Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-01-19
BLIND AND LAME.

Some time since, the Mail and Breeze, in
verv facetious manner, proceeded to do up Mr.
Bryan as to his position on the question of free
silver. Tine Mail and Breeze, in substance
observes that Mr.. Bryan deals in "axoms, y
a.d that one of his axioms is that, if our gov
ernment adopted the gold standard, prices
wouo decline. Of course, the Mail and Breeze
points TO advancing prices and ridicules Mr.
Bryan, calling him "false prophet" Also
it asserts that this government has, virtually
been on gold standard for forty years.
To follower of Mr.. Bryan, great deal Of
the matter in the article referred to is to say
the least. a matter of news. This kind ol
news is also Republican. Either Republican
editors misunderstood Mr.. Bryan, or misrepre-
sent him. 1t may mendacity or stupidity, and
we prefer to think it is little of both. AS a
matter of fact, Mr.. Bryan holds that contrac-
tion of the currency lowers prices, and that ex-
pansion of the currency advances prices. Mr..
Bryan stands, and has stood, for free silver, OF
the double standard, for the very important
reason that free silver would prevent contrac-
ton of the currency, and so prevent decline
in prices
Going back to first principles, Mr.. Bryan
has not proved himself false prophet.
1t administration reports are true, our cur
rency has materially expanded since the last
presidential election Our nation is now up to
twenty-five dollars per capta-about half
what Bryan's school of fnanciers would con-
4: for tha Of will 1e6
of our population; and if we had had free sill
yer. prices would have advanced still further,
and prosperity would have been on much
more permanent basis than at present. We
say more permanent because the world is upon
the single standard basis, and upon the output
of gold rests the future of the prices. If the
gold find decreases, the worlds currency will
contract, and sharp contraction is sure TO
bring panic and bankruptcy. AS to what
has occurred in recent discoveries OF gold mines
there was no prophet abroad four years ago.
There is none abroad now. Four years ago,
the Republican party claimed to favor inter
national bi.netaism. In the light OF its pres
ent attitude, the party favors small volume OF
currency, and aims at preventing its expansion.
The party's cry OF international bimetalism"
was subterfuge.
The Mckinley party is disappointed. Hav-
ing uc prophet-not even Hanna-the great
gold discoveries OF the last few years were not
foreseen. The wonderful output of gold has
brought about expansion OF the currency and a
rise in prices.
Labor is up per cent, and trust goods 1oc
per cent. If we had had free silver, labor
would have advanced to much higher point,
in spite OF the trusts, for the trusts would have
been checked.
1t is plain to thinking men that the volume
of currency. is cornered, and that the corner
favors trusts; and the greatest and most damn
ing thing of all is the money trust.
AS is seen, labor has little part il the appa
rent prosperity OF our country. Labor alway:
receives full dose, under the gold standard
when there is panic, and very minute dose:
when seeming prosperity arrives.
AS we have observed, no prophet can forese
the future as to gold mining For aught w
know, there ar. no new mines tC discover. W.
do know that the mines discovered can be ex
hausted. We cannot produce gold, and Natur
has gone out of the business. When the gol'
mines are exhausted, will the stock on ham
suffice for the growing needs of an advancing
civilization? The anti-republican party, O
the Hanna stripe can give but one answer
That patty has assumed that money is tn