Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1866-01-09
THE SPECIFIC CONTRACT ACT
IS THE ACCUSED GU1LTYP

IS THE ACCUSED GUILTYP
The Supreme Court having granted a
re.hearing Of the case or which they lately
rendered a decision p%ronouncing the Spe-
ci6c Contrac. Act unconstitutional, the
State question of currency is before the
people again, as well as specially opened
in presence OF our Supreme Judges. And
while lawyers are preparing to address
the full Bench, we, as faithful journalists,
improve the season to argue with the peo-
pie on this all-important subject.
In occupying the position which we
announced OF yesterday. we repeat. the
News i consistent with its record. Not
only is this the case, but every days OBJ
serva,ion has served to increase the strength
Of oar conviction that our position IS
RIGur, and the only one that can be main
tanned before an intelligent, rejecting, in
dustrious community.
You and we, sir, can afford to forego
"precedents.' and all the technicalities
that supply matter for lawyer logic, and
come down and dwell upon the simple
propositions of expediency and justice IN
volved in the case.
Let US see if we correctly and agreeingly
understand the circumstances that now
actually and relatively surround us, in
connection with this subject:
Two years, or more. ago the green
back question" was first sprung upon our
people. 1t was then claimed that there
was an element fairly in the discussion
which, it is certain, can not now be called
"A part of the programme for debate. We
refer 10 the element OF Patriotism. Surely
there never was a more loyal population
than is composed by the vast majority OF
the voters of Gold Hill and Virginia City.
But. how overwhelming was the popular
yerdic, then rendered against the intro
duction Of legal tenders as the currency OF
the State: Then, il would have been Of
some slight service, perhaps, to the Ma
tional Government, if we had adopted the
sreenback currency. Even tina, strongly
urged probability OF help to the Federal
Treasury did not prevail upon our people
TO foreso the positive possession of coin
for a~auctua,ing ~greenback currency. Most
OF us then believed that greeubacks intro
duced would add to wildcat speculations
the fury OF gold gambling both together
constituting a most disastrous period OF
excitement. Our contributions for the
Sanitary Fund were poured forth with
%unstinting generosity; but irredeemable
Government paper was still the commodity
of the State, not the currency Of our Sec
ton Of the country. NOte, the question is
merely one of policy our National re-
spect and love has nothing more to do
with any sensible consideration Of the
subject. What we would not consent TO
do when Patriotism could be, at least,
preached as a part Of the argument OF
persuasion, shall We now do under a hasty
and mistaken conception Of expediency
It is proper to ask, right here has there
been a revolution in public sentiment. such
as the above remarks might suggest as un
derstood: No. But it is broadly asserted
that the people have a new view and con-
clusion in the premises. What we have
already submitted will tend as well as to
show that such a change is unwarransed
BY any alteration in the main considera-
tons involved, as TO meet and contute the
declaration tina, public opinion has really
changed in this respect.
We candidly confess. some few persons
have recently declared themselves in favor
Of the g~reenback currency. converts to
that side of the house; persons, too, who
are not in the habit Of regularity chopping
on this question for q consideration. And
from their speech and advocacy we pro-
pose to gather the reasoning hat should
be cou~nterbalanced and overthrow, in
order that the truth of the situation ="
may be made known and acknowledged
OF all men, and the present currency OF
Nevada indicated a. the only safe and
jus. currency for the State.
For the last two years we have not adj
vanced in prosperity. Depreciation, de-
preston has been the order Of the day.
So j, is said. And so. to a certain degree
and in Il certain n il actually has
been. II. however. we could stop to con-
slider the real facts in this connection,
much that is now deplored would be con-
verted into food for congratulation. Wild,
feverish times have indeed passed away,
Blu, the number OF actual Laborers, who are
paid their regular four and five dollars pei
day for mining work, has been increased
within the pas, two years ; and that, de-
spite the occasional lump discharges Of
workmen from mines and mills that have
been howled over so loudly by the less IN
t~ellicent favorers of greenback currency
Have not some Of US, in a measure, mis-
49,
taken the sensible settling dozen OF ousi'
ness affairs-if we may be allowed the eS'
pression-for disaster and ruin while
it has been walled by the lazy dervishes Of
street brokerdom. The shades OF night
are falling fast" because the paper lantern
is not allowed TO shine on the scene; has
1t not been simply u that the fires OF
reckless speculation have gone out. given
place TO the sober, but clear and steady
illumination of the Sun Of Business?
Compare for yourself, if you have the
opportunity. the condition of the laboring
men here this winter, with their prospects
and advantages last winter. Has not en-
ployment increased How many are
now seeking work and cannot find il
OF those out of employ, wha, proportion
nave been fairly tried and found. from ont
cause or another, disqualified from the
kind Of service here required of them