The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-11
SEATTLE, TUESDAY. SEPT. II.
a Different Matter.

The possibility OF change TO the sill
yer standard was a serious matter four
years ago. II In far more serious now.
Let every voter look the conditions
sauarely in the face. In 1896 the indus
tries OF the country were at low ebb.
and gold coin was boarded In banks and
trust deposit vaults. II had not entire
~ vanished or ceased to be used as
money. becauAe the people did not be-
lieve that Mr.. Bryan would be elected.
But II was put where they could get
their hands on II at a moments notice.
II WAS employed as the reserve fund.
The moment that a 8 yer victory was
announced. gold would have commanded
premium and ceased TO be used az
money altogether. The currency would
have been contracted to that extent.
This was very serious menace. mod
Grated only by the fact that Industry
was already paraiyxed and investment
at standstill.
This year such change would be
far more disastrous. II would be tho
difference, as far as the country Is con-
ccrned. between running into train
going al the rate OF sixty miles an hour
and one going ten The height Of the
embankment over which the country
would have been precipitated then was
but fraction of the terrible distance
through which II would tumble now.
For the financial and industrial con-
ditions are reversed. Gold has come
out of hiding and has rushed to us
over seas since we declared this coun-
try a safe place for ~. We have been
selling more than we bought. and taxi
Ing payment In the precious metal. We
have been digging II out of the earth.
And We have been doing business at
such tremendous rate that the shock
OF collision with disaster would be
frightflH 10 contemplate.
Measure II by the only figures that
win a, all tell the story. The amount
OF gold in existence In the United States
on Oct. 1. 1895. was ssOo.64assi. II IS
true that this was all corrailed as We
have said. but let the figures stand as
they are The election OF MIR. Bryan
would have meant the disappearance OF
this vast amount OF coin as currency.
II would have become a mere commod-
ity, changing hands only upon the pay
meat OF q nuotuating premium. as t.
war times II would have formed no
Part OF tho circulating medium. The
terrible effects OF such a contraction
were well understood a. that time BY
every student OF the money question
But what wculd happen now3 The On
tire stock OF gold IN the country on
the nrst day Of July, 1900, Is given by
the treasury department at si.ess. oai .sta
lsa!s 10 mere than 70 per cent IN ex-
cess OF the 1895 total II is almost one
half % the total stoak % money In ex-
lstenee in The unised States. And 4, Is
not bearded. bu, ls paid cut freely In
all kinds ~ transactions and passes
from hand 60 hand among the people.
II forms In this section. with silver.
practically the eatire amount 81 money
IN actual daiiv use. The sudden with
dFawai from the channels Of trade and
banking Of this vast amount. more than
one billion dollars. would create dlsas-
ter - Widespread as TO battle aescrip-
ton.
Yet that Is what woald happen 10 Mr.
Bryan we're to ne elected president. The
menace Is exactly the same. as FAR az
the reality ~ Il goes. shat Il was ia
1888, Mr., Bryan rs the same man. hold
Ing the same views. standing on the
saua platform. with the financial feat
IRE OF it explicitly reaairmea Mega
lively he has given direct personal con-
nTmation OF what we allege. Il has been
shown that he could, Il president. bring