The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-05-27

Some time ago Hon. William J. Bryan
in reply TO a question as % whether or
not free silver would be the dominant
issue I'm the campaign Of 1900. declared
that il was altogether too early 20 say
what would be the dominant issue as
nobody knew what a day would bring
forth. The New York World commended
Mr.. Bryan for this saying. and said that
lie was too sensible a politician 10 cling
TO a dead issue. The. Cincinnati En-
quirer which I'm 1896 was the most ram
pant supporter in the West OF Bryan
and free silver. reproduces the World S
article on its editorial page. giving it adj
diuonal prominence by setting the matter
in double leads"
In his speech at ST. Louis on Thursday
night. Mr.. Bryan devoted himself al
most entirely to trust. and the National
Committee was not prepared TO say what
would be the leading issue in 1890.
For Mr. Bryan and the members of the
Democratic committee 20 sldo-track free
silver is practically 20 abandon free sill
yer. for the Chicago platform declared
that tho silver question was the one
and,only question before tho people ana
until 10 should be settled all things else
must be subordinated 10 it. The fact
Is the coinage question has settled it
self a only such questions can be sct-
tied. by the natural laws Of trade. The
nations of the earth have adopted The
gold standard because they were forced
by changed conditions 10 do so and TO
preserve that standard there has come
the greatest abundance Of the yellow
metal
We gave in brief the other day some
official figures from the director Of the
mint showing the enormous increase in
the production Of gold 10 was shown
that the new gold added 10 the worlds
stock I'm 1895 amounted to- 500 100 GO. and
Indications are that this years addition
will be $4,000 000 or more. and IN 1900
the worlds product will be about $780,
ooo.0o0. Dcducunp that used In the arts
The director finds that in 1896 the gold
product available for coinage was only
sl3soo0OO against a silver product of
si750e3oo9 or a total Of both metals OF
about 1913 900. II is safe 10 say that
in 1907 the gold product available for
coinage will be at least So, 10000, or
more than S2O0oo.0o) IN excess Of the
combined gold and silver product Of 1896.
This. 30 say nothing OF the fact that In
the meantime the worlds total stock OF
gold will have been increased by more
than sieoo0oo,cOo.
These figures OF themselves. without
any argument whatever, are sufl icnt
10 retire the silver question. II the
country would not consent 10 the frce
coinage Of silver Ia 1850 how can there
lie any reasonable hope, iu the light
OF these figures. that tho country Will
consent 90 free coinage ia 1900?
Much has been said about the money
Of he constitution" and about free COIN
age al 10 10 I as true Jonersonian doc
trfne. we have recently quoted from
SIR. Ienerson's works TO show that he
believed in the commercial ratio. I'm the
name connection We would call attention
70 the correspondence between Hamilton
ana jefferson on that point. la 1872
Hamilton laid down this principle:
THAT IN establishing ratio between
the metals. the mean or average ratio
In what may be called the commercial
world is the proper one. Incre can
hardly be better rule in any country
Tor the lcgal than the market ratio n
This can he supposed TO have been pro-
duced hy the full and steady course
OF commercial principles. The presump-
tlon In such case is that each metal
nnds It's true level according 10 its in
trnsic utility IN the general system u
money operations"
Mr. Jefferson returned the repor, With
the remark that he had read II with q
great deal OF satisfaction. concluding
as follows: Il concur with you IN think
ing that the mint must stand on both
metals and ALEC IN the ratio you es-
tabiish between the two metals Again.
JclIerson said that he would still incline
TO give ntue more than the market
price for gold because Of its superior
convenience in transportation.
The world came To- that conclusion ione
40. II was found necessary 20 adopt
gola by reason Of inc Increased pro-