The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-10-23
A mn OF Particulars.
Atlanta Constitution.

Tf'i"usd constitution.
Commenting on the expressions OF opin-
ion recently made by the National commit
teemen OF the democratic party IN the
silver question, the Chicago Evening Post
makes tho following reference to the
editor of the Constitution:
CLARK Howell, best known of the con-
tributors to the first symposium from
members OF the democratic National
comma tteemen, In the New York Herald
writes from Atlanta that 'events have
fu!iy justified the democratic position on
the currency question. aud IL there was
reason to give utterance to the declara-
tion made at Chicago there Is the more
reason inow to call Tor the endorsement
OF the position then taken IL is hardly
necessary to say that Mr.. Howell does
not stop to tell us the events he alludes
to as having justified the free silver
doctrine. Many of us--nay. the majority
OF the American peope--have somehow
missed these great events. though We
have all been wide awake. We shall
have to ask for bill OF particulars.
which, We are afraid. will not be readily
framed"
Would 1t be polite for one traveller to
seize another by the ear, and remark,
Friend, yonder is mountain. there Is a
hill. here is a plain" when they are going
through country where ell these objects
are in plain view? As the events referred
to In the foregoing were all In plain view
OF all the people 1t was not deemed neces-
sary TO single them out for observation
and description; but ms our Chicago friend
frankly calls for a hill OF particulars, we
respond with the alacrlty that should be
Characteristic of those who are called on TO
give reasons for the faith that is in them.
This bill OF particulars is not only readily
but cheorfully framed.
In the first place, then. lot our Chicago
friend compare the condition of affairs
now with that which existed prior 10 1873,
or prior to lS93-we give a Wide field for
comparison to caper in---3nd tell us whether
the people are as prosperous now as they
were then. or one-half as prosperous
whether trade Is as brisk; whether the rail-
roads are as prosperous; whether prices are
as high; whether wages are as good.
whether there are as many people In prof
table employment; whether our industries
are as prosperous.
We might pause here, for what we have
said covers the whole ground but bill
of particulars is asked for. Touching our
own section OF the couutry, We will say
| that scent cotton seems 10 be again with
| us, Is that hopeful sign? Since the
| whole line and volume OF Southern ex-
| changes are hased on the amount of money
| received for our cotton do present prices
| with the threat that they will 80 lower
| give us such assurance as the farmers had
| when silver was a part OF our STANDARD
| money? The Constitution said the other
| day that the country is In the presence
| of better times; that there was prospect Of
| prosperous year. Certainly, better times
! 4 81 Ia o.,
| years but hard and dreadful times as com
| pared with those OF the years OF real pros
| perity; a prosperous year as compared
| with those Just passed, but a dull and
| proftless year as compared with the years
| when there was plenty OF money In circula-
| ton, when prices were profitable wher
labor was employed and when wages were
high.
In the second place, we call the atten'
| ton of our Chicago friend to the fac
| that for the first time In the history o
| the country the wages paid TO our workint
! people are on the level OF those earned
by the pauper labor OF Europe. In certain
classes OF labor-the cotton operatives o
New England-wages are in some In
stances below the pauper labor Of Europe
| A gold standard advocate will either no
| admit this or he will say that 1t IL not (
| serious matter; but II Is q very serious mat
| ter indeed. BY cutting off a part OF oul
| money supply we have suffocated demand
| IN our home markets. TO remedy this, WI
have reduced wages 10 the European pau
per level in order that we may compete
| with the products of this pauper labor II
IFS own natural markets. Can that which
gives the whip-hand TO misery, poverty
| distress and depreciation in this countr,
| hs called great victory FOR American
| trade? And yet we see some OF GU
| esteemed contemporaries Boosting over TN
| remarkable Increase In our export trade
A for rs. our thoughts and sympathies ar
| with those whose tired and piuper-pai
| lands have produced the goods which hav'
cen sent abroad at such on awiui sacriiic
| 10 tho best interests OF the republic.
| II the gentlemen OF the gold party De
| sire to kill the silver question utterly an
hurry it beyond the hope OF redemption
lei them place the prosperity OF the conn
| ,rv whore IL was before silver was DC
monetIzed: let them devise a method 10
giving the people prosperity prices 10
fheir products and prosperity wtges 10
their labor; let them restore real estat
10 it's values, and make II profi,aoie 10
property owners TO build more 'ouses
Them. In short. provide means LOT puttln
sufficient supply OF money In circu
lation to enable those who nave sone"na
IN soil 10 secure their fair share.
ITn,i, they do this. let them be prepare
20 NICE, the silver question at every cross
ing and al every corner. Ana IL they per
~, a. saving that the present condition
ara Inc prosperity the reople have bee
ionstng for. they VIII find IL much NOR
imnortaut question In 1900 than u was !
1906. when a majority OF million OF IN
white voters OF the republic lhnorseu on
apnroved the demand LOT 'nc rsseoin'' =
~ sflyer TO our financial system co stand