The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-10-16
EX-GOVERNOR w. w. THAYER.
The Chicago Platform an Expression
of

EX-GOVERNOR w. w. THAYER.
The Chicago Platform an Expression
of Anarchy
Ex-Governor Thayer had the following
to say:
Il cannot support the candidates for
president and vice-president nominated at
the late democratic convention, held at Chi
cago. Mr. Bryan and Mr.. Sewall They
may be worthy men for the respective po-
sitions for which they are candidates, so
far as personal integrity of character is
concerned Very probably they are; but
am satisfied that their election under the
circumstances and conditions of the coun-
try at this time. would be highly disastrous
TO its peace and welfare. 1 have long been
convinced that the most serious danger
which threatens the stability of our institu-
lions and the perpetuity Of our gov
eminent is not from any encroachment
liable to be made by the government upon
the rights of the people: that the latter
would be perfectly secure without a Magma
Charta even, but that If IS from a revolu-
uonary and anarchistic spirit which ap-
pears to pervade the community to an
alarming extent And it seems TO me that
the course Of conduct pursued by the ma
Iorlty OF members OF the Chicago conven-
ton was designed and intended to encour-
age that spirit They indicated a purpose
and determination 10 enforce a civil and
financial policy of government TO suit
their own whims. without care or consid-
Grafton for the opinions of our wisest
statesmen and a large body of our most
highly-respected and conservative citizens
Their attitude towards every one opposed
TO their vagaries exhibits vicious tenn
per, and the scheme they propose to carry
out is one fraught with mischief
THE president of the United States
whom. four years ago, they ardently sup
ported. is now. according to their view, too
>ontemptible to be treated with respect. and
the head and front of his offending seems
10 have been that he has attempted to en-
force the law and maintain public credit
The supreme court of the United States
composed Of members whose learning, abil-
ity and high character for integrity. the
American people ought to be proud Of they
propose to reorganize in such a manner that
it viii carry out their wild theories and
caprices. And their whole aim evidently is
10 incite antagonism between the different
sections Of the country and classes OF its
inhabitants.
In the name Of heaven, have we not
already suffered enough from sectional ami
mosities? II seems to me that the Ameri-
can citizen who cannot see that the course
of the majority OF the members of that con-
Tention, and which they and their adherents
archy, is certainly blind. Its whole ten
dency Is in that direction And who is to
be benefited by its consequences? No one
but the reckless adventurer, who has
everything TO gain and nothing to lose 1t
certainly viii not be the man who by thrift
has accumulated a little property to sup
port himself and family in his declining
years. and Is called upon 10 divide it up
with idle and unthrifty persons.
But, say some, we have hard times upon
US and must have relief, and the only
relief to be obtained Is the adoption of the
free coinage Of silver. A resort to the
free coinage OF silver might be necessary
under some conditions or circumstances. Ii
probably would be If the volume of gold
together with the silver now in use as
money and being maintained at parity
with gold, were inadequate to transact the
commercial affairs of the world; but to
adopt the free coinage of silver at this
time, instead of proving a relief, would
postpone the return of good times for
years
There is no such scarcity OF gold. The
volume has not only been kept I'D, but
has increased, and is now being added TO
by an output Of over SOD. 600 900 annually.
It Is not in circulation as freely as we
might desire. perhaps, and VIII not be un-
til its possessors are assured that they can
invest IL with reasonable prospects of get
ting 1t back again, or its equivalent No
prudent man viii invest his accumula tons
in times of civil dissension or threatened
changes OF the existing system in none
tary affairs. He win sooner wait and see
what the new system brings forth. And
If the free coinage of silver at the ratio
Of 16 to / were adopted today, and an
amount issued sufficient to transact bust
ness, who would be benefited thereby? 1t
certainly would not be those who are in
debt, as their obligations as a general rule
are payable In gold, and they would be
compelled to purchase gold with which to
discharge them Who would that benefit
but the tgold-bugs'? They would be in a
condition to exact such amount Of ex-
change as their conscienceS would permit,
and the unfortunate debtor who Is strug-
Cling along to get out Of debt would be
further burdened by this new feature
which would arise
'sThe free-coinage silver policy cannot.
however, possibly be carried out for years
to come if Mr.. Bryan were to be elected
A law would have to be enacted suthoriZ-
ing it, and it would require long time to
coin sufficient amount 10 answer business
requirements. In the meantime, gold would
be boarded more securely than now, and
the community be destitute of money en-
tireiy. The adoption of free coinage Of sil-
yer at this time would, as / view tbs
matter, be SUICIDAL Al 1eaSL, J. mink II
better ito endure the Ills we have than ny
to others we know not Of
Nor 40 I believe it prudent to resort 70
any legislative scheme TO improve the
times Financial matters, if left alone,
viii adjust themselves. much better than
can be accomplished by legislative tinker
| ing. Good times are only secured by the
active circulation Of money. and legislative
enactment cannot accomplish that The
depression In the money market for the
last two months is due largely 10 the dis
trust occasioned by the action and conduci
of the Chicago convention and its support
ers since Hundreds of thousands OF dol
lars now idle would have been invested
and in circulation in our community were
it not for the pernicious influence which
that performance melted And should the
Vaccinations there set on foot succeed
the prosperity and progress of the United
States would go backward for at least q
decade 1t is not pleasant or agreeable
| TO refuse TO support candidates selected by
ones party convention but we have NJ
right to sink our patriotism and loyalty Il
our government in our partisanship-"
JUDGE z. C. BRONAUGH.
n UFfII Vote for Mckinley Recauxs