Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-08-12
aTHls IS A CLINCHER /"


editor Of the Democrat. The editor Of
the Democrat says II is clincher Well.
let us see about that, just for a moment,
please.
"The Martinsburg Herald says that
Cleveland's financial policy broke tne
country up, but the Republican policy is
restoring prosperity Would the Herald
mind telling wherein the Republican
financial policy differs from the Cleveland
policy Charleston Gazette.
Before answering the question pro-
pounded by the Gazette, let us ask it one
in return. If there was no difference be
tween the financial policy Of the Republi-
can party, and the policy Of Grover Cleve-
land, why did the Democratic party re-
nominate him, and why did the editors Of
the Gazette and Democrat vote for his re-
election The financial policy Of Cleve-
lands second term was identicaily that of
bis first term, during which he wrote his
attack on free silver, and this policy was
Numerically opposed to the free silver
policy Of Bryan. Now, knowing this,
what excuse can these Democratic editors
give for voting for Cleveland. in 1892,
when they knew he was opposed to free
silver, and kicking him out of the party in
1896, and voting for Bryan, who .alks,
and believes in, nothing but the rankest
free silver9 Were they right in 1892 and
wrong in 1902 Would the Gazette and
Democrat mind telling what process or
evolution of thought and conscience caus-
ed them to change their convictions and
votes, within the period of four years
The financial policy of the Republican
party differs from the financial policy Of
in many ways. The first differ
ence is that the Republican party has
never sold government bonds in time of
profound peace, to secure money with
which to run the government. Mr.. Cleve-
land did. He sold S263,3I5,4oo Of bonds
in ISo4-5-6, at rate of interest that gave
away $3,o23,I54 of the peoples money.
When the Span sh war came on, McKin-
ley disposed of 5000, 100000 of bonds at
3 instead of 4 and per cent. interest,
relative saving Of S3,o23,I54 per annum.
May be- there was no difference in these
two policies. If these Democratic editors
had the difference saved by Republican
fnancierlng on these bonds alone, they
would not be near SO touchy
Then, again. the Republican party has
ever aimed to make revenue and financial
policies blend, so that the treasury would
be strengthened by the collected revenue.
This policy has always kept up the credit
of the government, and met all its de-
mands. 1t has paid millions Of the pub
lie debt,-a war debt made by the Demo-
cratic party. 1t has opened up our rivers
and made them Manageable. 1t has paid
for countless public buildings throughout
the country, and given us magnificent
navy and every facility of government.
1t has kept every dollar of our
money, as good as gold. On the other
hand, the Democratic party has found no
difficulty in depicting the treasury. Under
James Buchanan, government bonds
were sold at a discount, and the govern
ment was virtually bankrupted. Labor
then, as under the Cleveland admnistra-
ton, was unemployed. The revenues
were cut off by Democratic tariff legisla-
ton, and the people, in land of plenty,
could not sell their goods nor do paying
business. Under Cleveland and the Will
son bill, the revenues fell off the govern
ment had but one leg upon which to
stand, and Coxeys army marched to the
Capitol steps. The financial policy of
Cleveland was a beautiful failure, and the
credit of the government was only MAN.
tanned by the sale of bonds. The gold
revenue was entrenohed upon, and fell
below S6o,ooo,ooo, and but for the
sale of these bonds, the treasury would
have been as empty as the average Demo-
cratic editors head. The country was on
the verge of ruin. Factories were closed.
Laborers parade the streets of our large
cities, begging for work, for food, for
lodging for soup-anything to escape
starvation. The farmers wool was at 2
cents per pound. His sheep brought him
but 81 per head. His wheat sold for 50
cents per. bushel. His cattle for SO and
So per head Railroads went in the hands
of the receiver. Banks closed their doors.
There was misery and want everywhere.
But why conjure up this horrible picture
of the past2 Millions of voters could
hardly wait until the election occurred TO
bury the financial, free-trade policy of
Cleveland. They rolled upa huge major
ity for Mckinley. They went back to
1