The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-03

the building is rather open.
Both speakers warmed up after getting
started but IL was cold for their hearers.
A great many people came from the
ne!ehboring counties. All the rdllroaus
gave special rates. and some ran eXcur-
sion trans. on the stage were many OF
the best-known men in Georgia. Even
the mountain districts were represented
by a contingent in jeans and slouch hats.
The audience semed to be about evenly
divided. and il appauded both speakers
literally, though as the debate progressed
considerable rivalry in cheering sprung
up between the two factions.
This meeting was much livelier than the
first one.
AGAINST FREE COINAGE.
Mr.. Smith devoted his time to pre-
sentng arguments against frcecOinage of
silver. Mr. Crisp argued for a time in
favor Of free coinage, and then took up
his opponents record on finance. Mr..
Crisp kept the audience laughing during
a great part of his speech.
The entrance of the two gentlemen was
marked by loud demonstrations.
Secretary Smith had the opening argu-
ment. lie was greeted with stirring ap-
plause. In opening his speech Mr.. Smith
said that every one has direct interest
in the financial question. then he added:
II oppose the free and unlimited coinage
Of silver at the ratio of 10 to / for the
same reason given by Hon. Benz. II. Hill
in the United States Senate in 1871"
The Secretary went on to say that he
was opposed to free coinage at the pres
ent ratio because IT would produce silver
monometallism and lead to the most terri
BILE financial panic t@ world has ever
known. lie discussed the Gresham law
and declared that the free. unlimited. and
independent coinage Of the two metals
at 16 to l would drive out gold. Il am
opposed to free coinage because the DO
litical commercial ratio IS 81 TO T." Can
plause.)
When the gentlemen call themselves
Dimetalllsts they masquerade under a
coat TO which they are not entitled for
the bimetallism they propose would nro-
duce silver monometallism. We would
nave only one standard" the Secretary
reiterated.
HOW IGNORANT THEY ARE.
THAT is all we have now" remarked
a farmer in the audience
II will show you that you are mistaken
before | get through. IL is surprising
how ignorant these advocates of free
silver coinage are" retOrted Mr.. Smith.
The Secretary proceeded TO review The
coinage history of the United States.
The audience began TO take part in the
debate, and asked questions, which made
the discussion more interesting. The Sec
retary said that prior TO 1919 the Govern
ment coined only 100000 silver dollars
How much subsidiary coin?" some one
asked.
Quite large sum, but we did not
stop coming subsidiary money in 1873.
and We are still coming it,"
THAT Is about all that we have got"
commented an auditor.
In remodelling our currency, the Hrst
thing Is 10 say that our standard shall
not be changed. We should retire the
ereenbacks in one OF two ways-by Mr..
Carlsle's plan. which. If It had been
adopted, would have obviated the neces-
sity OF a bond issue, or we can use the
gold in the treasury 10 redeem the green
backs, and we could cancel .Eose in the
treasury. We can coin silver in the
treasury and pay or the Sherman notes.
We can give silver the right OF way
below SlO."
The Secretary also advocated State
banks very briefly.
The speaker pictured a ruinOus rs mic
in the event of the adoption of free.
unlimited, and independent coinage by
| this country. lie spoke of the e1ect Of
the free coinage on wages OF labor and
declared that 1t would cut wages half
| in two.
MR.. CRIsP'S TURN.
The appause for Mr.. Crisp when he
arose was prolonged. All over the house
! men stood up and waved their hats
| In the beginning he remarked: Il want
10 say of my Brother Smith that ne
makes as good an argument from his
| position as any man L have ever heard"
Jumping into the argument he said
| that standard money does not belong
| TO any country. 1t is the great volume or
| gold and silver in circulation in the
world. Up to 1873 we had a bimetallic
standard. Mr.. Carlisle said, and Mr..
Smith said it, too, that it was a physical
and metaphysical impossibillty 10 have
| a system OF bimetalllsm. Now Thomas
| Jefferson thought differently. Alexander
Hamilton also thought differently But
/ suppose those authorities are not 10 BE-
cited against these gentlemen. Silver
was demonetized because it was worth
more than gold. II was not cheap money
then. There was too much money IN the
| world then for those who loaned money
| They wanted TO cut down the amount OF
standard money, leaving only halt, ana
| that gold. and they owned the gold.
| The ex-Speaker quoted from speech
v,bich Mr. smith made In 1s9i. declaring
| tbat he believed single gold standard
IN he unwise and dangerous, and caIcu-
| lated TO contract the currency chech
Industry. and turn honest men out oil
| places. sort q, these
declarations. and put number OF ques
| lions TO the Secretary TO answer. among
others he asked: IF ii was not neces-
| 80, 10 have an international agreement
-. demonetlze silver, in 1873 why Is II
,,,oessarv TO have an international agree
| ment TO remonetiZe IL
UNLIMITED COINAGE.
Coming TO remedies, Mr.. Crisp declared
| -, his remedy was the free, unlinlteu'
I'd independent coinage OF goId ana si-
| yer at 16 to l. ,no cold
~oonle9 What is Mr.. Cleveland relhe'
..2onds." shouted men in the audience
w. honds. Mr.. Cleveland states
.,ndidlv where he stands. lie thinks
hat the single gold standard Is best ior
,i,is country. and says so. The RepuDii-
can marty has held the same view
In conclusion. Mr.. Crisp declared that
| the only remedy was 10 return to plmetai-
| lism.
IKINLEY FOR FREE SILVER.
Mr. smith had twenty minutes in clos
ING. lie said that Lamar and Ben. Hill
LEA the fight against free coinage In
Is77. and added that he received from
Washington tonight telegram calling
his attention to the fact tina, Mckinley,
a Republican candidate for the presi-
darcv voted for the free coinage or silver