Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-10-29
Twenty-Threc Propositions.

Twenty-Threc Propositions.
Hon. Stilson Hutchins, one of the
most distinguished newspaper men
in the country, made speech for
the Democratic ticket at Richmond,
Va, one night last week, in which
he said:
First, we will all admit that
times are hard; that all products are
lower in price than ever before, and
prices are still falling that while
wages are fairly high there is not
work enough to keep more than one
third of those who are willing to
work in steady employment; that
there is only one class whose condi-
ton is improving in this country at
this time-the class which controls
the capital of the country, which
holds the mortgages on the property
of the prOduCers-in other words,
the money-lending class; that there
is less money in the possession of
the labOring and middle classes than
ever known before within the recol-
lection of any man within the hear
ing Of my voice; that there ore no
signs of an immediate or speedy re-
lief; that moderately low tariff
does not furnish sufficient revenue to
pay the expenses of the National
Government, and that there is no
reasonable prospect that people who
will not buy under a low tariff will
buy more largely under a high tariff
which forces the prices of home
manufactures up; that there is a
steady increase in the fortunes of the
very rich, and steady decrease Of
the poor and middle classes; that it
requires from two to three times
more labor and commodities to pay
a debt than when that debt was con-
tracted; that these baleful condi-
tons have been more noticeable and
have viSibly increased in the last
twenty years, since we have been
legislating in the direction of gold
basis; that not one man of national
reputation can be named who did not
warn against sach course, and who
did not, when they warned against
1t, denounCe it; that while il is
claimed we are on gold basis there
is no gold whatever in circulation :;
that while it is claimed that an in
creased supply of silver would bring
disaster, we have no other currency
at present but silver that as popula-
ton increases more money is needed
to do the business of the country
that instead of an increase in the cir
culating currency in the last two
years, there has been decrease of
Sl60, 900, 900; that we have been run.
ming deeper in debt in order to paw
the interest on the debt already ex-
isting, that one great party suggests
as a remedy for these hard times a
higher tariff and confidence; that
under their policy we must either
raise much larger sum by taxation
or issue more bonds ; that the trusts,
while enriching their managers, are
expressing the poor.
Now, there are twenty-threep ropo-
sitions," said Mr.. Hutchins, call
stated in compact and close phrases.
stand here tonight to defy any
gentleman who differs from me to
dispute the truth of any Of these
propositions. Now, / tell you what
l would do if / were i'm an audience
and any speaker challenged the ruth
fulness of his statements. would
either leave the hall, would get up
and dispute them, or l would vote
the ticket that i myself propose to
vote"
MIR. Hutchins then went on to saw
that after reading the speeches in
both houses of Congress, which were
at the time of the decentralization of
silver, if he was to sit on Jury to
try the men who had plotted against
the interest Of the country, he would
vote to send them to the penitentiary.
" The Legislation which demonetized
silver" he said, twas purchased, if.
ever legislation was purchased in
this world" The speaker declared
that two years ago he was a gold
man; but had studied the question
with his prejudices against the con-
cIusion which he finally reached, and
that now he was a silver man be-
cause he believed it to be Just, and
was for the benefit Of every portion
of the country.
niSnlny ha No