The Bemidji pioneer., 1900-10-18
BLUM.
GERMAN AMERICAN
FOR COLD STANDARD. .
Is the Paramount Issue of the
Present Campaign.
Bryan's Bogics, Imperialism and Mill
tarisrn Cut No Figure with the
German-Born Voters.
can Interview with August Bunny

tan Interview with August blum.)
Mr.. August Blum, cashier Of the First
National Bank OF Chicago, intends to
vote for the reelection Of President Nc
Kinley
Mr. Blum is one Of the best representa-
tives in Chicago Of the type Of Germans
who have gained, in this country. the re-
spect Of fellow American citizens, for in
tegrity, industry and ability. He was
cashier Of the Union National Bank; but
after the yecent absorption of that insti-
tuition by Che First National, he was
made cashier Of the First National. He
lis generally recognized throughout the
West as a leading banking authority, one
whose judgment in connection with the
various complex questions that come be-
fore every banker is almost infallibiy cor
rect. II # 5y u
In politics he is Democrat, and was
always prominent supporter Of Grover
Cleveland.
The following are questions put to Mr..
Blum, and the replies he gave:
O.. Would the election of Bryan benefit
the business interests Of Chicago, Of the
whole United States. and the German
American citizens particularly2
"a. The election Of Mr.. Bryan would,
in my opinion, be great misfortune to
this country, and therefore to Chicago,
and therefore to German-Americans and
to every other kind Of Americans. Amer
ican citizens Of German birth are not a
class by themselves.
q. What, in your opinion, is the para
mount issue of this campaign?
IA. The paramount issue Is that which
is in the peoples minds, not in the party
platform nor in the speeches of leaders
necessarily There is one thing in which
we are all vitality concerned, and that is
the inyiolability of the country s standard
Of value For quarter Of a century we
have battled for 1t. At the last moment
to surrender to the enemy would be the
height Of folly. / know Of no other is
sue comparable to this one in Importance.
Talk OF imperialism is disingenuous.
Much as we may differ about the desira-
bility Of the Philippines MS colony, we
occupy them now and largely through the
help Of Mr.. Bryan. The thing is done.
@. What do you think Of Bryan's
statement about the recent German loan?
a. 1t is very difficult to follow the tor
tuous road Of Mr.. Bryan's utteranccs.
-Four years ago tried persistentiy to rn-
derstand his utterances about the stand
ard of value, but gave it up at last in
despair. To construe our ability 70 ABB
sorb foreign loan, as evidence Of bad
times, is decidedly Bryanesque. We
could not loan money to foreign govern
nents il we were not in a prosperous con-
dition. When Mr.. Bryan undertakes to
prove the contrary it may give hin plrls-
ure, but it will not convince any one.
O. Do you think that this country has
prospered during the last four years as a
result OF Republican policies?
# Al. Yes; the country has proSpered DUR
ing the last four years. The best, in my
opinion, that can be legitimateiy said of
the policy Of amy party is that it does
not stand in the way OF normal business
development which would mean prosper
ity. That can be said of the Republican
party. During the last four years free
play has been given to industry, frugality
and to the natural productiveness of the
country. There has been no attempt at
interference by tampering with the stand
ard of value. which would have meant
destruction of prosperity.
@. Do you think Bryan is a safe, solid,
wise enough man to be President?
A. answer this with most emphatic
NO.
O. How do you think German Ameri-
cans, as class, will vote In the presi-
dental election this fall?
a. They will vote according to the die
tates Of their conscience. I have too much
cor f;derce In the good sense of my coun-
trymen to be doubtful as to the outcome.