Evening star., 1898-06-06
G U RRE NCY REFOR Nj
Representative Prince Says the Idea is Gain
ing in the West.
His Position ON the Subject, He
Thinks, Aided Him I'm Securing
q denomination.

currency reform was quiet but import
ant factor in the contest which Representa-
| tive Prince of Illinois won last week for a
denomination to Congress Mr.. Prince is an
enthusiastic currency reformer, and it was
| reported that his work in that direction
| would be used to defeat him. l. now APP
pears that it strengthened his candidacy.
Speaking on tnis subject with a Star re-
porter today, Mr.. Prince said:
THE silver craze, so far as Illinois is con-
cerned. is rapidly running its course. 1
hear similar reports from other western
| states. The republicans of my district are
sound money men. But they go farther.
They believe rot only in the gold standard,
but they agree with the Presiden; in his
speech before the Manufacturers Associa-
ton of New York last January, that it
must not only be our purpose to maintain
the gold standard, but must give that
purpose the vitality of public law In other
words. If We give the isolated regions of the
south and west adequate banking facilities
, the demand for free silver will gradually
cease. If we retire the greenbacks-and we
! do retire tham without any contraction of
the currency or an issue of bonds in the bill
now on the House calendar-we shall re-
move the menace to our national credit
which now exists and will continue to exist
so long as the government is required TO re-
deem greenbacks in gold. Our bill, you will
remember, places the redemption upon the
banks.''
Reforming the Currency.
1.-THE people of your district. then, believe
in reforming the currency laws do they?"
THAT question was only incidentally dis
cussed. The business men, however, are 4
unit in demanding that our monetary sys-
tenn shall be placed on a more stable
and scientific basis. / have three large
manufacturing towns in my district-Gales-
burg. Rock Island and Moline. There is not
in these towns a business man of any
prominence who is not currency reformer.
Some of these gentlemen had other can
didates before the convention, but when ii
was manifest that they could not win their
Influence was thrown for me. This was
largely due to my support of the gold STAN
dard and to my connection with the move
ment to improve our monetary system. Our
business men will stand no nonsense on
this question. 1t was they who lent the
weight of their influence and contributed
liberally OF their means in '96 TO elect Mr..
MCKINLEY Included in this number were
nearly million of gold democrats. These
business men appreciate the necessity for
reforming the currency and for a rigid
maintenance of the gold standard. They
rave no patience with men who try to
eVade the issue and seek the support OF
both sides. The candidate for Congress
who does not face this issue bravely and
announce his belief in the gold standard
will find the business element solidly array
ed against him."
Did your opponents refer to your con-
nection with the currency reform move
ment?"
Down at Rock Island the report was
started that l was the tool of Wall street.
and this was intended to injure my candi-
dacy 1t did not affect me in the slightest
degree. l had shown the workmen at the
arsenal that L was their friend when the
commandant a few months ago ordered n
reduction In their wages. General Flaeler
approx ed the reduction and the order was
signed by Secretary Alger. / Immediately
went to the White House and spoke to the
PRESIDENT about 1t. / told him that the rate
OF wages which was paid under a demo-
cratlc administration ought to be contin-
ued under republican administration The
PRESIDENT agreed with ME, and the order
reducing the men was rescinded When
some or my opponents circulated the report
In ROCK Island that was the tool of Wall
street the Workingmen replied that I had
SHOWN myself to be their friend. and that
In their judgment / was only treating the
capitalists with similar consideration@that
IN snort, L was fair to both sides and they
were glad to see it.
My currency reform views brought ma
the support of the business Community
without a single exception. and they did
not cost me vote in any other direction
IN my judgment the House should mass the
Dill now on the calendar before Congress
adJourns. 1t will be the means of main
tanning our control of score Of districts
whose members were elected by the aid of
gold democratic votes. Its passage will
nelp the republican party in the congress
Slonai contest this year, and 1 do not he
HeVe II Will lose us single district in the
east, west or south"