The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-07-31
TO INVESTIGATE.
A Plan Whereby the Silver Question
May Be Thoroughly Studied

WASHINGTON, D. c., July 81, '96.
EDITOR FREE Press
In view of the action taken by the
business men in the Middle States,
notably in Chicago and Pennsylvania
l suggest the desirability of a similar
course in Mankato and Minnesota. If
such plan has not already been agi-
tated, and l have seen no mention of
it thus far, it strikes me that of all
places, the home of the now famous
sound money champion, Hon. j. t.
McCleary, would be a most fitting
place for the inception of a movement,
having for its purpose the organiza-
tion of business men, regardless Of
previous party affiliation, into associa-
tiOns for an active participation in
coming campaign for the purpose of
defending the country from the i'm
minent peril of disastrous financial
policy, To my mind these clubs
should have for their object:
1St That the business man desires
that condition or financial policy that
shall, with the most certain develop
ment result in return to prosperity
I'd. That said organizations shall
take evidence on both sides of the fl
nancial question during August and
September, holding meetings as fire.
quently as possible during that time
for the purpose of securing and intel
ligently weighing the fact so collect
ed. This will leave two months for
study and one month for fighting on
the side of right
The purpose of this plan is self-evi-
dent. To accomplish the greatest
amount of good, in my humble judg-
ment, business mems organizations
should not start out prejudiced, as
this will have tendency to shut out
from their councils, those earnest cit
liens whose inclinations might differ
from the avowed principles of the or
CARNATIONS, were it previously COM
mitted to either side. But rather, all
citizens who can agree to the first
proposition, leaving the question of
conviction as to method to grow out
subsequent research and discussion,
should get together and 60 over the
ground carefully, with single patri-
otto purpose in view. This will leave
the organization in judicial frame
of mind, and bring it face to face
with facts, stripped of the confusing
pyrotechnies of partisan tom toms.
think any cool and minded
citizen is ready to concede two points
ia this controversy, viz:
First: That the trancendant impor-
lance of the issue demands that every
citizen who votes should do so in the
full possession of reason with the log
ical effect of his ballot in plain view
Second. That the free silver people
are the plaintiffs and are now in court
before the people, the jury. Their
charge is fearful one in it's import,
and is either true or treason.
The burden of proof rests with the
plaintiffs making the charge, and
they should be held to strict &C
countability. They are bound not
only to prove that their charges are
true, but to demonstrate that the
practical application of their theory
will produce an improvement over
that system which they condo mn, and
ask the people to repudiate. These
two points Eshould form the basis of
every true Americans investigation.
The logic Of the campaign, naturally
makes the Republican party the de-
PENDANTS in the action because it is
an alleged criminal action in which
it is is charged that the party of Lin
coin, Grant and Blaine has commit
ted crime, and the spirit of the
American constitution gives the de-
PENDANT in such actions the benefit
of the doubt. The most ignorant ju-
ror that ever sat in court knows that
inf1ammatory oratory is not proof,
that innocence is presumed until
guilt is proven. This is case where
every voter is juror, and the case in
court involves the happiness of every
man, woman and child in the coun-
try, not only for the next four years,
but probably for centuries.
Can there be any doubt about the
proposition that citizens should or
ganize themselves into clubs to look
into the question involved before
plunging headlong into frightful
error? j. e. III.
NO COON THERE.