The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-09-06

Washington, Sept. 6.--Secretary OF the
Treasury Gage has addressed the follow
ing reply to the recent letter OF Carl
Schurz: .5t-4.s4..
washington. ID. c.. Sept 5. 1900.
Dear Sir: have the honor to ac-
knowledge the receipt of yours of the Sd
inst, in which you utter some words of
criticism upon the statements made by
me in newspaper interview. published
August 2s, In which ! expressed the
opinion that Mr. Bryan. IL elected presi-
dent. could by the exercise of consid-
cradle 'perverse ingenuity put the gov
ernment upon silver basis, ruin its
credit, aud bring incalculable disaster
upon the business interests OF the coun-
try.
You deny that the dangers set forth
by me in that interview really exist.
and that any president will be able to
do what ! declare might be done, unless
the Republican party in control OF the
government I'm both the Legislative and
cxscutive branches, proves itself utterly
dshonestssin its professed purpose TO
maintain the gold standard
F'You say your denial is not based upon
who seek TO show by figures that a presi-
dent. desiring ever 80 much 10 put the
Ncountry on silver basis, would lack the
means to do So
AN ADMISSION CLAIMED.
"on the contrary. you admit for argu-
ments sake all | say on that point IL
would not seem, therefore. that there Is
any particular difference between us as TO
-. N
under the law or I'm spite OF the law az IL
now is.
.lt ought 20 have been apparent to
you. as IL no doubt was, that | was
speaking OF the possibilities OF the case,
under circumstances and conditions as
they now exist; but YOU proceed to
point out how. at the next session OF
Congress. which will meet in December
legislation could be had which would
completely forestall unfriendiy action
toward the gold standard even IL Mr.
Bryan were elected. and should still
cherish the frm-set purpose declared
by him,on September rs, 1885, at Knox
viles Tenn. where he said: If there Is
any one who believes that the gold STAN
dard Is good thing, or that IL must be
maintained. warn him not to- cast his
vote for me. because ! promise him
that Il will not be maintained I'm this
country longer than | am able to get rid
of ~
''You rcbgke me In polite terms for
sending "A false note of alarm. disquiet-
ing to the business community. and es-
pecially SO when uttered by ono in au-
thority
BY WAY OF REJoINDER.
~ am not at all skilled I'm controversy
and had no practice i'm aialectics. but I
will indulge I'm few words In the way of
rejoinder 10 your criticism.
.'In the first place. no more serious
disaster could overtake this country dn
this think YOU will agree with mel
than the breaking down of the gold
standard and the adoption of that prin-
ciple OF money for which AIR Bryan
contends In 1876 you Yourself are
quoted as having said The mere APP
prehcnsion' of possibility OF Mr..
Bryan's election, and OF the consequent
placing OF our country upon the silver
basis. has already caused untold mil
lions of our securities to be thrown
upon the market
Scores of business orders arc already
recalled. large number, OF manufacture
ing establishments have already stopped
or restricted their operations. enterprise
Is already discouraged and nearly para
lyzed,
And If these are the effects OF mere