Richard Parks Bland, a fiery native son of Hartford who later served as a Missouri congressman for 24 years, embraced bimetallism, or “Free Silver,” as a solution to widespread indebtedness. Known as “Silver Dick” (1835-99) and noted as an orator, he also denounced monopolies, a high protective tariff, and imperialism. He was a forerunner of another famous champion of “Free Silver,” William Jennings Bryan.