Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-10-25
Take Time for Sound Measure.


A friend, who undoubtedly is sin.
cere in his convictions takes us Il
task for copying from a Democratic
exchange somewhat sharp criticism
Of the administrations currency bill
From time to time we have republish-
ed keen comments from various sides
of this big question: question SO
big that we believe many of those who
jump into its tank and splash around
have not even rudiments of financial
sfimming. If large number of the
splasfess were To keep out, as we have
tried to do, there would be far less fog
of juggled technical terms in the po-
l.tieal atmosphere.
Let us, i'm few lines, explain how the
present situation looks to us. The vac
iiiating attitude and recent action of
the administration. in the Mexican
business and the Pankhurst case, con-
yinees us that partisan control of the
money of the nation, however able and
honest the tIio o.
would be an extremely hazardous risk
for the country. The country has
been calling for currency reform
and 1t does not want fiatism. In other
words, the people trust themselves
!. much further than they trust any man
or set of men whom they might elect
c;ol off re GhnYllI
be kept safe from political manipula-
ton or charges of manipulation. We
believe the administration bill, had 1t
been possible to drive it hastily
through Congress. would have left our
currency affairs sorrowfully open to
partisan manipulation.
Mr.. Bryan's hasty and fervid procla-
nation Of the beauties Of the bill was
enough to startle careful man into
money principle in such honest and
clear-headed men as Cleveland, Buck
ner and others of the Democratic par
ty, acting with sound money Repub-
licanism, once saved this country from
Bryan and his fat money scheme. On
tbree separate occasions has Bryan and
his finaneial theories. been rejected by
the pehbIt0f thlsscountry. Once again,
: all the forces of sound money. regard
less Of politics, have risen, not against
currency REFORM not against govern
= -
mont CONTROL but against the dangers
Z Of partisan purpose. -,
: MIR. Bryan sproelaims. that the bill
j Isl His own In spirit and purpose; that
il admits state banks to, share with
the national banks the advantages OF
the currency systematic unto his
I Popuiistic scheme-and that the issue
of money will be under control OF
"a board appointed by the President
Therein, to our mind. lies the CHIEF
danger-control of the issue of money
by n political board, and that fact
seems TO most strongly recommend the
plans TO Mr. Bryan. Well, that is
where we cannot agree with him Oh
the. friends who blindly swear by him
7. And we certainly have as GOO: q Tish'
TO q we'll based opinion as he has t
s. his diseredlted one.
90 1t seems to US that the administra
ton plan. which. we are happy TO state
u is being radically amended in the Sen
Il ate, might have been largely dicta-
i ted by Mr.. Bryan. For paper money
II issued directly by the government ant
= redeemable in lawful money" (Which
nay be other promises to pay is the
+ e,ft .'Greenbac kism" of Uncle Soloi
! ! and his steers, and the ''Populism' o
: Bryan.
The people have asked for "curren
n. cy reform but they want BuSi
NESS measure and not Demoerati
measure or Republican measure.
gncu.d not be crowded through as a
5. administration measure. All interest
should combine to improve presen
conditions. For an executive to insis
on. other than that, savors of narrow
mindedness and bigotry. Let US hav
uatient and considerable hearing.
The country bankers in session
Boston, recently, declared. I'VE desir
TO become members Of the federal sys
tenn and assist in making 1t the sue
GEES 4 ought to be and can be made
IT is unnecessary for us TO state ths
these men were CT all political partit
and they had no partisan or uiterit
motive. Why should we or the admin
istraffon suspect them. or deny ths
they know more about it than we {
the administration? These banke
crystallize the thought of millions
thrifty and progressive citizens. The
seek no quarrel but insist that the
exDerience and wisdom be recognize
and respected in answering the
mands of the American republic 4
s.c6rr~rcy reform.
lack Frost had better give Massach