Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-09-02

ricultural world. Not only have thousands
of acres of western lands in America been
thrown open to cultivation within recent
years, but In Russia, India and the Ar
gentine Republic railroads and enterprise
have brought large additional acreage I'M
ger Ger cultivation and poured millions of ad-
ditional bushels upon the markets of the
world. The same cheapening In the cost
of boots and shoes, of hats and coats and
other clothing. which has followed ex-
ceSsfve production in the manufacture of
those articles has been manifest in the
excessive production Of agricultural prod
ucts. 1t is the old familiar law of supply
and demand. In my state of New York
hay is selling at S15 per ton; last year it
was $40 per ton-do our silver friends at
tribute that to the decentralization of sill
yer? They ought to- II they wish to be
consistent Silver dollars in the pockets of
the mine owners are of no benefit to west
ern farmers-what they want is prosperous
conditions which will put silver dollars in
their own pockets-dof1ars which, when
taken out, will buy just as much as gold
dollars.
Silver and Wage Earners.
"A silver standard would work particular
injury to wageearners. The rich and we'll
TODD can usually take care of themselves
But the man who has a vital interest in
every days wages, whose family depends
upon those wages for its bread and meat
last to feel any possible benefit from an in
hatiCn of the currency. Not only would he
for one year, or perhaps two years, feel
the effect of the prostra ton of industry and
business which would at least be the first
result of charge to the silver standard
out when that wore away, as IL probably
would in the course of time, and the full
effects of an initiation of the currency under
unlimited silver coinage began to be mani
rested, he would find the prices of food, of
clothing, Of rents raising, but his wages
would remain stationary, for it is eco
nomic fact that in era of rising prices
wages are the last to feel the influence So
long as steady work is assured, the laborer
Is much better off under the condition of
falling prices such we have had for
many years, as the cost of production Of
commodities has been decreased by new in
ventons and improved methods of manu-
facture, for the necessities of life and even
It's luXuries have become cheaper while by
reason of various influences wages have
risen. In 1870 the average wages paid to
laborers was $500 per year. In 1880 these
had increased to $3.50. more than 80 per
cent. While during the same period the
prices OF commodities had fallen, the sill
verites tell u.s. from % to 40 per cent. In
der :he operation of the gold standard
therefore. no matter what its injuries may
nave been to other classes of citizens, the
laborer Is at least 20 per cent better off
than he was in 1870. Does he wish to re-
verse this condition and face lower wages
L
facts have only to be presented to the at
tention of the workingmen to convince
them that any grievances which they may
be persuaded they have, cannot be cured
by the humbug remedies prescribed by Dr.
Bryan.
The Broad Shield of PntrfOtfsm.
There are some classes Of employees VINO
would be especially affected by silver
standard. l refer particularly to the
w bair
steam and surface railroads Most of the
money invested in these enterprises is rep
resented in bonds whose principal and in
terest are payable in gold. The annual
payments required by these 'obligtions of
Indebtedness are hundreds of millions of
collars IL gold goes to a premium the
holders of these bonds insist that their
terms shall be fulfilled and the interest be
payable in gold: it means that the railroads
have got to raise that amount of gold or
the mortgages will be foreclosed and the
properties sold. Every railroad employe
knows what that means-a cutting down
OF expenses, discrganiZation, uncertain en-
ployment. If the companies have to pay a
hundred cents premium on gold to satisfy
thelr interest demands it means doubling
their liked charges, and this in the case of
nine railroads out of ten means bankruptcy.
They cannot increase their rate of fares
for that the legislatures will not permit
Ihey cannot exact payment of fares in
Soiu therefore they must repudiate their
oblgationS or cut down wages: they GER
!alnly cannot Increase wages. Whichever
norm OF the dilemma they choose, therefore
"a reputation of obligation or reduction
OF wageS-the employe is no gamer; for
even were there no reduction of wages un-
der the free coinage of fty-cent dollars he
ought TO receive twice as much wages as ne
dld before in order TO put him on an equal
ity with previous conditions. The purchas-
ing power of his wages, if the rate remains
the same, would be cut down one-half
Against such threa tened calamities We
nave met as democrats and as patriots to
protest. Our purpose is too serious to per
init DIN erences on minor matters or perso-
nal JealouSleS to divide our councils or
weaken our influence. We have come here
as democrats TO exert such influence as we
may have among democrats for the good of
our country and the preservation of our
party organization for other periods of use
fulneSS. Renouncing as undemocratic the
work OF the party organization at Chicago
let US De true TO every democratic instinct
at Indianapolis. Let no man say that in
this convention any false note of democ-
racy Was sounded. We stand for all that
should inspire good citiZenShip-for honest
money enforcement of law and order re-
speCt for authority, the preservation of the
national credit. the just payment of debts
the dignity and welfare of labor, the pros
perlty and fair name of America United
IN such cause, We go forward with
the American flag as our banner and the
words National Democrats inscribed on
us 1olds. We know no sectional issue or
interest We stand behind the broad shield
of patriotism, and in that sign we shall