New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-06-23
NEW ARGUMENTS FOR THE TIMES.
COLLECTOR TREAT URGES THE NEED oE
HARD WORK IN AN EDUCA-
TIONAI CAMPAIGN


To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: believe that William Mckinley win be
elected President provided that early. persist
ent, conscientious and effective work be given
to the canvass by his supporters. The prestige
Of past victories IS never safe assurance or
coming ones. One Of the chief elements OF
danger Is that so much history has been accom-
plished. There have been many great Ques-
lions to the fore and so many have been settled
that 1t takes great deal Of mental digestion
for the average man 10 thoroughly aSsimilate
them. Nothing but an exhaustive discussion OF
these results and the policies promulgated
can make the average voter quite sure OF his
own Judgment
The arguments on the tariff and the currency
have become IN the main familiar 70 the people,
and whatever varying changes each campaign
has brought have been immaterial 20 the main
question. but we face campaign that re-
quires the best oratorical talent the country
affords. II IS all important that not only
Judcious selection of political literature be made
and literally distributed, but II Is imperative
need TO employ the best OF well Informed and
instructive speakers who can meet the aIlega-
tions OF Bryan with convincing explanations
The old time speeches that have done duty for
half century will prove inadequate in this
campaign. Indeed. It is rare opportunity for
the young man 10 enjoy forensic discussion; no
such absorbing issues have been presented to
the voter since the first and second election OF
Lincoln. The free coinage OF silver with the
16 TO ! proviso still fingers In the Democratic
horizon We must not forget that many OF Mr..
Bryan's followers still regard silver as the para
mount issue.
The enactment OF the new banking law has
stimulated anew their hatred OF this system.
Many Of them have been greenback idolators
FOR m
free and unlimited coinage OF silver. and the
old stock phrases Of concentration OF capital and
the money trust Will be made TO do usual ser
vice
They have not relinquished the silver dogma
They are abiding their time when they can
force 1t to the front by new legislation Their
Idea OF flexible currency is unlimited issue
cording to their idea OF the needs OF trade and
commerce.
Many former sound money advocates ridicule
the idea of the danger. because Of the recent
enactment by Congress thar gold Is the legal
standard Of value They point to the fact that
the Senate Is overwhelmingly Republican, and
although Democratic House and Democratic
President might be elected the cause OF sound
money would be safegUarded by the Senate. We
should not be too sure. A political landslide
would in a short time lose US control Of the
Senate. We must take into consideration resig-
nations death and possible OBJECTIONS which
revolution in politics often inspires During the
first Of the Harrison administration all re-
member the defeat we encountered in the tran
sition Of the majority in the Senate 10 that OF
the minority. We must still be on guard and
not permit a single intrenchment to be carried.
While We contribute all the great prosper
ity of the country since the enactment Of the
Dingley bill. must not forget that TIE
memories of the people are not SO sharp in pros
perity they in adv ersity. Wen informed
business men assure me that in the event OF
MCkinley's reelection there will he another
business boom of tremendous magnitude. arts
ing out Of our great increase of National wealth,
and that the bounds of provincial isolation
have been sundered and we seek world wide the
mortS of trade In this event no nation will be
go potent In revising market prices ourselves.
IF Bryan is elected StagnatiOn VIII prevail
war on capital ends in a war on wages
The outcome is destructive TO both capital and
labor.
When in 1893 the doctrine of Protection was
defeated in the election of Cleveland and Mr.
Mckinley asked 20 modify the high claims
at the time he refused and practically said:
Now Is the day Of our justification, now the Op-
portuntty is at hand to test the benehcence OF
Protection as against that of Free Trade and
we know that out of the Middle West IN the
election Of 1898 the first turn OF the tide In
his election as Governor OF Ohio.
CHARLES H TREAT
Collector OF Internal Revenue for the Port OF
New-York
New-York, June 10 1900