Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-07-10

how far the mills are from starvation.
[Applausel. He told how the south
had whipped the great cotton fight OF
1908, and urged that the fighting be
kept up He said he was not worried
much about tariff now, because we
have more factories than they have.
When he sat down the audience gave
him generous applause.
Hon. John Gary Evans.
Hon. John Gary Evans was the next
speaker. He began by declaring that
the south has been ground down for
forty years; that we have produced the
wealth that has made this country
rich He referred to the period of
fourteen years ago when by reason Of
the systematic and long continued con-
traction of the metallic money of the
country, prices Of products had been
reduced to starvation figures. The
remedy suggested at that time was
that our products should be put in
warehouses, and that the government
should guarantee notes against 1t. At
that time our friend, this old sailor
from the sea (Mr. Rhett) ridiculed us.
Today he is before you advocating
currency scheme that cannot be differ
entiated from what was then known
as the sub-treasury plan. Mr. Evans
next reviewed the origin Of the nation
al banking system, as war measure,
and showed how 1t operated to give
the moneyed people who remained at
home during the war a mortgage on
the assets Of the country. He attack
ed Mr.. Rhett's currency scheme, ar
guing the danger and unwisdom Of
placing the issuance Of money in the
hands Of the banks. He said that the
plan would create a money trust, the
most iniquitous trust in the world.
They have the cheek to come here and
tell you that a dollar bill with all the
American people and all their wealth
behind it, is not as good as a dollar is
sued by the banks. Mr. Rhett tried to
tell you that money issued by the
United States was no good because 1t
fell, by par. Who made 1t fall below
fell below par. Who made II fall below
par? Why that was during the war
at times when there was no certainty
that the government would last more
than twenty -four hours. At this point
Mr. Rhett fished a note book from his
pocket and announced the premium
over gold during several years after
the war. Mr.. Evans explained that
this was brought about by the national
banks, who, having cornered all the
gold raised howl for specie pay
ment and refused to sell their gold to
the government except at double price.
We want a currency, Mr.. Evans de-
clared, that the banks cannot corral
and control. The speaker traced the
evolution of money from the days OF
barter to promises to pay, mortgages,
substitute certificates, etc. He said
that the United States government
uses gold and silver instead Of paper
only because it is more durable; but
khnk Ice, hn fol- nd
confidence Of the government Is just as
good a medium Of exchange as either
gold or silver. On being informed
that he had only three minutes more,
Mr. Evans complained that the limit
was too short-there Is not time
enough for a man who has sense, to
show 1t, and there Is not time enough
for fool to expose himself. He said
that this is the most important elec-
tion that the country has had for years
and he complained that there was but
little opportunity to educate the peo-
pie on the real issues.
Mr.. John 2. Grace.
Mr.. John P. Grace of Charleston,
was the next speaker. He began by
saying that he Is a Democrat and this
IS a Democratic state. Geography
makes 1t so. He is a Democrat how
ever. not as a matter Of geography.
but as a matter Of philosophy. He said
he would be a Democrat anywhere.
He said also that he is a Democrat at
all times He advised the audience to
beware of the man who would be a
Democrat as matter Of geography or
expediency. Reverting to Charleston's
local politics, he said that 1t had not
been necessary to be personal and he
hoped 1t would not be. He said not a
single word Of a personal character
had escaped his lips. I made him ad-
NIT that he had not voted for the
Democratic ticket in 1895. He claim
ed that he could not remember wheth-
er he had advocated ship subsidy. The
Democratic platform declares against
trusts. He Is the father Of the water
front trust. The whole water front Of
Charleston Is absolutely owned by the
Atlantic Coast Line and the Southern
railway. all except the terminals Of the
streets that front on the water. Said
Mr.. Rhett had signed an ordinance
giving these railroads all the privileges
of the water front. Mr.. Grace asked
Mr.. Rhett If he denied the charges be-
ing made Mr. Rhett said that he de-
MED every word Mr.. Grace had said;
but asked that Mr. Grace go and get
through, after which he would make
his statement. Mr.. Grace undertook
to ridicule Mr.. Rhett's claim that
South Carolina needs a business man
in the senate. Said that Mark Hanna
was the first business man" in the
senate. He mentioned also Penrose.
Elkins and other members OF the
"Rich Mans club" Referring to Mr..
Rhett's statement that Mr.. Grace had
offered to stay out Of the race If he
folr foi N lOn1l
politics, Mr.. Grace called attention to
the fact that Mr.. Rhett had not said
that he, Grace, personally had said
anything of the kind. Mr.. Grace said
that Mr.. Rhett was not Bryan man
ten days before the meeting OF the last
state convention. Mr.. Grace read the
proceedings Of the Charleston county
Democratic convention to show that
Mr.. Rhett had voted to table resolu-
lions instructing for Bryan. He read
a newspaper clipping to show that In
1904 Mr.. Rhett was for Parker. He
concluded by telling the joke or the
for their political affiliations, and one
who was a Democrat because he
wanted the coon that had been Offer
ed Mr.. Rhett Is Bryan man, he
said. because he wants the coon
nn6II anu
Mr.. Grace took his seat. Mr.. Rhett,
as he had indicated before, arose from
his seat and made a statement to the
effect that not a single charge or in
sinuation that Mr.. Grace had made
against him, had a shadow of founda-
ton in fact The statement was greet
ed with loud applause.
Mr.. Grace arose to his feet in an at
tempt to reply The audience began
rolling the floor, and he could not be
heard. At length the noise quieted and
Mr.. Grace commenced again. The
noise was resumed in all parts OF the
hall The chair called for order and
Mr.. Grace commenced again with the
same result. Finally after this dem
onstration had lasted few moments,
Mr.. Grace was permitted to ask Mr.
Rhett, Are you not member or the
oity council 2" II am" replied Mr..
Rhett. "And you deny that these
things were done with your approval?'
Mr.. Grace continued.
Mr.. Rhett arose to his feet and said:
IF he wants to go to Charleston win
me and discuss all these matters be-
fore people by whom we are both
known. why l have no objection; but
| see no reason why we should under
take to wash all this dirty linen here
before people who care nothing about
it."
The audience had already shown its
impatience at Mr. Grace. Several
times during his harangue he had