Middletown transcript., 1896-10-03
SOUTHERN SHOPS
FOR GOLD.
Startling Predictions as to
the Consequences of
Free Silver.
VIEWS FROM THE SOUTH
Free Silver a Menace to Busi-
ness, and Should It Win We
Would Have the Worst
Panic Ever Known.

Panic Ever Known.
The Manufacturers Record Of Balti.
more, a high class publication devoted to
| the industrial conditions of the south. re-
Gently sent to several hundred southern
manufacturers q letter containing two
queries:
First.-What in your opinion would be
the effect upon business If the gold and
protection ticket would wins
Second. What in your opinion would be
the effect upon business If the silyer-free
trade ticket would win?
The Manufacturers Record states that
the replies received to the foregoing quer-
les were startling in the dire forebodings
Of large majority of overwhelming dis
aster should free silver win." Out Of 151
replies, 1874 were unqualifledly against free
silver and regard 1t as q menace to all
business interests, 10 were in favor of sill
yer, and 10 were noncommittal. Running
through many of these letters was the idea
that "should free silver win we would
have the worst panic ever known.
The Manufacturers Record continues:
"These are not tho views of theorists; they
are not the predictions of men who can
foolishly be charged with trying to create
panic; they are not the statements of
Wall street nor of professional politicians
On the contrary, they are the sober fears
of hundreds of the foremost manufactur-
ers of the south, the men who have been
leading that section toward activity and
prosperity; Of men who have been furnish
ing employment for tens of thousands of
laborers; of men who in most cases are
going to change their lifelong political as
sociations in order to vote against what
they believe would be great calamity.
The Manufacturers Record begs the peo-
pie of the south to study these letters, to
study their meaning and to realize how
the business men of this section regard
free silver"
The business firms responding against
free silver were divided among the differ
ent states as follows: West Virginia. 81;
Georgia, II; North Carolina, IA; Virginia,
IA; Tennessee, 8; louisiana 2; Mississip-
pi, 6; South Carolina. Z; Alabama, II;
Texas, 2; Maryland, 2; Kentucky, 8; Ar
kansas, Q, and Florida, 1.
Following are sonle Of the replies:
Charlotte Cotton mills, Charlotte, N.
c.: "The success Of tho Mckinley ticket
would lend to IN early revival Of business.
If Bryan should be elected, there would
ensue such panic as this country has nev
er seen, with disaster to all kinds Of bust
ness"
From the Coal Mines, West Virginia.
]. W. GrahaI,, Central City, W. Va:
" "First-With sound money and protective
tariff, factories will start up, capital will
seek investment, business generally will
be good. Second-Free trade means to con-
tinue business as it now is and drive man
ufacturers to the wall. Free silver means
one of the greatest panics ever known.
From Kentucky Rolling Mill.
Newport Rolling Mill company, New
port, KY: "First-If gold and protection
ticket should win, business in every line
would boom at once with such boom as
our country has seldom seen. Second
Should silver and tree trade tickot win, the
result would be most disastrous"
A Voice From the West Virginia Salt In
dustry.
Hope Salt and Coal company. Mason.
". Va: "First-We ;l'o of the opinion that
business would bcEin to revive ut once aft
er Nov. 8, election day. s,econd-We think
1t would be one of the most disastrous oc-
currenccs that could possibly befall this
country. God forbid its so"er taking place"
Tennessee's Foundry and Pipe Works Speak.
Chattanooga Foundry and Pipe works,
Chattanooga: "Eirst-0dr opinion Is that
with the success cf the g3il and protection
ticket, Immediately confidence would he
restored, business wolli revive, and we
would have the gooI times we enjoyed
prior to 1892. Secoi.tl-The same depressed
state of affairs that Low exists, with no
hope for immediate future. :"
Alabama Says, "lIore Confidence"
T. P. Randle, Rock Mills, Ala: First
Good. Second-Disast1ous The people
need markets and employment. Not more |
money, but moro confidence and security"
from the "Debtor Class" In Tennessee.
Herman Justi, Nashville: "First-Busi- |
ness would steadily improve. Second
business would at once get worse, and fail |
ures would occur in increasing numbers
every day. These are my honest views,
andI should add I have been a lifelong
Democrat and belong to the debtor class. )"
Always Democrats, but Against Bryan.
Guild & White, Chattanooga: "We are |
Tor gold standard and tariff for revenue |
only. We will not support Bryan, as we |
think his principles menace to the coun- |
ny. We have always been Democrats. If |
dlver should win, we think the class who /
SEEM disposed to elect him would be most |
injured. If gold wins, we think the coun-
~ would return at once to prosperity"
Right to the Point From South Carolina.
Pacolet Manufacturing company, Spar
;anburg, 8. c.: "First-Business would
'evive. Second-Panio and less business.
'outh Carolina Says, sNIeans Unparalleled
Prosperity"
Union Cotton mills, Union, s. c.:
'First-The success of gold and protection
means unparalleled business prosperity
md renewal of confidence Second-Should |
liver and free trade win, the outlook Is
90 dark to venture an opinion"
An Opinion From Maryland.
Laurel company, cotton manufacturers,
Baltimore: " First-Great prosperity would
xtend over the whole country. Second
Panic, bankruptcy and general ruin to
redit, honor and business"
'irginia For Protection and Sound Cur
rency.
J. L. Roper Lumber company, Norfolk:
We are ready to go upon record as prophe.
ying much better times, provided gold
nd protection are upheld in next Noven-
er's election. A proper tariff and sound
urrency Is what we sorely need to be as
ured Of. 4"
Free Silver Means Ruin, Says Arkansas.
Fort Smith Lumber company, Fort
mith, Ark: HFirst-Businessw will revive
nd prosperity return with the election of
7illiam Mckinley. Second-Free silver
nd free trade means ruin to the manu-
3cfurera Of the I1nitssd Skatoa y