The times., 1898-02-20
THE GREAT SILVER STEAL.

| Two clever, quick-witted, far-See1nS
men. To a limited extent, they might
by their enemies. be declared cunning
and tricky-yet there was blunt bray-
cry dominating their natures that ac-
quilted them OF indulging in the small
and despicable trickeries of life. A stu
dent of physiognomy would have un-
hesitatingly declared the men exact
ly similar in character-maryeious
| so-and yet in personal appearance
they resembled each other none. Both
had the deep-sunken eyes, denoting
prescience; both had slightly aquiline
| noses; both had strong chins, and both
| were energetic, daring, forcefui fellows.
Both had served throughout the war,
! Swift on the side of the Confederates,
Cutting with the Federal troops. Both
| had risen from the ranks to a captain
! cy for gallant and meritorious service.
Both were brave and fearless.
| After the war Swift and Cutting
drifted to Nevada. They met first in
! Virginia City, when that mountain
| town was in its prime. A similarity ot
war experiences soon cemented a
| chance acquaintanceship into a close
and lasting friendship. They joined
| hands and fortunes. went in for mining
! and prospered maryalously. In any
New England town they would have
| been considered very rich men when
| the slump in silver values came. They
watched with alarm the gradual de-
cline in silver bullion, and finally deter
mined to close their mines until the
/ white metal was remonetiZed, or until
| for some other reason silver values i'm
proved
| - nf - vail OR a
| adverse state of affairs. He rallied un-
| ceasingly at the Government for de-
| monetiZing the money of the Consti-
| tuition. He bitterly denounced the
| gold bugs mathematical the Wall
/ and Lombard street "shylocks." and
piled abusive adjectives around and
| about the Congress and the President.
| Cutting at first was irritated at his
| friend, bat he finally came. to regard
ing him with something of amusement
! and something OF a wicked twinkle in
4 his eye.
| Look here, Cutting" exclaimed
Swift on one occasion, "our ore mills
| $50 in silver and SIS in gold to the ton.
| The mint takes our gold, melts ii. re-
fines it, stamps, and coins 1t. and re-
! turns us the deposit dollar for dollar
! without cost or expense to us. We
/ have benefited the country at large by
/
| That is true. Swift
The silver from the same ore they
refuse to coin at any price. What do
| they do? They bid for silver bullion on
| the market, buy il in at so cents on
| the dollar. and then emit 81 in coin for
| every dollar paid us for our silver.
| They only paid 50 cents for that silver
| dollar" said he, holding UP a piece of
! money, yet they make you and me
4
/ why this Government, which claims the
| exclusive right TO coin money, and
would throw US into Jail if we tried to
| do il. should discriminate between
! these metals2 Why should it give us
! the coin value for one metal and half
the coin value for the other? | tell
you, Cutting. it's a damnable. Internal
outrage. and if knew any way TO get
even I'd do it. if L died for it"
Swift said Cutting slowly and de-
liberateIy. Il have been turning
over in my mind plan, by pursuing
which We may get even. | have said
| nothing TO you about il. because | rath-
er feared your head had been turned by
this affair What l have in mind re-
| quires cool heads, strong hands and
brave hearts. but above all cool heads.
1t is but fair to you that | should say
your sentiments on this matter are my
sentiments
Thanks. old man 1 thought you luke
warm, and that thought mas itself urged
me to speak warmly in your presence y
Il have been afraid to talk plainly to
you, Swift. and hesitated to lay my plan
before you. But you are all right: I'm
certain of it now
''You have a plan2 What is it,"
This said Cutting, as he closed
and locked the door of his office. II
F.rII al
political situation, and have concluded
that the Democrats must win. We are
not without political influence and not
without money. l propose to set aside
500 900, establish Eastern political con-
nections. and go to the next Demo-
cratic national convention with the
delegation from Nevada, and, if I can
work it, some OF our neighbors in my
pocket
well. what of that"
II propose to hold my delegates neu-
trail until can determine who is likely
to secure the nomination, and then l
will be open to negotiations with that
mans manager, whoever he may De.
"And?' interrogated Swift
81 propose to trade that strength for
the political patronage of Nevada"
1T isn't worth d--n, Cutting
Never mind. Swift l then propose
, Il
organize the Democratic party in thia
State and carry it for Democracy. if it
takes a quarter of a million dollars,
new dress for every woman. new paig
of shoes for every boy, doll for every
girl and a dog license for every dog in
the State
A grin broke over the face of Swift.
a light came into his eyes that had not
shone there for many a day, and he
rose from his seat Grasping Cutting
by the hand and squeezing it with tre-
mendous force. he exclaimed:
II understand you"
Are you certain of it2''
Certain" and he reached over and
whispered in Cuttings ear
Carson City
II see you understand" replied Cut
ting.
For weeks and months Cutting and
Swift labored with untiring zeal and
energy. The Democratic party was
organized as it never was before in the
history of the State. Clerks and type
writer's by the dozen were employed.
and kept busily at work. The State
was divided into districts, and each
district placed under the personal su-
pervision of a skilIful man with a
head for organization. He in turn enA
gagged lieutenants and assistants.
The Nevada delegation to the national
convention belonged to Cutting On the
way East the delegations from other
Western States were picked up by the
train Wine flowed freely Cuttings
friends had not confined their efforts
to Nevada. He had some strength in
every body of Western delegates. Be-
fore they had reached Chicago Cutting
had pledged to him thirty votes, which
he might swing as he pleased in con-
uaptinD