Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-10
FOR SOUND MONEY.
Maryland Bankers Place Themselves
Squarely on Record.
SPEECH FROM JAMES II. EcxELs.
He Says silver Has Forever Passed
fiom the WorI2 OF Commerce n.
I" standard OF Value, and Cannos
BE Rcinstated.

BALTIMORE, ND, April a--The bank
ers OF Maryland to-day put themselves
squarely on record in favor OF sound
money. In a convention, with delegates
representing almost every bank OF anv
size In the state, the following resolu-
iion was adopted without a dlssentins
vote:
Resolved. That we are unalterabIy
opposed to the free coinage OF silver. and
10 every debasement OF our currency. in
whatsoever form IL may be presented:
that we firmly and honestly believe that
the true interests Of our country will be
best served by its rigid adherence 20 ths
gold standard OF value, the continuance
OF which VIII not only preserve its finan-
eial integrity and the future welfare Of
its citizens from the wage-earner to the
capitalist, but will insure, through the
prompt restoration Of confidence. that
rapid development OF its resources which
viii eventually place 1t first among tho
nations of the earth"
The utmost enthusiasm prevailed when
the vote was announced as being unanl-
mously IN favor OF adoption. The yene-
rable Enoch Pratt, the Oldest living bank
president in the United States. stepped
forward from his seat on the platform.
and after proposing three cheers and a
tiger, led In the enthusiastic demonstra-
ton. Approval was marked upon every
bank presidents or cashiers face as hs
vociferously cheered the decision.
Another feature OF the afternoon session
was the speech OF Hon. James H. Ecxels.
Comptroller OF the Currency, who made
one or tue strongest arguments ina favor
or sound money ever heard In banking
circles. His statement that Silver metal
has passed from the world OF commerce.
as a standard of value, and all laws
possible OF enactment I'm the world cam
not reinstate H." was Wildly appiauded.
MARYLAND BANKERS ASSN.
1t was the first convention u the Mary
land Bankers Association, organized TO
promote the general welfare and useful
ness OF banks and banking institutions.
The meeting was called 20 order by the
veteran banker, Mr.. ]. r. Smith. and
prayer was offered by the Rev. J. Hous-
ton Eccleston. ID. ID. After General Will
liam Mchcnney. OF the Centrevillo Ns-
tiOnal Bank. was elected temporary
chairman, and several addresses OF well
come had been made. Mr.. e. c. Homer,
president OF the Second National Bank,
and chairman OF the Committee on the
Baltimore Plan" for a National Cur
rency System, which was approved by
the American Bankers Association two
years ago. stepped on the platform and
preceded the Offering OF the foregoing
resolution with a short address.
The reading OF the resolution cut loose
a burst of enthusiasm. Before IL had sub
sided Mr.. Charles 4. Crane, cashier OF
the Farmers and Merchants National
Bank, sprang on the platform and began
a vigorous endorse ment OF the resolution.
He went beyond II. and recommended
that the bankers encourage such legisIa-
ton as would remove from the statuts
books the laws for the purchase by the
government OF a certain amount Of silver
each year
1t was intended that Comptroller Ecl<els
should address the convention before the
resolution was put to vote. but there
was such a crying demand for "Ques-
tion.'' that the chairman put II, and
with one voice the convention answered
aye"
Then It was that the Nestor of Baltl-
more banking circles, Mr.. Pratt. led the
cheer concluding with a tiger.