New-York tribune., 1900-09-06
PERIL IN BRYANs ELECTION AGAIN
POINTED OUT.
HOW A FREE SILVER PRESIDENT MIGHT
CAUSE WIDESPREAD FINANCIAL
DISASTER.
,sY rrtrcnAru TO TIE rn1n1rSr. !


ments thoroughly expose the fallacies and
riddle the sophistries with which Mr.. Schurz,
who has great skill in "dialectics" had sought
20 transfer the responsibilities of the Bryan Ad-
ministration 0n case he should he elected) from
Bryan himself to a ninety day session Of Con-
gress. Mr.. Gage points out clearly and with
as much painstaking ease as though Mr.. Schurz.
with his experience as a member Of the United
States Senate, did not already know the fact.
that the election Of Bryan would sound
the death knell Of any and every attempt to
strengthen the Gold Standard law.
As to the probable effect business of an
official announcement OF Bryanite Secretary Of
the Treasury that he would redeem Treasury
notes and greenbacks with standard silver dol
lars. Secretary Gage II he had chosen might
have reminded Mr. Schurz Of the grave mis-
chief that was narrowly averted by the prompt
action Of President Cleveland when he discOv-
cred that an unofficial report was in circulation
10 the effect that the Secretary OF the Treasury
he'd decided TO redeem Treasury notes with
standard silver dollars at his own option.
Secretary Gage asks one question. to which 1t
Is 20 be hoped that Mr. Schurz will reply. It
Is this:
May not suggest that the way to secure
safety is not TO take power from those upon
whom you rely for protection and confer 1t
upon those whose action you may have good
cause to dread?
That question strikes the very heart OF Mr..
schurz's position and exposes it's absurdity.
THE sECRETARYs LETTER.
Secretary Cages letter reads as follows
Washington, September 4. 1900
Dear Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of yours Of the Sd instant, in which
you utter words Of criticism upon the
statements made by me in a newspaper inter
view published August 26, in which I ex
pressed the opinion that Mr. Bryan if elected
0O1rlH hNy he Sc 0f hl6
'perverse ingenuity, put the Government on a
silver basis, ruin its credit and bring incalcu-
able disaster upon the business interests of the
country.
You deny that the dangers set forth by in
that interview really exist and that any Presi-
dent will be able TO do what L declare might
be done, unless the Republican party, in con-
troll OF the Government in both the legislative
and executive branches. proves itself utterly
dishonest in its professed purpose to maintain
the gold standard" You say your denial sis
Tot based the reasoning Of those of your
critics who seek to show by figures that a
President desiring much to put the
country silver basis would lack the means
arguments sake all say on that point IL
would not seem, therefore, that there is any
particular difference between us as 10 what
Mr. Bryan as President could do under the law.
or in spite of the law as it now is.
It ought 10 have been apparent to you, as 1t
no doubt was that 1 speaking Of the pos
sibilities Of the case under circumstances and
conditions they now exist; but you proceed
TO point out how at the next session Of Con
fion could be had which would completely fore
stall unfriendly action toward the gold stand
still cherish the firm set purpose declared by
him on September 16, 1896, at Knoxville, Tenn.
where he said:
If there is any one who believes that the gold
tained / warn him not to cast his, vote for me;
of 81 tt this country longer than am able to get F''
NOT FALSE ALARM.
You rebuke me in polite terms for sounding
false note Of alarm disquieung the business
community, and especially when uttered by one
In authority.
am not at Ill skilled in controversy, and
have had practice in dialectics, but I will in
dulge in a few words in the way of rejoinder to
your criticism.
n In the first place. then, no more serious dis
u acter could overtake this country 0n this 1
think you will agree with me) than the break
ing down Of the gold standard and the adoption
Of that principle OF money for which Mr.. Bryan
contends. In 1895 you yourself are quoted as
having said:
The mere apprehension Of a possibility Of Mr.;
our cog npo a & l S eT bes has ~
@ caused unto untold miIlo1s ] OF our securities rites to be
oers are already recalled, a large number Of man
restricted their operations enterprise is already
q saftsSouTaged :l Ei and and 9 9ear,y PaIaiyzed And
possibility, what would be the effect OF the event
the destruction Certain to be wrought 6y the bus 10
ness disturbance that Mr.. Bryan's mere election
would cause.
myself am unable to perceive why the same
consequences. in a minor degree perhaps would
not ensue now which you so forcbly fore
shadowed then.
A FALLACIoUs PROPOSITION.
Now. when consequences SO great as these are
involved. the forces operating TO inaugurate
them should be resisted at every point Even
the possibility Of danger should be avoided 1t
is familiar fact, and one altogether too much
in evidence that an administrative officer filled
with hatred and contempt of a particular law
can, by perverse ingenuity, practically nullifv
Its operation You point out in your letter that
If the course indicated by me in the interview
Bryan the Republican Congress- which meets
in December next, could In advance restrain him
by new and more effective mandatory provis-
ions. The proposition that in case of Mr.
Bryans election the present Congress can tie
his hands so that he cannot give effect 10 his
expressed intention appears 10 me to be falla-
cious II would require new legislation by a
party whose policy would have been rejected bv
the people through their last expression at the
polls Further than this the next session will
expire by operation Of law on March 1 1901
The free silver minority would be justified by
thelr constituents in using all the resources of
onatory procedure TO prevent such legislation
ana against such tactics affirmative legislation
such as you suggest would be probably impos-
sible. Can any one doubt that Mr.. Bryan would
urge action by his friends in Congress to pre-
vent the further strengthening Of the policy
winch he oenounces criminal?
THE WAY TO SECURE SAFETY.
Your remarks upon this point seem TO indicate
p tpat you rely upon the exercise Of the power
alreaoy conferred upon the Republican party
70 prevent the country from experiencing dis
Asters which Mr.. Bryan will, If he can bring
upon u.s. May l not suggest that the way 10
secure safety is not TO take power from those
upon whom you rely for protection and con fer
u upon those whose action YOU may have good