The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-14

lies at that point, absolutely nothing is
done unless that be done I'm substance.
and every thing possible is done when that
tax on currency issues is abandoned, we
care not by what name II IS called.
We may add also that Mr. II. II.
Hanna. OF Indlanapolis-not Mr.. Mark A.
uonna. OF Cleveland. O.--who has been
the prime mover in this whole business.
has shown himself and IS still showing
himself a most devoted and indefatigable
worker for success in the movement. MIR.
s. W. Travers, Of this city, who was q
delegate to the Indianapolis Convention,
has permitted us to publish the enclosed
letter to him from Mr.. Hanna. and. we
believe, he has written a similar one to
every member Of the convention. His
letter IS as follows:
indianapolis, oct. s. 1897.
Hon. $. yv. Travers Richmond, Va:
Dear ir.-Supplementing my letter Of
the 9th OF September l am pleased TO re-
port 10 YOU the successful oIeanization
OF our commission 10y thC election
OF the Hon. George i. Edmunds
as chairman, and the subdivision Of the
commission into three committees 70 deal
with the three important features OF the
subject In hand The members OF the
commission have already spent number
OF days in very general discussion and
interchange Of views. and have apparently
made a good beginning OF the great work
in their hands. The interests Of the sew
eral geographical divisions Of the coun-
try are more or less varied. ana 1t Is OF
vital importance that the commissioners
have the fullest and frcest expression
from all parts OF the country. in order
that their work may be as general as pos
sible To this end you are urged. so Tar
as lies IN your power. to create an inter
est in the subject among your business
people, farmers. and indeed, all Of the
people. in order that 1t may be fully
known that the commission IS a popular
one. and that the views Of all citizens
upon this very important subject viii
be cordially welcomed by the members
n the commission for study.
The writer begs that you will not only
endeavor to secure these suggestions for
the commission but that you will CO.
operate with the writer 10 the end that
the public mind may be favorably directed
towards the commission and its work. II
is of the utmost importance that tho COM
mission have the peoples respect for and
confidence in it's cool intention OF SER
vice for the general good. and TO this end
every member Of the convention should
leave nothing undone that is fair ana
proper 20 enlist the sympathy and CO.
operation Of the public Please use every
influence for proper promotion Of the COM
missions work. and lot the writer hear
from you often as to what you are doing.
with kindest regards personally
Very truly yours,
IT, IT, HANNA. Chairman.
This letter exhibits a most praiseworthy
zeal in Mr.. Hanna, and we learn from
other sources Of information that his
efforts have been unremittne. II would
be safe to wager, however, that II it were
proposed to Mr.. Hanna 70 repeal the tax
upon the issues Of state banks and per-
nit them TO issue such currency as their
state Legislatures provided for, he would
turn from the proposition with honor,
and yet absolutely nothing can be done
until this is done in effect.
We have repeatedly referred 70 Thomas
Carlyles declaration about the unwlsdom
of the people Of England. without paus-
ing here to show the relation Of the re-
mark TO the subject on hand. we desire to
say that we think 1t would be well if the
advocates of a sound currency system
never said anything more about state
banks. There are millions of men in the
United states who have prejudices against
the state banks, and Tom Carlyle's judg-
ment Of the English should warn all
against discussion Of that subject with
these preiuj'ced men. But the provorb
says there are more ways Of killing a dog
than by choking him to death with butter.
Let the Washington commission say
nothing about the repeal Of the tax upon
the issues of state banks. but let it pro-
vide the simplest method Of taking out
bank charter under the act of Congress,
allow banks Of the smallest size desired
in any locality, allow all banks to have
as many branches as they want, allow
each to issue as many notes as its d.
rectors wish, and upon such security only
as satisfies the directors. and place all
banks under the strictest supervision Of
the Bank Examiners Of the United States.
and, If they viii get a law 10 this effect,
they need not repeal the tax on the issues
OF state banks, but they will end abso-
lutely all discussion Of finance in this