The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-08-26

Special Dispatch TO the post-rnte'lgencer.
WASHINGTON Aug. &~Secretary
Gage today gave out an important inter-
view showing that Mr.. Bryan, II elected.
could break down the gold standard said
he. IN part:
There is no doubt Mr.. Bryan could
order his secretary of the treasury TO
make payment In silver Of all public debts
payable in coin. and for all current d's-
bursements of the government as we'll
which amount 20 million and half 20
million and three-quarters dollars per day.
That he would give such order Is ccr-
tain, IL he Is OF the same mind he was IN
1896 for he WAS then quoted as say
Ing: ~ there is any one who believes the
gold standard IL a good thing. or that
Il must be maintained, l want him not
60 cast his vote for me, because ! prom
Use him st viii not be maintained IN tho
country longer than l am able to get rid
OF tt"
'sDo YOU think II would he practicable
10 control q sufficient volume of silver to
make tho payments YOU refer tor"
'ffe would have great difficulty In do
ing that at once. The treasury az the
present time Is very firmly established
upon the gold standard. But the an-
nouneement by the treasury department
OF It's purpose 20 pas silver In settlement
of all interest on the public debt not
specifically payable IN gold. and 20 make
its daily disbursements 10 ita creditors IN
silver. would stop the inflow OF Eold ~
at least very largely diminish payments
OF gold. and correrpondlngiy Increase
payments In the treasury OF silver and
silver certificates.
ut. therefore. might he anticipated that
with a good deal OF preverse ingenuity
tho time would come. at no distant day.
when all tho revenues OF the government
wonld be paid 20 II IN silver dollars, or
silver certificates. and all disbursements
made hy n would he made In silver dol.
lars or silver certificates There would
thus be established a circuit 81 silver out
OF the treasury into the hands N the
people, from the people 20 the banks
from, tho banks into the custom house
and into the hands OF collectors Of In
ternai revenue,
THAT would, no doubt. Sc Accomplished
and the government. properly speaking.
would is~ on silver basis"
would prose Dt.astvous.
How would this sncc, the credit ~
the Rovernmcnt7'
Most dinasironsIy. hnv. no doubt
The movement innnguratod rs proposed
would give sense ~ Insecurity. Under
the adverse influence utson general hslsi-
ness affairs business would he depressed
Industry checked and The government rev.
enuss would be very much diminished.
Instead ut surplus we NOnii 3fotAAniy
witness n deficiency"
How would thla state % things IN gov
eminent finances affect general business
conditions throughout tbs conntrYgi
THE effect would BE- depinraiae. Mo-
hody would W able 90 measure accurately
IN. Influence ngsan his own affairs of such
government action. Everyone wOuh be
In state nf fear. and when THE eeot,la
are afraid they viii, as HoHaone has
snid. either rifn or hide Commercial DUH
moss would eucca@d ths preaHnf cornrner.
ciai activity. and Ne would again witness
thar industrial paralysis which character.
lNei the years is9 and isS. when ihs
question ~ wliai ~ De the standard
aNiiaiea she pujsic n1ind