New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-23
MIR. GAGE DEFENDS HIS BILL
REPLY TO THE FEDERATION OF
LABoR.s RESOLUTIONS.
wAcE-woRKERs WOULD BE TIE GREATEST suf-
FERERs THE SECRETARY SAYS. sHoohD
THE PRESENT MONETARY SYSTEM
RE OVERTHROW.

rrnrRs THE SECRETARY SAYS. SHOULD
THE PRESENT MONETARY SYSTEM
BE OVERTHROW
Washington. Dec. 22.-Secretary Gage hA'
written the following letter to PRESIDENT "o.,
pers OF the Federation Of Labor: / nave ie"c
with care the resolutions adopted the 2oth 'hs''
at Nashville by the convention OF the feue'"'
Of Labor. which recite as follows:
.p.so,ved That we declare ourselves most posi-
lively opposed the Gage FINANCIAL PHI tbs
introduced in Congress by the Secredt apyo6 as
law viii only the friLy rivet the goa s.as,.
ard on the people AZ the county ana perpe'ua''
its disastrous effects IN every FORM co ,u, an
undsgUsed EFFORT to retire greenbaSS yaH ~
and all Government paper mo ha Notes in their
sf ne and thus fasten the National bank system
for years upon the American people
Now II It be true that the gold stanoaro-os
which things have been measured as TO price LOT
the last sixty years in this country-is inimicai
TO the interests OF the laborng classes or inc
United States, then I think 1t Is lnimlcal 10 all
classes In other words. | do not believe that
the exploitation Of one class by another, either
through false weights or bad monetary sys-
tam ran be made 10 work for the permanent
benefit OF the exploiting class ITSELF or TOT INC
genera, veal, even were 1t dcfensIble on any
cd. therefore. that the permanence OF the gold
standard (for which 1 argue) operates IN TINS
evil direction then your resolutions OF condem-
nation ara we'll founded. and am Justly charged
e,tbcr with an ignorance which constitutes me a
foolish adviser or with a perversty OF motive
which makes me an evil adviser.
ct have a right to disavow tho charge OK per-
v.rs,tv or evil purpose since there Is nothing IN
nv whole life rs related to my felow-men. either
in word or deed, from which the possession by
mo OF such characteristics can be Inferred much
less demonstrated.
But Ignorance often unconscously works as
deep injury as evil intent might do, ana to TINS
Gin OF ignorance az 1t be SIM must CONFESS
mvselr TO be possible victim. This contession'
however. ought not to classify me as separate
from my fellowmen generally "hether they os
const dered as individual units or as cohstesatcu
IN ,rouna Ignorance is n relative. not an abso-
lutte term, since few are totally ignorant anu
none arc absolutely wise. Nor does the nuHoet
constituting the group change this fac' slhce NC
wisdom OF a group. however u.s. '''''
greater than that Of the wisest man IN H.
This remains true whether the subject matter
involving knowledge and judgment be astron-
on,, nhysics or finance The condemnation then
involved In the resolutions referred u Is meas.
urcd by the just or imperfect Apprehension OF
questions relating TO monetary science heiu ny
the wsest men who supported them.
Laying these general considerations aside Iet
me say to you. and through YOU 70 me grea,
body YOU so honorably represent. that II instead
~ denunclatory resolutions, which are not argu-
mcnt YOU or any other on your behalf. Will
show that the views entertain and advocate
are other than salutary 10 the great economic
hodv of which We are all Independent members.
I VIII abandon them without hesitation. My
present conviction. the honest fruit OF sincere
study and reflection. is that breakdown In our
nrescnt monetary standard would bc n most
disastrous blow 20 all our commercial and IN
dustrial Interests. and that upon the wage
workers as a class would be entailed the most
serious effects Of the disaster. Believing this.
must so bear witness"