The Portland daily press., 1896-09-22
The Standard
To the Editor of the Press:

10 ute EultOT o. tne fTeSS:
1t seems unfortunate that the money
question, as now presented before the
country, should enter into party poll.
tics, and become in fact the main issue
on which hinges the result OF the presi
DENTAL question. But for this, the Chicago
convention and candidates are RESPONSE
BILE, and that issue with all it's hazards
must be met, and the people pass upon
it according to the best information
attainable on the subject That men
may honestly differ in opinion goes with
ouu saying, for exports in monetary
science the worli over have done 90, and
still do. The aim should be, to fol.
low men or parties only 30 far as their
views commend themselves to popular
acceptance. Should mistake be made
now the misohievous results that will
follow will be inoalculable, If not appal-
ling. This is conceded on both sides of
the controversy. 1t will be a mistake
also that will require long years to cor
rect, and all the more diff cult of correc-
ton because the subject has become SO
prominent an element in party politics.
In coming to Corset conclusion the
first question for consideration is what
under existing conditions is the proper
monetary standard? Should it be gold
or silver, or an attempt to maintain a
double Standard Before discussing
this question. it is pertinent to observe,
that the .Republioans at st. Louis ex-
pressed opposition to the free coinage of
silver except BY International agree
met with the leading commentators
tions of the world" but pledging them
selves to promote such international
agreement, but meantime to maintain
the existing gold standard. Thus it
will be perceived, the presroation of a
single gold standard was not the ulti-
mate object contemplated, but temper
airy expedient only. But it should also
be stated that this form of expression
and mode of disrosinR of the subject
was the result of a compromise, and, as
MI. Hanna stated, was not the Eastern,
but Western Republican view. The
question OF standard therefore, in the
event the Republicans prevail, Is to re-
main An open one, with pledge to
depart from the theory of single gold
standard as soon as bimetallic stand
ard can be attained by International
agreement.
The Chicago platform declared
uBdlust SOtu ulOnOmeGal1Sf0, and in favor
Of free and unlimited coinage of both
silver and gold at the ratio of 16 to in
dependent of the cooperation of other
nations, and demanded, THAT the stand
ard silver dollar shall be full legal
tender, equally with gold, for all debts.
public and private. !" In other words
the declaration was in favor of dou bic
standard, or bimetalism, although the
friends of a single gold standard believe
the effect of such free coinage of silver
will be monometalism Of silver instead of
gold.
Before discussing the fundamental
question which is the better standard.
1t should be added that nobody contem-
plates disuse OF silver coin for the pur-
poses of small business transactions.
that is, for making change, but the
friends of gold stan dard maintain that
silver should be subsidiary to gold, and
be measured by it,
This is believed to be fair statement
of the issue presented by the platforms,
and leads up to the main question to be
subsequen tly considered.
GEO. b. EMERY.