The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-20

have it coined at the expense of the gov-
ernment. BY one party the argument was
made that free coinage would stimulate
silver mining and other industries In the
West, and that the abundance of money
thus put afioat would bring an era of busl-
ness revival and prosperity to the entire
country. The other called attention to the
inequality in the value of silver and gold,
and held that since the silver put into a
silver dollar was worth only about 80 cents,
free coinage would result in a debasement
and cheapening of the currency. 1t was
predicted that the cheap money would drive
gold from circulation, that we would soon
be on a silver basis and that unparalleled
disaster would follow.
LAS this administration neared its end,
the state OF opinion about the currency
made the issues of the coming contest APP
parent Sectionalism and the tariff We're
dead issues, but the question of free coin
age became vital. The Republicans met
early at St. Louis and adopted, not without
opposition, & platform condemning free
coinage and faVoring the continuation of
the gold standard. The Democrats met at
Chicago and adopted, with many opposing,
a platform in favor of free coinage. Both
parties declared as usual respecting the
tariff and other questions.
After telling of the nominations made by
both. the historian continues: The cam
paign was conducted in dignit1ed and hon
orable way. There was but one lssue-the
silver question. In imitation of Mr.. Harri-
sen, Mr.. Mckinley received and addressed
visiting delegations at his home at Canton.
Mr.. Bryan spent the entire time between
his nomination and election day in pOllt-
ical tour of the country, travelling by spe-
cial train and speaking at great meetings
many times daily.
1.-The result was the election of Mr.. Nc
Knley. This was probably caused by the
support of the sound-mOney Democrats,
who thus voted in opposition to their views
on the tariff in order to strengthen the
gold standard"
In referring to Major Mckinley, the book
says: 1T seems not a little strange that
his Views on the supreme question of the
campaign were unknown at the time OF
his nomination..
Another feature of the new history, and
one which Superintendent Stryker said
would no doubt receive criticism is the
is handled. Just thirteen pages are con-
sumed in telling of that conflict; This also
includes several illustrations. The commits
sion notified the book company that it did
not want much about the civil war. While
this most important event is handled IN
lands first administration during which
nothing of any Importance occurred, ten
pages.
In connection with this matter, the story
as to how the commission came to adopt
this book is Of interest. The story Is
vouchsafed by prominent Populist state
official When the textbook board was in
session, several firms submitted histories
for adoption. All of the publishers but one
recorded the tariff one of the principal
issues of the last campaign. The firm pub
fishing the Model history knew the failings
of Kansas Populists and simply declared in
bold-face type that the tariff was a dead
en- the money question solely. This struck
the Pop board in the right spot, and the
Model history was adopted almost unani-
mously.