River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-09-20
MR.. BRYAN'S EVASION.
The Great Prophet of Free silver No
Longer Has the Courage of
His Convictions

Mr.. Bryan declines TO say whether or
not, if president, he would use the sill
yer in the treasury to liquidate gov
eminent obligations payable in coin,
regardless of the preference of the
creditor. The New York Herald has
tried to obtain light from him on this
important question and failed. The
great prophet of free silver evidently
hasno longer the courage of his convie-
tions. Four years ago, in his letter of
acceptance Mr.. Bryan declared: I'm
til this money question is fully and
finally settled the people will not con-
sent to the consideration of any other
important question" Now he is not
merely trying TO force other questions
upon their consideration as paramount,
but is even trying to divert their atten-
ton from this all-important subject of
money. Nor is he satisfied with keep
ing silver in the background, but is en-
deavoring TO throw cloud of uncer-
tainty over his financisa policy, allow
ing the silver men TO think that he
would be as radical as he promised TO
be four years ago, and at the same time
letting he gold men hope that he
would not use the executive power ag-
gressively to further his principles.
This trimming is particularly notice
able in man who has hitherto made
such a virtue of straightforwardness in
telling what he would or would not do.
The question which he is asked to an
swer is perfectly proper one, about
which the American people have q
right TO information. He cannot rea-
sonably ask either the silver or gold
men ito go it blind" 1t is more inn
portant for them to know what his
election 10 the presidency would actu-
ally mean with respect to treasury ray-
ments than to know that he is theo-
retically in favor of cheap money and
would sign bill for the free coinage
of silver if il came to him from con-
gress. Secretary Gage has pointed out
what a president and secretary could
do to change our money standard from
gold to silver without any action by
! congress. They could use the free sill
yer in the treasury TO pay coin obliga-
tions as far as it would go, and on linz
tied scale could give practical demon-
stration of their theory.
There may be difference of opinion
concerning the effect of such action.
| Some think it would mean panic and a
premium on gold. Others think the
only harm would be an unsettling Of
! confidence and fear of more radical
| things TO come. and that such fears
would be engendered by the election of
| Mr.. Bryan itself and would hardly be-
| increased by the use of such powers as
| he would possess. That speculation is.
however, not pertinent until we know
Mr.. Bryan's disposition. If he says he
would use the executive powers to abol-
ish the gold standard il will be time to
| forecast possible results; or if he says
| he will not try to force silver on gov
eminent creditors, the question can DO
put aside as of no practical importance
| While he shrouds his intentions in mys-
terry it is only possible to fear that he
would take the most radical course,
and TO fear all possible dangers from
| that course.
Mr.. Bryan probably thinks silence
on this topic is good politics He may
not want to tell his old silver friends
! that he would not make a fight on
! the gold standard, and that they
must look to winning both houses of
congress before securing any affirm
alive action toward putting the
country on the silver basis. At the
Same time he may not want TO tell
his new gold friends. who excuse
their support by falsely alleging that
Mr. Bryan could do nothing to dis
turb the gold standard until the
sound money majority in the senate
was overcome. that he would do his
best to disturb it. That may be
good politics, but it is not good NOR
als-N Y. Tribune.