Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-10-14
Facts for Mr.. Reid to COndider.

TO The EDITOR:-This IS the day
and age when al the leading demo-
cratic orators who belong to the free
silver faction" are telling the people
that the democratic party has always
been friend of silver. Mr.. Reid in
his address on the l4th told the people
how he (and the great democratic
party had labored for silver in con-
gress. Now l am not questioning Mr..
Reid's stand, but l do question the
stand of the democratic party. They
may have a "friendly itching"
for silver, but have meyer, until '96,
favored silver legislation. To prove
my assertion | will go back to the be-
ginning and defy Mr.. Reid or anyone
else to show, by act or deed, wherein
| Thos. jefferson favored silver unless
his order suspending the coinage of
the silver dollar in 1906 could be so
construed.
Again they refer to Andrew Jackson
as disciple Legislative fiat" while,
as matter of fact, Jackson expressly
stated i'm his farewell message to con-
gress that money should, and must be,
of "intrinsic value"
| In 1892 the democratic national plat
| form, on the financial question, was rs
| follows: "We denOunce the republl-
can legislation known as the Sherman
act of 1890, as a cowardly makeshift,
fraught with possibilities of danger in
the future which should make all of its
supporters, as well as its author, anX-
ious for its speedy repeal. We hold to
the use of both gold and silver AS the
standard money of the country, and
to the coinage of both gold and silver
without discrimination against either
metal or charge for mintage, BUT THE
DOLLAR UNIT MUST BE OF EQUAL IN
TRINSIC AND EXCHANGABLE VALUE
OK BE ADJUSTED THROUGH INTERNA-
TIoNAL AGREEMENT, OR SUCH SAFE
GUARDS OF LEGISLATION AS SHALL IN
SURE THE MAINTENANCE OF THE PAR
ITY OF THE TWO METALS, AND THE
EQUAL POWER OF EVERY DOLLAR AT
ALL TIMES IN THE MARKETS AND IN
THE PAYMENT OF DEBTS; AND WE DE-
MAND all paper currency shall be kept
at a par with and redeemab!e in such
coin. We insist upon this policy AS
ESPECIALLY NECESSARY FOR THE PRO-
lection OF THE FARMERS AND LABOR
ING CLASSES, THE FIRST AND MOST
DEFENSELESS VICTIMS OF UNSTABLE
MONEY AND A FLUCTUATING CURREN-
CY." Did Mr.. Reed support Mr. Cleve.
land when he was running for presi-
dent in 1892, on the above platform?
Now let US see what was done in con-
gress bv the democratic party, to show
that they "have always been friendly
to silver"
In 1853, when measure was up tt
= clip off the weight of half dollars and
minor silver coins to prevent their be-
ing exported las the change of ratio in
, 1884 made them more valuable than
= poldA the chairman of the committee
on WAYS and means, who was dem
ocrat. said: 1--WE mean to make gold
the standard coin, and make these ne"
: coins"-the subsidiary silver OF pro-
!. nortiona,ely less value-''applicahls
l and convenient, not for large but fol
[ small transactions" Another demo
B. cratic member of the same committee
i said: "We have had but "a single
v standard for the past three or fou
l. wears: that has been and now Is gold
J. We propose to let 1t remain soto adop
o silver To it, to regulate it by it,"
The great crime of of 1873, as on
democratic friends now term 1t, whii
not a party measure, was carried D.
marc democratic than republican
votes.
In 1876 the trade dollar was demone
,;zed with democratic majority II
d congress.
:. Nov. ), 1877, Bland introduced
~ bill providing for free coinage i
" ro,sed the house, went 10 a democrati
senate when Peck, of Connecticut
&c democrat, offered an amendment
~ tha hill which limited coinage
. three million dollars per month
nc On the first passage of the Blanc
" ,uson act IS democrats voted agaih'
~ II while 100 republicans voted Tor
~ land only four republicans voted aga'h'
Fl" it hut it was passed, and passed q
iS' ro,ul ljcan votes IN spite OF democrat
,rt opposition, ~, HON,
'l' NAV /, 1879, Warmers bill nous
." file 10. "a. passed the house a"
IA, n.srt to q democratic senate ana WI
,is killed. ~ lima >
lis Se,ator Vest. of Missouri, June :
Is ,s-a offered resolution providing Il
DIS free coinage. 1t was referred to ii den