The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-10-29
Secretary Sherman Says the First Issue Is
the Endorsement of Mckinley.
NATIONAL QUESTIONS COME FOREMOST
Tho Secretary Regrets That Usure
Forbtds Him TO TRkc tho STUMP,
but 1t Does Not Prevent Kim from
Writing to tho Nowspnpcrs-Tnrir
and the silver Question.
Washington, Oct. %, 1897.

washington, OCt. ZS, 1877.
Secretary of State Sherman has writ
ten a letter to the editor of the Cincin-
natl Follksblat about the Importance of
the political contest now raging in Ohio,
In the course of which he says:
My chief regret is that cannot per-
sonally participate in the campaign,
as by n usage carefully observed from
the days of Jefferson to this time, the
Secretary OF State is precluded from
actively sharing in political discussion
other than on foreign affairs.
1 look upon the pending canvass In
Ohio as re-trial of the issues involved
in the election of 1896. State issues, If
any, do not seem 10 be the subject Of
debate. Naturally the first issue now
Is whether the administration of Will
liam Mckinley thus far is approved by
the people of Ohio. Upon this question
there ought not to be any difference of
opinion. His prompt calling together of
The Congress OF the United States 10
provide requisite revenue for the sup
port of the government and his recon-
feeble and indefensibie tariff law
known as the Wilson German law has
met with general approval. The reviva!
OIL all industries and the commencement
or prosperity. In all parts of the United
states was the natural and LcceSSarv
result of the action of the President
ana Republican Congress. IT il un-
fortunate that the beneficial provisions
OF the Dingley act cannot be in full OPP
S4eration for year or more owing to ex-
cessive importations under the Wilson
German act, but l confidently believe
that within year, under the present
law. the revenue of the government will
De ample 10 pay not only current cN-
pendiiureS, but n large sum yearly in
the reduction on the public debt: To Sc
cure this desirable result the Rcnubli-
can party must be sustained, not only
In ohio, bu; In the United States
Another question of public policy Of
equal Importance TO the tariff ~ what Is
Known as the free coinage Of silver
without regard to It's market value or
the action of the great commercial na-
lions of the world. Silver and gold
nave since the framing Of the conS;itu-
ton, been the standard coins of our
country-but the relative market value
of each has changed from time to time
I'hc coinage ratio of the dollar is one
ounce of gold Al the equivalent OF six
teen ounces of silver Within the mas.
twenty years the market price of silver
bullion has been reduced more than
half. so that ono ounce of gold ia now
cQunl In value 10 ~ ounces of silver
Notwithsta nd!ng this wide diversity of
the market value of the two metals
the United States and all the leading
commercial nations: Of the world have
maintained their silver coins without
any change. This was done. and could
only he done by limiting the use OF the
cheaper metal and coming only on gov
ernment account
1T Is now proposed as the cardinal
principle OF scattered parties that the
holder of any silver bullion without re-
gard to its market value. may present
II TO the mint and have II coined into
dollars and made a legal tender for all
debts, public ana private. At present
the silver In dollar Is worth about for
~ cents. 1t would seem that this bold
and transparent proposition and repu-
diation of moro than one half of all
debts, public and private. In the United
States would shock the public sentiment
or honest people, and secure It's prompt
rejection. But, strange as ii may seem
II IS defended by so many that we are
bound to consider their reasons before
we denounce it as n fraud
1T Is said that free coinage would
Dring up this price Of gsilvel. bullion TO
the rate of l6 to /. There is not the
slightest ground fer this opinion. Sill
Yer has gone down In price precisely as
IRON. fln, copper or. indeed, the price of
Oil THE METALS except gold. The devcI-
opmcnt In the process or mincpllngy has
kept pace with the cheapcning OF nearly
all the productions of skill known as
manufacturers. Even gold may decline
III rciatiVn value as tIh. result Of the
recenf development Of mines in seyc-
ran parts of the earth, but from its
superior value in the smallest space
and being less affected by corrosicn than
any other money metll. ii is now and
WIN continue TO be the standard Of value
In the chief nations of the world Sill
vel' will be largely used in all court rics
1or minor cnins-aRid if i;mIed in amourt
nEld redeemed at It's coinage value. or
made lcShl tender for limited sums, il
will be largely absorbed for minor trans
GcticnS-4but free coinage for all who de-
mandi 1T would at once make It the sole
coin In circulation. prevent the coina re
OF gold and place onr grdlt and power
fun country In financial operations
among tho minor and poorer nation of
the world. This is the issue that Will
largely control the vote of Ohio next
week.
ASIDE from this Important measure
the perfhc OF Ohio should bear in mind
thah one OF the most eminent citizens; of
the State Is now President of the Un!tcd
Stlates. He Is especially entitled 10 your
KIND and constdcrate favor and de-
serves praise for the careful selection
and appointment of officers or the United
States. There has been no abrupt haste