The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-05-21

so he sat down and wrote a commu-
nication to the Oregonlan calling Mr..
Fulton's attention TO the fact that his
position was all wrong, that 1t was
subversive Of the country's interests,
that he was directly inviting ruin TO
the widows and orphans of the coun-
try. and that he should call halt.
The following extracts from Mr.
Geer's letter, appearing in the Orego-
nian OF November 80, 1894, serves to
illustrate his steadfastness of purpose
regarding public questions, as well as
TO show how Mr.. Fulton is ready to
espouse any cause that promises him
self success. That Mr.. Geer even at
that time fully understood Mr.. Full
toms predominatlng ability to adjust
his sails to suit any passing breeze,
orphans or no orphans, Is shown In
the delicate sarcasm peryading the
closing paragraph.
Mr.. Geer converted Mr.. Fulton
from his free silver lunacy" at that
time and Mr.. Furnish afterwards by
his campaigns for sound money in
Umatllla county in 1896.
oeer's Letter to Fulton.
Every free silver man Is in favor
of free coinage at ratio that seems
lust TO himself; on the same footing,
am in favor of free coinage, also
In order to obtain a clearer under
standing of this question, | thought
would study up on the condition OF
Mexico, a country which has adopted
the free coinage system, and l decid.
ed that there was no better authority
than Senator Mitchell and my friend
Fulton from Astoria SO | hunted up
Senator Mitchell's interview as pub.
llshed in the Oregonian or September
%, this year, in the course of which
he states that:
During all our financial and indus
trial depression the people Of Mexico
have been highly prosperous and hap
py-not IA single railroad in all this
time has gone into the hands of a
receiver, and all desiring employment
have had IT,"
But Mr. Fulton in his interview
now being extensively copied
throughout the state, tacitly admits
that Mexico has failed TO sustain free
coinage, but says that is no reason
why we cannot, and adds:
"As well compare the ocean to a
rat hole as to compare Mexico, with
out business, industries, commerce or
commercial or business energy, with
this, the grandest agricultural and
commercial nation of the earth"
SO there we have il in a nutshell
as to Mexico, from the two most
prominent men in Oregon who have
declared In favor Of free coinage
Senator Mitchell says the people Of
Mexico are prosperous and happy"
while Mr.. Fulton says they are with.
out business" have no business en-
ergy" and, worse than all else, live in
rat hole"
Now, I submit the question 10 Char
ley What is the advantage of living
In the "grandest country on earth" II
you can get along better without
business energy and be happier in
a rat hole?" Happiness is the prin.
ciple thing we're after While so
journing in these low grounds Of sor
row, and since Senator Mitchell says
II can be found in greater quantities
In what Mr.. Fulton calls a rat hole.
than elsewhere, then am for the rat
hole every time-l6 TO 1.
One conspicuously lucid illustration
like this one relating TO Mexico will
carry conviction of the common mind
whore any amount OF theorlzlng
would prove stale fiat and unproHta-
ole, like seed falling ON stony ground,
wasting its very fragrance on the des
ert air.
Those who claim to be the best
friends of silver invariably speak of
gold as the rich mans money" !
don't know, but II seems to me the
best things rich men have are none
too good for poor men. Most of our
fault is found because the rich have
to get hold OF things that
we wanted ourselves, and II they
have chosen gold as the best money.
hen we want that kind of money too. |
We want anything the rich people |
nave got and always did
l don't know, but II seems 10 me
hat II |, as poor man, can earn
silver dollar just as easily as can
gold dollar, and can pay any kind of
iebt with silver as well as gold. land
cam that just whore legislation has
'een "unfriendiy" TO silver is not
lute apparent,
don't know, but il seems TO me
hat II YOU owed the rankest free sill
'er man on earth 5000 and you OF Il
cred him the money in silver or
old, and he should take the pile of
old In preference land he would II
hat his action would show why gold
lways has been and always will be
the money OF the world"
| don't know. but A saep,s 10 ma