The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-11

new. The people who were victimizcd b.
it in 1896 need not be this year Every
thinking man on the continent knows tina;
it is but an idle bluff en- the part of the
trusts. and one that may react upon them
dangerously il they attempt TO repeat the
operation. Business will go on just the
same under Mr.. Bryan as IL would under
Mr.. Mckinley. There is not an economic
condition in sight to cause the least
change. as far as the prosperity of the
country is concerned. The election of Mr..
Bryan would, of course, mean that the
inonopolistic privileges and power guar
antced to the trusts by the Hanna Me
Kinley combination would be curtailcd
and polccd under Democratic rule. but
that would not interfere with business
activities. 1t would only cut down the
excessive 2rofits of ? small and seleC:
body of plutocrats. who have so enriched
themselves from the toll and oppression
Of the people that they are able to fur
nish corruption fund of twenty-five or
| thirty million dollars to secure four more
years of opportunity to plumber and en-
slave.
When approached by Hanna and his
| combination OF magnates and asked to is
sue the usual bullying and lying notice
to his men. the individual employer
should reflect that compliance means
violent assault upon and a crime against
the suffrage. When such things az open
coercion are tolerated the free ballot be-
comes an impossibility. and s. popular
vote a contemplate farce. The man
who attempts, by threats of loss of en-
ployment. to control the political action
Of his employees, thereby makes of him
self an outlaw, and is entitled only TO
the treatment that an outlaw deserves.
The Republic cannot live if such traitors
are permitted to.
Coincidently with the evidence that the
old intimidation trick is to be repeated,
it is learned that the bankers. insurance
companies, and other institutions who
are creditors OF the people in various
ways and degrees. have been appealed 10
to put squeeze upon their debtors ev-
erywhere letter from Perry S. Heath
Secretary of the Republican National
Committee. addressed to Gen. Frank
Reeder. Chairman of the Pennsylvania
| Republican Committee. was published
yesterday morning. The text is rs fol-
| lows;
I've deem il advisable at this time To solicit
The assistance OF tn. general officers of life isr-
sGce companies. savings banks, and building and
! iosn associations in our campaign work. -Four
wears ago these officers. in their own way, hut
effectively and cheerfully. through their own rep
( ro>sn;atiycs impressed upon their patrons the
,f.rct that the election OF Bryan and III to would
lave upon their savings-that it would derreciate
investments in these corporations at least 20 par
cent. and in other ways rendered Us valuable -
si.,ance.
=, think il would be advisable for vow imnredi
atrly. and in your way, to personally address
tie presidents or other general officers OF the life
insurance companies. building and lolu assccis-
lion, and savings banks in your State. soliciting
their assistance in the manner indicated. Moic
than any other class the owners Of life insurance
I policies and patrons of building and loan associa-
tons and savings banks realize the great iinpor-
, lance attaching TO this campaign and especially
a. /; relates the free coinage OF silver adv"-
Gated by Mr. Bryan. And more than any other
ias, the officers Of these associations realize the
crash that would come TO them should Mr.. Bryan
lie elected next November. We cannot but be-
cve that you will have little, ii any. trouble 20
secure their active support and most earnestly
suggcst that you give early attention 10 this sub
| icct.
/ The communication tells its own story.
| The money lenders are asked to do what
! they did in 1896. namely to curtail cred
| its. refuse accommodate threaten fore
| closures. and all the rest of it. II the
american people allow themselves to be
| hulldozed by such methods for the second
time. they may as well give up any hope
of ever again having chance to vote as
freemen. If employers are to coercc la
! Dor and financial institutions are to threat
en- small business men and farmers Sue
cessfuliy. the masses might as well quit
and resign their liberties to the trust,
transportation. and national bank oligar
cby.