The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1898-08-13

business Men Are buying wwv bonds
and Forgetting ALI About
Free silver.

There are many indications that the
free coinage of silver ut the ratio OF
sixteen 10 one, as a political issue, Is
passing. With Mr.. Cable and other
gold democrats on the democratic
state committee in Illinois, by a vote
of the convention, ii Is evident that a
decided change has taken place. The
report that n large majority OF the
state committee of Illinois Is opposed
10 mailing sixteen to one an issue In
1900. but favors free coinage without
any reference 10 the ratio, is entitled
TO credence. That is the common
ground upon which the democracy OF
the country can get together in 1900.
Those who call themselves democratic
leaders in Indiana may not see IL now,
but they have never had the reputa-
tion of leading the procession.
There are other Indications. The
representative OF an industrial paper
published In baltimore has recently
been through the south 10 ascertain
the sentiment Of business men in ref
ercnce 20 free silver and the ratio OF
sixteen 10 one. He reports that while
those who make politics business are
protesting undying devotion TO Bryan
and sixteen 10 one, the business men OF
the south, who represent its trade and
industries, are opposed 10 the silver
issue and are using their influence 10
repress the agitation of the question.
The fact that million people, includ-
ing an element naturally timid, sub
scribed for five times as many bonds
payable i'm coin" as the government
has called for without question as to
the meaning Of the word Is another evil
dence of popular feeling. III there had
been any general fear that by the free
| coinage Of silver at the ratio of six
| teen TO one the United States would
pass 10 silver basis there would have
been no rush 10 subscribe for three per
cent. bonds -Four years ago there was
such doubt that the government had
10 issue four per cent. bond where
| Il could have Aonted three per cent.
| gold bond Gold Is no longer boarded.
| Two years ago less than ten per cent.
OF the revenues were paid in gold.
During the past few months from as TO
7s per cent. OF the customs duties were
paid in gold. For months the treasury
has been paying out nearly million
dollars day IN excess OF the revenues,
but even before the passage OF the
revenue and bond act that fact
caused no uneasness lest the gold in
the treasury DC drawn out by an end
less chain" During the past three
months several financial papers, In an
alyzing the causes of general bust
ness activity. have declared that the
general conviction In business circles
that the coinage issue OF Organism Is
dead and can never be galvanized into
the appearance OF life Is the leading
cause Of the present generally inn
proved business conditions.
In this state and some others the
democrats will insist that sixteen 10 one
Is an issue now and viii be in 1000, but
leaders OF diScernmcnt will have as lit
tie 60 say in advocacy OF II rs possible.
knowing that in 1900 the silver issue
with n sixteen 10 one proyiso will not
be emphasized in the national demo-
era tic platform. The electoral vote OF
New York. which Tammnny viii prom
Use. and which the democrats must
have In order 20 win, Is OF more inn
portance than the electoral votes OF
the silver-producing states twice over.
Besides. the silent conviction OF the
country agains. sixteen 20 one Is much
more positive now than il was I'm No
vember 1896. indianapolis Journal.