
meaning of the term. The Democratic
party has driven all of its great political
economists away from it by its Chicago
declaration of principles, which mistakes
silver recommendation for bimetallism.
And since these statesmen, who have been
expelled by their own party. are afiliating
with the Republican party in so far as the
money question is concerned, it would
seem that all true bimetallists would not
think of looking elsewhere for ability and
experiences to formulate a plan to secure
the desired result. Moreover, the Repub-
lican party is pledged to bimetalhsm, as
are the expelled statesmen from the Dem
ocratic party, and it is also true that
craftsmanship of the highest order will be
required TO place the Nations financial
system upon a bimetallic foundation. 1t
is not matter of mere child's play to do
it right, and if not done right it were bet
ter that it not be done at all.
Nothing could be more harmful to the
material affairs of the people than tinker
ing with the industrial and money ques-
ton by incompetent men. The people
cannot afford TO trust the solution of such
problems to men who preach the widest
political vagaries. The Importance of
having these two great questions settled
right should be clear to every thinking
man. That they must be settled there is
no doubt whatever if the fundamental
principles of the Government are to be
maintained. Nor should they be settled
to-day TO be overhauled tomorrow, but
when they are settled it should be upon a
lasting basis. 1t is, or should be, clear to
every one who is not blinded by PARTISAN
| ship that as the several parties now stand
in relation to the spirit of the purpose of
the nation, the duty of accomplishing
proper tariff legislation, and bimetaIlic
currency devolves upon the Republican
party. 1t has the experience, the wisdom
and the desire to so adjust these two great
questions that the greatest possible good
may accrue to all the people, while on
the other hand, the Bryan party lacks ex-
perience and wisdom; besides it is COM
mitted to settle all public questions upon
sectional lines. As matter of business,
therefore, the people should lose sight OF
politics and commit the work of putting
the country upon sure commercial and
financial foundation to such true and tried
hands as Mr.. Mckinley and his coworkers
| for the good of America