The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-11
Let the Peoples Money Alone !

Secretary GAGE said to Dur Washington
correspondent, after a Cabinet meeting on
Friday, that a Message from the President
on I. currency reform" twill probably be
sent in on Monday" Lucky it is for Presi-
dent MCKINLEY that, in the opinion Of his
lnjudicious Secretary of the Treasury, 1t is
only probable that he will commit that
blunder, SO full of danger for this Admins
tration and the Republican party.
A Washington despatch in the Tribune
Of yesterday says that "unless there is
another change in the plans of the Presi-
dent, he will send a Message to Congress
next Monday" "The President and Cabi-
net are still of the opinion" continues the
despatch, "that in order to redeem the
party promises the subject Of currency re-
form should be treated in q Message recon-
mending the creation of o non-partisan
commission" ~
When did the Republican party make
Rnyasuch promisesH Where are they7 The
plank relating to the currency In the Re-
publican platform, upon which Mr.. Nc
KINLEY was elected SO t~riumphantly, was
to this effect:
"Ths Republican party IL unreservedly for sound
money. 1t caused the enactment Of the law provid-
ing for the resumption of specie payments In 1870.
Since then every dollar has been as good
g gold. We are unalterably opposed to every
measure calculated TO debase our currency or
impair tho credit OF our country. We are there
fore opposed to the free coinage of silver. except by
International agreement with the leading commercial
nations of the world. which wo pledge ourselves to
promote; and until such agreement can be obtained,
tho existing gold standard must be preserved. All
eur silver and paper currency must he maintained AT
parity with gold, and VIC favor all measures designed
% maintain inviolably the obligations Of the United
States and all our money. whether coin or paper. at
che present standard. the standard OF the most en-.
frightened nations Of the earth"
There Is in that no promise, no sugges
tion of currency reform" and the crea.
tion of q non-partisan commission" The
promises are simply to preserve the exist.
ing gold standard; to oppose the free coin
age Of silver except by international agree
meAt; to promote such agreement, and tc
keep all our silver and paper currency at q
parity with gold, and to favor all measures
to that end.
The only issue between the Republicans
and the Chicago Democrats in the
campaign of last year, so far a,
the currency was concerned, was the
hpo poihhBe VI 5iiNcr az tue rhUlO OF 10 10 4
BY MIR. MoKINLEY's election that PROPOSE
tion was defeated, and the Republican party
has fulfilled its pledge by refusing to au
thorize such coinage and keeping the exist
ing gold standard undisturbed, It's pledg,
to promote an international agreement I.
bring about silver coinage has been fulfilled
by the appointment of q commission for tn,
purpose, which is now in Europe honestl,
and theoretically striving to accomplish 1t
Now, however, pertinacious advisers o
President MCKINLEY are urging him TO cal
upon Congress to authorize the appoint
ment OF a Currency Commission, an entirel,
new departure, not suggested In the plat
form OF which he was elected, an,
inconsistent with It. What justiaca
ton Is there for the appointment o
such q Currency Commission when
Currency Commission appointed under tn
absolute pledge of the platform Is alread
nj work to bring about an international b
metallic agreement, and the pledge require
that ''until u agreement can be obtaine,
the. existing gold standard must be pre-
eerved"T theoretically. therefore. the vi
b~srstandiRG is that currency reform