Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1896-08-20
A Chicago Working Mans Letter.
CHICAGO, Aug. 10.

l take pleasure In giving an account
of the silver sentiment as l can see il
In Chicago, the interest the labor ele-
ment on taking In the vital question
now before people, question that no
issue since the rebellion has so stirred
the masses. Mckinley would easily
have been the next president had the
Republican party taken stand for
silver or straddled the question. On
the latte belief, his record in con-
gress would have satisfied most of the
silver Republicans who were his most
enthusiastic shouters, when he was
seeking the nomination.; but the
money power in that stealthy way,
that characterized them in thespast
TO gain their ends, got control Of the
st. Louis convention and placed a
subterfuge in the platform, declaring
the United States must have gold
basis until silver coinage by inter
national agreement can be reached.
There is tlnge of patriotism that
Is irresistible to the average Ameri-
can, about the white metal, because
it is found in larger quantities, in the
mountains, of their country, than in
any other land in the world, use Amer
lean precious metal for American
money. Why not use it9 Why keep
1t debased in the interest Of the
money lenders, Of Europe and Wall
street?
Silver has not a single newspaper to
uphold It's cause, in this city, but
still Bryan has occupied nearly all
their space, in glowing accounts of his
triumphant progress through the
states.
To illustrate the methods, capital
lists are resorting to, will cite this.
Not long ago reduction was made, In
wages, in a packing house, in Ham,
mond, of 10 per cent, saying financial
agitation was the cause, and If gold
won the old scale would be restored.
This is only one Of the modes Of
coaxing employees and they under
stand IL.
Nearly all OF the Republicans in a
large hotel, supported by working
people, have gone over to Bryan, con-
tending that party is of no considera-
tion, silver is the chief issue, tariff
secondary.
While Bryan was in Chicago Satur
day, the Sth, 1t was plain TO be seen
from whom he received his ovation.
II was In the greater part from work.
men. The Inter Ocean said next day
that no less than 10000 people were
on hand to greet him in front OF the
Clifton hotel, and that too, on one OF
the hottest nights experienced in
many years. 1t was popular demon
stration and no gathering OF party,
but all that believe in the cause of
bimetallism. One thing marked, was
the absence Of most of the rich Demo-
cratic leaders.
After Bryan had delivered his con-
gratulatory speech to the mass, from
the balcony, and most Of the people
had dispersed, few remained hoping
to shake hands with the nominee,
some did while a greater number were
unable, as he was worn out.
During this portion of the time a
little incident came to the notice OF
your correspondent. A gold man and
a silver man got into an argument
and as usual a knot of interested list
ners grouped around them. The police
officer in command observed them,
giving the order, "disperse those
stump speakers, they are blockading
the street." The police did as they
were ordered. The crowd went peac-
ably. There was no trafic at that
time and seemed uncalled for. One
enthusiastic silver man took excep-
tions and remarked, talk OF this be-
ing a free country, it is not this is a
Republican city administration, and
they are working for Mckinley and
the gold bugs" H.
Mr. Bryan at Salem.