The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-03

The Republican campaign of 1896 was pre-
eminently a business mems campaign. The
business element of the country was never
so much in evidence and so distinctly felt
in any election as it was in that of Presi-
dent Mckinley. This was because business
men realized the Importance of a change
from the conditions then existing and also
the importance of averting the peril of free
silver. Many of them, though not all, were
in favor of protective tariff, while every
one of them was opposed to free silver.
Mr.. McKinley's election was largely due to
the business men of the country, Repub-
licans and sound-money Democrats.
Business men are much buster now than
they were in 1885, but they should not forget
that the same issues are involved now that
were in that election, with other important
ones besides. From a war point Of view
this is patriotic campaign, but from a
business point of view it is a business
mems. Now, as in 1896, the leaders of the
Democratic party have compelled business
men to line up on the money question and
to choose between the gold standard and
the silver standard Every intelligent bust
ness man knows what the success of free
silver would involve. Perhaps John Clafiin,
of New York, of the H. B. Claf1in Company,
is as well qualified to speak for that class
as any one. He, presided over a business
mems mass meeting in New York a few
nights ago and made a brief speech, in
which he said:
Every merchant in this house knows what
panics and rumors of panic have followed
every agitation for silver legislation in the
past. Democratic House of Representa-
tiveS, with an overwhelming majority of the
Democratic representation in favor of free
coinage, would keep free silver agitation at
fever heat for the next two years, and in
1900 we should have to fight the battle of
1895 over again do 9Od not want to see the
peated, and / don't believe you do. The
only safety from such danger lies in a
substantial Republican majority in the next
low-citizens, are among those who must
give it.
1t was this feeling which, two years ago,
caused business men to exert themselves as
they never had in politics before for the
defeat of free silver. Mr.. Clafin sees the
same danger now in the election of a DEM
ocratic Congress- So does John C. Bullitt, a
prominent business man of Philadelphia,
who says: II think the approaching con-
gressional elections are of the utmost i'm
portance in reference to future financial
legislation" Stuyvesant Fish, president of
the Illinois Central Railroad, writes:
The campaign of 1896 was notably one of
education, and that our people then learned
much about finance was shown in Mr.. Bry-
ans defeat 1t remains, this year, to push
the good work then begun to a conclusion
by electing both a House of Representatives
and n Senate which will carry out the
1896.
John X. Cowen, receiver of the Baltimore
& Ohio Railroad, writing as business man,
says:
/ happen to be brought into close contact
with large financial operations. / do not
hesitate to say that the election of a Demo-
cratic House by the present Democratic or
ganization would have a strong tendency to
depreciate every American security, both on
the exchanges of this country and abroad
The financiers of Europe would regard such
an election as a step backward, and the
timid capitalists would fear to invest in our
securities. Capital at home would likewise
hesitate to make investments, and
many enterprises would be delayed and re-
stricted while capital was waiting to see
what would be done.
These men are not in politics, but they are
interested in business and general prosper
ity. The business men of Indiana have the
same interest and should feel the same way.