The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1896-08-28

creased use of silver can be obtained
than that OF monometalism.
/ do not agree with your so-callec
silver men, that the free coinage O
silver is the paramount issue. l be
lieve that the paramount issue in this
nation is, and always has been, the
maintenance of our national govern.
ment, the enforcement of its laws anc
a wise administration of its business
affairs. / think when the representa-
tive of agreat political party, like thai
which convened in Chicago and nom
mated Mr.. Bryan, condemn the presi
dent of the United States, he being 6
member of their own party, for sup
pressing the Chicago riots, in Chicago
when they condemn the highest Judi
cial tribunal for rendering decisions
not in conformity with their peculiar
ideas OF political economy, it is time
tor all thoughtful, loyal men to seve,
their relations with that party.
An insult to the stars and stripes
would not be tolerated today by the
humblest plowboy that guides his pillow
through American soil, and an insul,
to that flag may be as directly offered
by impeaching the integrity of the
president and supreme court as by fir
ing upon it in some foreign port.
| When the governor of a state, like
tho state Of Illinois, fails or refuses to
uphold the laws, it is the undoubted
duty of the president to interpose and
protect the lives and property of the
citizens of that state, and see to it
that the mails are not interrupted.
When the officers whose duty it is to
enforce the laws of county or state
fail in the performance of that duty,
should not the governor then exercise
his right? And what better right has
he in county of his state than the
president in one of the states of the
nation?
Then, who shall persume to say to
me, because will not unite with such
an aggregation of individuals in up
holding their vagaries by supporting
Mr.. Bryan, that 1 am not in favor OF
free coinage? I refuse to be weighed
in the balance with such people.
The so-called "crime," demonetiza-
ton OF silver, was enacted by repub-
lican congress in 1873. What was the
condition then of your-now state-of
| Washington? You and I know that
it was vast expanse of prairie, noun
tain and forest, and sparsely settled.
In all of its vast domain there was
not one town worthy to be called a
city; there was not mile of railroad
except tramway at the Cascades, and
perhaps the narrow guage of DR..
Baker between Wallula and Walla
Walla-and / am not certain that
even that was constructed at that time.
Look again at your beautiful state
as it was four years ago when we were
entering upon the presidential cam
paign which resulted in the election
of Grover Cleveland. What a change
had taken place! Inquire what a
magician's wand had touched and ami
mated your beautiful country, and ask
yourself, if you will how it was posi-
BILE that so much could have been ac-
complished during time when silver
was refused admission to the mints.
BY what process have the vast prairies
been settled and turned into cultivated
grain fields? By what species of en-
couragement have cities sprung up
like magic? How has capital been
obtained to build such magnificent
lines of railway?
Upon inquiry you will find that the
republican party, which your columns
now so severely condemn, is deserving
of the credit for this progress. Through
their legislation, granting lands to the
landless, tens of thousands of happy,
prosperous families occupy what in
| 1873 was a wilderness. The protec-
ton of republican legislation by fost-
ering the lead mines, the coal mines,
the lumber industry, the hop industry
the hop industry, the wool industry,
and every other industry of your state
made it possible for such unprecedent-
ed development.
In 1878 not one brick of the now
beautiful city of Spokane had been
laid. Where your court house stands
today the yelping of the coyote might
be heard almost any night in the year
Yet, in the less than twenty years
which intervened between the demonet
ization of silver and Cleveland's cleo
ton, your city attained its magnifcen'
proportions, although fire with it,
bosom of destruction had once SWEEP
it into nothingnees.
In the fall of 1892, at the tine tt
which refer, not only the property in
your city, but all over the state, was
held at high values; the farmer who
desired to change his place Of residence
could find ready buyer for his prop,
erty at reasonable prices; the resident
of your city who wished to remove
could dispose of his property. But
November, 1892, arrived. The news
| was flashed from one part of the con-
tinent to the other that the democratic
party had triumphed that Grover
| cleveland was elected. With bated
breath, thoughtful men and women in
eyerv state of the union began to talk
of the probable consequences. Values
of all classes OF property at once began
70 decline, until now, after little over
three years of democratic admlnlstra-
ton. real estate in your city and every
where in your state, will not average
over one-half the price it was when
Cleveland was elected. Is it because
the silver mines, or the mines IN the
vicinity of your state, especially your
CITY. are less prosperous? The contrary
is the case, as you well know: Have
NC loes silver in circulation, or have we