The sun., 1900-10-23
GERMAN AMERICAN
FOR COLD STANDARD.
Is the Paramount Issue of the
Present Campaign.
Bryan's Bogies, Imperialism and Mili-
tarism Cut No Figure with the
German-Born Voters.
fAn rnterriew with August Blum.l

tan interview with AUGUST DlulhJ
Mr. August Blum, cashier Of the First
National Bank OF Chicago, intends to
vote for the reelection of President Nc
Kinley.
Mr.. Blum is one of the best representa-
tives in Chicago of the type of Germans
who have gained, in this country, the re-
spect Of fellow American citizens, for in
tegrity, industry and ability. He was
cashier of the Union National Bank; but
after the recent absorption of that insti-
tuition by the First National, he was
made cashier of the First National. He
is generally recognized throughout the
West as a leading banking authority, one
whose Judgment in connection with the
various complex questions that come be-
fore every banker is almost infallibly cor
rect.
In politics he is Democrat, and was
always a prominent supporter of Grover
Cleveland
The following are questions put to Mr..
Blum, and the replies he gave:
@. Would the election of Bryan benefit
the business interests Of Chicago, of the
whole United States, and the German
American titizens particularly!
A. The election of Mr.. Bryan would,
in my opinion, be a great misfortune to
this country, and therefore to Chicago,
/ and therefore to GermanAmericans and
to every other kind of Americans. Amer
| lean citizens of German birth are not a
class by themselves.
| @. What, in your opinion, is the para
mount issue of this campaign?
| A. The paramount issue is that which
| is in the peoples minds, not in the party
platform nor in the speeches of leaders
necessarily. There is one thing in which
we are all vitally concerned, and that is
| the inviolability of the country's standard
| of value. For quarter of century we
have battled for it. At the last moment
to surrender to the enemy would be the
height of folly. l know of no other is
| sue comparable to this one in Importance
| Talk of imperialism is disingenuous
Much as we may differ about the desira
bility of the Philippines as colony, we
| occupy them now and largely through the
help of Mr.. Bryan. The thing is done.
O, What do you think of Bryan's
statement about the recent German loani
| A. 1t is very difficult to follow the tor
| tuous road of Mr.. Bryan's utterances
| -Four years ago | tried persistently to un'
| derstand his utterances about the stand
| ard of value, hut / gave it up Mt last in
| despair To construe our ability to alb
| sorb a foreign loan, as evidence of bad
times, is decidedly Bryanesque. We
could not loan money to foreign govern
ments if we We're not in prosperous con
| dition. When Mr.. Bryan undertakes tc
prove the contrary it may give him pleas
ure, but it will not convince any one.
@. Do YOU think that this country has
| prospered during the last four years as q
result of Republican policies?
A. Yes; the country has prospered dur
ing the last four years. The best, in my
| opinion, that can be legitimately said OF
| the policy of any party is that it does
not stand in the way of normal business
| development which would mean prosper
| ity. That can be said of the Republican
party. During the last four years free
play has been given to industry, frugality
| and to the natural productiyeness of the
country. There has been no attempt al
| interference by tampering with the stand
ard of value, which would have meant
destruction of prosperity"
Q. Do you think Bryan is a safe, solid
wise enough man to be President?
A. answer this with most emphatic
NO.
Q. How do you think GermanAmeri-
cans, as a class, will vote in the presi-
| Dental election this fall?
A. They will vote according to the die.
| tates of their conscience. | have too much
confidence in the good sense of my coun-
trymen to be doubtful as to the outcome