The Washington weekly post., 1900-09-11
CAGES REPLY TO SCHURz
Danger to Gold Standard Involved
in Mr.. Bryan'S Success.
Present Congress Not Likely 10 Enact New
Legislation TO Restrain Bryan-Ne-
eessity of Avoiding Amy Pos.
sibiliry of Danger.

Secretary Gage has made the following
reply to an open letter he has received
from Hon. Carl Schurz, of New York:
Sept 4, 1900.
Dear Sir: ] have the honor TO acknowledge the
receipt Of yours Of the Sd instant. IN which you
utter some words Of criticism upon the statements
made by me in a newspaper interview published
August 2S, in which l expressed the opinion that
Mr.. Bryan. IL elected President, could by the
erclse OF considerable ''perverse ingenuity" put
the government on silver basis. ruin its credit,
and bring incalculsble disaster upon the business
interests OF the country.
You deny that the dangers set forth by me in
that intervieg really exist and that any President
will be able 10 do what / declare might De done.
unless the Republican party in control OF the
government in both the legislative and executive
branches proves itself utterly dishonest in its pro-
fessed purpose 10 maintain the gold standard" You
say your denial lis not based uTon" the reason
ing OF those Of your critics who seek to show by
figures that President, desiring ever much to
put the country en silver basis would lack the
means Of doing So" On the contrary, you admit.
for arguments sake" all cay that point. 1t
does not seem. therefore. that there is any par
ticular difference between TO what Mr.. Bryan.
as President, could do under the law os in spite
of the Law as 1t now is.
It ought to have been apparent to you as it no
doubt was, that was speaking of the possibili-
ties OF the case under circumstances and condi-
tions as they now exist. bat you proceed to point
out how at the next session of Congress, which
will meet in December legislation could be had
which would completely forestal unfrendly action
toward the gold standard, even IL Mr.. Bryan were
elected and should still cherish the firm. set pur-
pose declared by him September ls. 1895, at
Knoxville. Tenn. where he said: IF there is any
one who believes that the gold standard is a good
thing or that it must be maintained warn him
not TO cast hs vote for me. because promise him
it viii not be maintained in this country longer
than am able TO get rid of it,"
You rehuke in polite terms fer sounding a
false note of alarm. disquieting TO the business
community, and especially when uttered by one in
authority.
am not at all skilled in controversy, and have
had no practice in dialectics but will indulge in
a few words in the way of rejoinder to your
criticism.
In the first place, then more serious disaster
could overtake this country Tin this think you will
agree with mel than the breaking down of the
gold standard and the adoption of that principle OF
money for whieh Mr.. Bryan contends In 1876 you
yourself are quoted having said:
The mere apprehension of possibility Of Mr.
Bryan's election and of the consequent placing OF
our country upon the silver basis has already
caused untold millions of securities TO be
thrown upon the market. Scores Of business orders
already recalled. large mum, II of manufac-
turing establishments have already stopped or re-
strcted their operations enterprise is already dis
couTaged, and nearly psrayzed. Aad if these are
the effects OF 4 mere apprehension OF possibility
what would be the effect Of the event itself? There
is scarcely imaginable limit to the destruction
certain TO be wrought by the business disturbance
that Mr.. Brysn's rere election would cause
/ myself am unable 10 perceive why the same
consequences in a minor degree. perhaps. would
not ensue now. which you so forcibIy foreshadowed
then.
Now when consequences 50 great as these are in
volved, the forces operating to inaugurate them
should be resisted every point. Even the possi-
bility of danger should be avoided. II is ia
miliar fact. and one altogether too much in eyi.
deaee, that administrative onicer. filled with
hatred and contempt Of a particular law can. by
pervere ingenuity, practically nullify its opera
tions You point out in your letter that If the
| course indicated by me in the interview referred
10 should be contemplated by Mr. Bryan. the Re-
| publican Congress which meets In December next
| could in advance restrain him by new and NOR ef.
fective mandatory provisions The proposition that
in Of Mr. Brysn's election the present CONGRESS
can tie his hands so that he cannot give effect to
his expressed intention appears to 10 be falla-
ciOus. Ii would require new legislation by par
/ " whose policy would have been rejected hy the
people through their last expression at the polls
Further than this the session will expire BY
| operation OF law on the 4tb of March. 1901. The
/ free silver minority would be justified by their
constituents in using all tho resources Of dlIstory
procedure 70 prevent such legislation and against
/ such tactics Affirmative legislation such as you
| suggest would be probably impossible Can any
/ one doubt Mr. Bryan would urge action by his
friends in Coagrtss prevent the further strength
ening 5f the policy which he denounces as GRIM
/ inal' Your remarks upon this point seem 10 in
dcate that you rely upon the exercise OF the Eow-
| er already conferred upon the Republican party to
/ prevent the ocuniry from experiencing disasters
/ which Mr. Bryan will, II he can, bring upon us
May not sugSsss that the way to safety !.
| not TO take power from those upon whom you rely
for protection ard eoafer it rpon those whose se.
/ tlol you may have good esuse 10 dread.
| since you have raised the questloa OF further
legislation let Us look iItfs further forward II
Mr. Bryan Is elected President. Il Is Of all thingi
/ the most probable that the next House will have
a Democratic majority. but even admitting that
! thst Congress, dating from March g. 1891 NIn not
/ be able 10 eHeet any change Ia our preseat nnan-
ciai lesislatioa. what. may fairly ask viii be
| the effect Of the continued agitation OF the ques
ti,a upoa business and Industry. set In motion By
President bent upon the restoration Of free silver
:, the ratio Of Is TO l and elected upon that plat
form.
Y,u end your letter By suggesting that l rrtrzci
xha, I have said in fairness 10 The business com,
| m.,itv. which should net be unnecessarily dis
/ osieteS especially no, BY those In authority
Tht,ktnx as I do that tie election Of Mr. Brysr
,.,.J hs A real menace 10 the commercial and In
aas,rtal interests OF our people. because Of ths
purpese he ehssrishes and the power be wsuIs
uossess. I do rot feel u liberty TO art uSon youi
su.xestson feel II N. duty 10 at isass xAit gati
/ .rrr Mr. Bryan himse.f has relrsetsd his nEte.
m,nt Of 1855 II sths sold Standard sill not b
msintsinsd IN this essnify longer ihaa ] am abb
- Get sid Of IT," ysry truly yours
| LYMAN j. GAGE
Hon. Carl sehurE.
boltoa Landing. Lake George. ~.