Editor's Note: Each week we reach back through the We Three Jerks Archive to see what was on the minds of our favorite jerks during that week in history. This week's edition looks at the simmering Free Silver Crisis of 1895 and William Jennings Bryan's attempt to push through Congress legislation allowing for the free coinage of silver.
Thursday, 6 May 1895
Farmers a yoke around the Democratic Party
Yesterday, Nebraska Congressman (and former fish-wrapper) William Jennings Bryan, along with Missouri Congressman Richard Bland made a charge for Congressional approval of a measure that would allow the free coinage of silver throughout these United States.
Now, I know that the economic distress of 1893 has been horrible for everyone, but the fact that farmers are struggling due to the current economic situation is no reason to abandon the long tradition of the gold standard. Bryan and his cronies are driving the Democratic Party toward electoral catastrophe. With next year's election looming it is looking more and more likely that either Bland or more likely Bryan will emerge as the party's nominee. What then? Does the Democratic Party honestly believe that Bryan's fierce, and often rousing, tirades against free enterprisers are going to ensure him access to the Oval Office?
The Democrats are facing a formidable, well-financed opponent next year in William McKinley. Now is the time for Democrats to forge a new electoral coalition. Farming in this country looks to be a dying institution. By pinning their electoral fortunes on a policy engineered to placate one group of people, the Democrats will be unable to reach enough voters to ever win the White House again. They must re-think the already assumed nomination of Bryan, lest they face permanent extinction as a national party.
Mr. John Orbendorfer
That Silver Ain't Free, Boys
Check out this steaming dog turd (link via nebraskastudies.org):
Reformers in the Farmers' Alliance and other groups decided that backing the money with more plentiful silver rather than gold would make it easier for debtors to pay off their loans and remain on the farm. More money in circulation would make it easier for farmers to make some of that money and pay off their debts.
Oh wait, I forgot. There's this thing called fucking inflation.
Kelley L. Ross sez:
A flood of silver from the New World caused a devastating inflation in 16th and 17th century Spain; and gold strikes in California, Australia, South Africa and the Yukon produced inflations in the 19th..."
William Jennings Bryan is an undeniable jackass. Huzzah to the Republicans for looking at McKinley as their next presidential nominee, a rational voice in this ridiculous bimetallism debate.
Mr. Marc Nelson Jr.
Mr. Jason Drapinski did not offer comment on the free silver crisis. He was several years into his "I-think-I'm-Henry David Thoreau" phase. That was followed by a brief "I-think-I'm-Matthew Brady" phase.
So, that was the week that was. Hope you've enjoyed this culling through of the Jerks Archive. Next week we'll look at what the Jerks had to say about the Boston Tea Party. Here's a preview:
Marc: These fools should quit their bitching and be grateful to be a part of the greatest empire in the history of man.
John: Who do these guys think paid for the French and Indian War?
Drapinski: Not available for comment. In the midst of his "I-think-I'm-Samuel Johnson" phase.
Tony
