Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 22, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 October 1900 — FAVOR M'KINLEY AND CONTINUED PROSPERITY. [ARTICLE]

FAVOR M'KINLEY AND CONTINUED PROSPERITY.

PecuKar Position of the South* ern Business Men. Emphatic in Favor of Sound Money and Protection, and Are Satisfied to Let Well Enough Alone. The South is becoming thoroughly awakened to the fact that the policies of the Republican party—protection, expansion and sound money—are. those that will best promote the industries of that section of the country. The Manufacturers’ Record of Baltimore hasVollected another broadside of Southern opinion on the issues of the day, this time from bankers. The Southern bankers as a rule coincide with the opinions of the manufacturers, and here is what some of them say: E. L. Foster, vice-president of the Bank of Anderson County, Coal Creek, Tenn.: “While 1 was a Democrat and ▼oted three times for Cleveland, I do not see what could be done —from a mere human standpoint —that would be more disastrous to the business interests of .the country, and therefore to every interest, than the election of Bryan. The gold standard of money must be maintained, imperialism or no imperialism.” A. S. Reed, cashier, Bertram, Texas: “While a very large majority of people in this section will vote for Bryan for President, because he is their party nominee, still the honest conviction of the best business men is that they would really prefer to see Mr. McKinley re- 7 elected, believing that such re-election would the better tend to insure a continuance of the present prosperity.” H. F. Scliweer, cashier First National Bank, Denton, Texas: ‘T firmly believe that Bryan’s election would bring financial disaster over our beloved country, degradation to our flag wherever it floats; McKinley’s election, continued prosperity and all nations honor our flag wherever it is thrown to the breeze.” EL W. Showalter, assistant cashier, Ritchie County Bank, Harrisville, W. Va.:- “Democrats and Republicans both say that times are better now than eve? before in the country’s history. McKinley, protection and sound money is the cry from all lips.” Joseph S. JJavis, cashier First National Bank, Albany. Gu.: “The conservative business men of the South, almost without exception, regard the doctrine of free, independent and unlimited coinage of silver as a menace to the country’s prosperity. But what the result would be should Mr. Bryan be elected would require a prescience beyond human to declare with certainty.” W. E. Satterfield, cashier People’s National Bank, New Iberia, La.: “The country has never been so prosperous as since the election of Mr. McKinley. We want to see his good work continued. No Bryan.” G. W. Saxon, president Capital City Bank, Tallahassee, Fla.: “The political party that maintains an honest, stable currency, with open doors for foreign trade, will, in my opinion, best subserve the business interests of the country.” J. K. Ragsdale. Blair, S. C.: “The average business man believes that the election of Mr. Bryan to the presidency of the United States would cause a money panic.” F. A. Piper & Co., bankers, Uvalde, Texas: “We are doing well; be satisfied and let it alone.” W. S. Wilson, cashier Deposit Bank, Eminence, Ky.: "It is my opinion that the election of Mr. McKinley will be for the business interests of the country. Im-, perialism is only' a scare that we care nothing for. I am a Democrat, but I am convinced it is to our interest to make no change in the President.” i P. A. Ball, cashier American National | Bank, Fort Smith, Ark.: “This section of country never before enjoyed so great a degree of prosperity as at the present time. We are well satisfied with McKinley’s administration, and for my part apprehend that a change would prove most disastrous to every business enterprise.” A. E. Watson, president First National Bank, Marlin. Texas; “The business outlook is good. In our opinion the election of Jkfr. Bryan to the presidency would be very disastrous to every business interest iu the country.” William Powell, cashier Bauk of C\Aloden. Culloden, Ga.: “I am a Northerner. While he (Mr. Bryan) might not be able to foist his free silver issue upon the country, it would be dangerous to give him the chance to do so. and only for the race question, I believe that this would be the verdict at the polls of many thousands of the voters of Georgia.” O. F. Luttroll, cashier Bank of Brewton, Brewtou, Ala.: “It seems to be the consensus of opinion among the leading business men that the business and commercial interests of the country will be best subserved by the election of Mr. McKinley. No oue denies that tile election •f Bryan would be adverse to all business.” J. B. Carter, president Gribble-Carter . Wholesale Grain Co., Sherman. Texas: “As for presidential candidates I do not think It advisable to make a change at this particular time.", C. W. Arnett, Fafrnioimr, W. Va.: “Bryan’s election woul4 mean disaster to business, destruction of public confidence, the return of panics, the reduction of work and wages, and the repetition of the scenes of hardship which filled the land dtjring the last Democratic udministritlon/* O, O. JBoumau, Citizens’ National Bahk, Hillsboro, Texas: “I believe that the business interests of the country ‘^J^han