The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-25
TAKES UP HIS PEN
Belmont Adds Another Page to
His Bryan Letters.
Says the Dispute Was Not of
His Desire.
DELVES IN HISTORY.
Democratic Conventions Of '92
and 80 Reviewed.
Some Conclusions Drawn and
Questions Asked.
DELVES IN HISTORY.

New York. April 25.-Perry Belmont
has issued another statement in reply to
William J. Bryan. In substance it is as
follows:
Honorable w. J. Bryan: Dear Sir-The
dispute we are in over the Chicago plat
form was not begun by any word or wish
of mine. You were invited to dine with
the Democratic club on the anniversary
of Jefferson's birthday, which the club has
heretofore celebrated. Instead of accept
ing or declining the invitation, you asked
my present opinion of the Chicago plat
form of three years ago. L replied for the
club that individual opinions had nothing
to do with the invitation. Thereupon you
sent to me a personal letter describing
me as a Republican masquerading
Democrat, as unfit to celebrate the annf-
Versary of Jefferson'S birthday. because
condemned the Chicago platform and your
candidacy, and altogether displaying an
undisguised intention to be offensive while
ostensibly answering dinner invitation.
Had more consideration been given to
your accusation you would have seen that
those who endeavor to persuade the De-
mocracy to use the more or less discarded
inventions OF Republicans are the masque7
raiders, and not those who stand in the old
paths hailowed by the footsteps of Jeffer-
son, Madison and Jackson.
POPULISM ONCE REPUBLICANISM.
Influence of Populism over the Demo-
the P Popu t promote repGdiat ton Of debts
by advocating the issue of government un-
wealth organized in the hands of cor
when so held is too often unscrupulous.
corrupt and oppressive. But Populism
goes further; it assails wealth in the hands
of individuals honorably acquired and
used. salaries and wages.
Republicans invented the full legal ten
der greenbacks, put in the invention on the
Democratic vote, packed the supreme
a previous condemnation of the legislation
by Democratic bench. 1t was by Demo-
that this enactment was denounced.
Republicans in congress later on re
eel greenbacks. and by refusal made them
OF changing value IN the markets ana IN
form of 1876 declared.
ing system and by a 10 per cent tax on
the circulation of notes of state banks,
which tax not laid for revenue, drove
out of existence all state institutions is
suing bank notes, which issue Demo-
| constitutional right The Democratic ma
tional convention of 1892 urged the repeal
Republicans in congress put end in
1873 to free bimetallic coinage.
treasury and Allison n n the s senate. IN ISIS
substituted for Bland,s restora ton of free
house, the Allison law authorizing the
treasury to purchase silver bullion in linn
government into full legal tender silver
dollars. Under this influence silver parted
company with gold Then the gold price
of silver bullion was $l15; now it is less
than 60 cents.
QUESTION RE-OPENED.
Republicans, led by President Harrison,
in 1880 re-opened the silver question,
doubled the quantity of the treasury silver
purchases, intending thereby to absorb the
whole American product and lift the price
of silver. Then silver was $1.05 an ounce.
1t was the Democracy of New York
which denounced the Sherman silver legis-
| la ton ''cOWardly makeShift,' a phrase
| so apt and true that it was adopted by the
Democratic national convention which
| made the goal of Democratic effort:
l. Repeal of the Sherman silver law of
| $780, which repeal you resisted in congress
| by speech and vote.
| 2. The of both gold and silver as
| standard money.
| 5. Coinage of both metals without dis
| elimination against either.
! 4. The dollar units of coinage equal in
| intrinsic and exchanged BILE value.
| ,. That value to be adjusted in of
! two ways, tO-wit: either by international
| agreement or by such safeguards of
| congressional legislation will insure
| 6. The maintenance of the parity of the
| two metals, and the equal power of every
| dollar at all times in the markets, and in
| the payment of debts.
| In the law repeating the Sherman silver
| enactment congress inserted the substance
| and legal effect of the Democratic plat
| form of 1892 "A safe system of bimetal-
| lism' was thus proclaimed by congress to