West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1900-10-18

AT the present moment of time there
are more large steel merchant ships
being built in American yards than
at any other time in the history of
the United States. One of the
largest steel working plants in the
United States is being constructed.
The tin plate mills have very recent
ly resumed operations. Times are
not what they were year ago but
there have been some large enter
prises established by Republicans
as well as by Democrats within the
past six months. If the stability of
business and the proftableness of
contracts were dependent upon the
result of the present election these
business men would not have in
vested that money until that result
was known. Whatever the result
of the election may be, there will
not be business concern engaged
in industry or commerce which
will close its doors on account of
that result.
Another feature of false politics
now being worked in West Virginia
is on the matter of finance. The
Republican bankers claim to be
afraid that the Democrats, if placed
in power, will change our present
standard. The only law passed for
the purpose of restoring the silver
standard or even purporting to be
passed for that purpose was passed
In 1870 by the Republicans. There
nave been but two straight out free
silver platforms ever adopted One
was by the Republicans in 1868 and
the other was by the Democrats in
1890. In 1896 the Republicans
declared in favor of the "present"
standard until bimetalism should be
secured through an international
agreement. The "present" standard
was the standard Of the Democratic
administration of Grover Cleveland.
The Republicans claim that they
have carried ont this platform and
the claim is justified by the facts.
The Cleveland standard is still with
us. The Republicans assert that it
has caused a prosperity which ex-
isted from 1896 to 1900. If this
be true it must also have caused
the panic which existed from 1903
to 1896. However that may be,
it Is certainly true and wellknown
to the Republicans that it would
be impossible to make change in
the standard within the next four
years no matter what might be
thought Of the desirability of do
ing so.
No merchant, manufacturer or
banker is going to seek to lessen
his own business and consequently
his own profits on account of the
result of the election in November
If that election results in favor of
the Democratic candidate and every
indication is that it will so result.
those who believe in the principles
OF Democracy will be inspired with
confidence and will work with new
zeal in the upbuilding Of trade and
commerce Those who prefer that
President Mckinley had been re.
elected will simply work harder
than before in order to prevent the
catastrophe Of their individual
profits being curtailed
The people can rest assured that
the fight against the Democratic
candidate is being made now and
will cease when he becomes Presi-
dent Of the United States. This
country has made several violent
changes in administrative policy
but there has never vet been q time
when the people Of This country
allowed such a change 90 interfere
with their business. The matter
Of trade and commerce is not con
trollcd by the Executive bot by the
business men themselves and those
business men are not going 20 viii
'ngly curiail their own profits by
reducing the amount Of business
transacted
The people Of West Virginia
need not De alarmed az this fake
politics which is now being played
ono their State u is sign Of weak
ness. It's species Of coercion
which must result to the detriment
Of those who employ IT,