Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-27
HANNA ON BIMETALLIsM.
His Declaration VIII not Affect the
SituatiOn.
washington Post)

washington Post)
Mark Hanna's interview, uttered In
Boston, and published broadcast, was the
principal topic of conversation in political
circles yesterday. II was interesting he
cause MIR. Hanna came out squarely for
bimetalism, and because he stated very
frankly the conditions ehich are prevail
ing in the West. IN the course OF the
interview. for instance, Mr. Hanna said:
The fact is that the great majority OF
Republicans are bimetallists. our plat
form declares FOR bimetlllism by internal
tiOnal agreement.
Take the farmers Of the West. You
cannot find Il more intelligent class OF
people on the face OF the earth, ana they
are almost to a man. bimetallists. In
stead OF the Democrats getting ali the
credit in the West as the friends OF
silver we shall show the people there that
the Republican party. under proper s1ie-
guards and restraints, has no hostility
10 silver ,,
Chairman Babcock OF the Republican
committee said yesterday afternoon
when asked about this interview, that he
had not seen 1t. and even II ne rad ne
did not know that 1t was authorized.
Does not Mr.. Hanna commit The party
10 silver 10 an extent not hitherto recog-
nized?" was asked Nj Babcock.
Nothing that Mr.. Hanna can say or
Dlv can commit the party 10 anything.
IL has already placed on record its posi-
ton in IL. party platform. and there the
record must stand. The Republican party
is for the existing gold standard, but
il is also for bimetallism, Win an lnter-
National agreement. The trouble is con-
tinued Mr., Babcock, that the impression
Is sought TO be created that the RepuD-
lican party IS against the use OF SILVER
entirely. IL is nothing OF the klnd. IL
tn. saSFf.f
lions with the very largest and freest
use of silver consistent with Keeping the
silver dollar as good as the gold dollar.
Silver money circulates now on party
with gold. Ninety per cent. or the money
I'm vOur pOcket is silver money. / 90 not
see. therefore. how any capital can be
made out of Mr.. Hanna's interview. lie
believes. as we all believe, that Soiu
must be the money OF ultimate iepemp-
ton. Just as II Is now
The view of the Democratic leaders Is
very different. 81 never saw more sig
nidcant interview appear during a cam
paign." said Chairman Faulkner. MI
Hanna virtually admits now that unless
he can force some other issue TO the
front ne IS beaten on the currency issue
He recognizes what is the absolute truth
that the great masses of the people OF the
United States. In the west especially; are
bimetallists. He sees that they VIII nave
nothing 10 do with a single-gold standard
and ne proposes now, with the election
only ten weeks off, 10 swing around ana
trv TO undo the work Of the Republican
National Convention by claiming that
there IS no hostility in the Republican
platform to silver. He admits the Demo
cratic contention that bimetallism Is the
proper thing for this country, but l DO
not think that he can fool the people by
his profession OF friendliness at TINS late
dav. He would like to hoodwink the
farmers of the West but they know, as
every one knows, that the sixteen multi
millionaires who were his guests at the
Boston dinner want silver stricken down
TO the last ditch. and they viii have IL
so If they can only eject Mchlniey a.,
cor course. Mr.. Hanna's speech Will not
affect the Democratic plan Of campaign.
Not at all. Mr.. Bryan will go on talk
ing silver Just as he has been doing, and
Mr. Hanna's attempt 10 force Mr.. Bryan
TO talk tariff by conceding tnat our can
ddate is right on the currency question
will not succeed