New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-30
SCIENCE AT BUFFALO.
THE s11yER QUESTION DISCUSSED.


EMINENT CHARACTER OF THE NOMINEES FOR OFFICE
IN THE ASSOCIATION GOSSIP ABOUT BISHOP
coxE-A SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION OF THE
SILVER observation-disclosures RESULTS IL SILVER
BIC MADE LEGAL TENDER
lyRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENTS OF THE TRIBUNE!
BUFFALO, Aug 28.-TO-day the nominations
of officers of the American Association for the Advance
mcnt of Science announced These have been tee-
grapbed 10 you 1t customary to act on these nom-
nations when announced but for some Unexplained rea
son the election was postponed till Wednesday lhefe
r. however no opposition ticket; doubtless the nom-
uees will be elected In the selection OF its officers Tor
the year the association has been guided largely 10y the
desire TO have at the helm OF prominence IN original
research well Of general celebrity Inc choce IN
this particular could scarcely have been more fortunate
There were not than half dozen names for the
Presidency association ut any time before the NOM
mating committee The votes In committee were almost
wholly confined to favoring Profs Newcomb, Barker,
Young and Newton. aud 1uctuated in giving one or
other OF these small insufficient majority Prof. o. f.
Barker would probably have been nominated on the last
ballot, but before it was taken he made a speech
Withdrawing his name from the candidacy. lie
thought that the position Of President of the association
ought to be filed by older man, end one more gen
orally known abroad as well at home. This with
drawal Of Prof Barker left three names, cur1Ously
enough all astronomers. 1t may here be mentioned in
partial explanation that the Presidency aternates with
each year between Sections and b. and that II was AS
turn this year. being devoted to mathematics, physics
and chemistry The speech Of Prof Barker decided the
nomination in favor OF Prof Newcomb, though on the
score Of age there cannot have been choice between
them they both rather young men, and should
not care to hazard guess that Prof Barker Is the
younger. But Prof NewcomD is unquestiOnaby OF wide
reputc and has received many Of the highest honors
which foreign scientific bodies can bestow His great
works on the perurbaons Of the larger planets are best
tIr lao haas "a
new set of laurels from the public popular writer on
scientific subjects for the magazines.
Prof E. c. Pickering, nominated as VicePresident and
preside Section A. Is Professor Physics In the
Boston Institute OF Technology. He has written valu-
able textbook entitled Physical Manipuatons and has
made many important researches in his own province OF
science His general fame mostly from his con-
nection as one Of the editors OF The American Journal Of
Science and Arts.
Prof o. c. Marsh Of Yale College nominated as Vice
President and 10 preside Section B-the popular
Secon-needs introduction TO our readers His re-
searches In Western paleonoogy, his plnck In collect
ing fossils under extraordinary difficulties and pers,
and his marvellous In filling out the bare inter
walls between many different species OF extinct animals,
have given 10 world new, connected chapter In It's
history. lie too has been much brought before the
public his share in breaking up the Indian Ring having
brought his into general notice in fact there are
few names in the whole membership of the association
SO widely known
Prof A. r. Grote President OF the Buffalo Academy OF
Sciences and now nominated General Secretary Of the
association has done much good work IN the science OF
entomology OF his recent papers announce the
discovery OF and very striking facts bearing on
glacial phenomena and the development theory. He
has especially deserved this honor at the hands OF tho
association to his efforts more than TO those OF any
one man. ia due the interest which Bunoo people have
| taken In science and in its representatives.
The pronunciamento OF Bishop Coke against Prof Hux-
lev has been the theme Of much animated conversation
in Buffalo circles, and notice that Episcopaians arc
among the most prominent in denounciDg it, The most
important part OF todays proceedings was the reading
by Prof Barnard OF the second part OF tho report OF the
Committee Weights, Measures, aud Coinage Ii dis
cussed the question OF making silver legal tender
With the partisan aspects Of this question the committee
| have 10 concern The report began with few clear
definitions showing the difference between greenbacks
| and actual money No authorization Of Government can
change the reality things make the reenbacks any
| thing moro than the promise TO pay money. Although
the letter Of the law in respect TO greenback may be en-
forced spirit cannot be carried out no mere legisa
ton can make greenbaok worth dollar by stating
| that IL is one. The value which tho green
| hack will purchase In the standard metal Is
the test OF the value Of tho paper dollar ;
no stamp authority make the latter buy more than
II Is worth. coinage founded on double standard
soon finds It's level. The cheaper metal, compared with
the valuation stamped It CON- will take the place
OF the other circulation the dearer metal will go back
directly TO the melting pot De exported for that pur
pose II the debtor get gold for less than s face
value when coined he will pay his debts IN gold; II he
can get 1t for silver he will pay in silver so long
as there any variation In either metal from their coin
age value the metal will always be demonetzod,
reduced TO mere bullion Under the coinage Of 1892
silver that cost SIS worth SO 80 when stamped by
the mint As a consequence gold entirely disappeared
from circulation and for thirty forty years mere
object of curiosity coin. Whenever country has
adopted the double standard there has been an inevitable
tendency 10 degrade the currency 30 manifest 10 tbis
tendency the foremost European States have gen
orally shaped their policy toward gold standard per
hitting subsidiary silver coinage OF an Inferior yaluo
| merely for the purpose OF making change.
The repor further that the present and recent dis
tnrbance OF the value silver show that II has become
utterly unfit for standard. The inequality OF value
which 1t has reached great 10 produce heavy
WILSON'S In the trade OF the East The disturbance IN
the value Of silver likely 20 subside, nor can
IL for many years again settle standard value. We
have had experience uctuatng value for crcnla
ton The uncertainty of the redemption OF the green
back is the chief OF the premium on gold But III
silver should made legal tender would find an i'm
mense increase OF the fuctuatiOn. The silver dollar
would only buy so cents worth The greenback would
fall below this somewhere TO 10 Everything that
bought and sold in the whole country would have its
value disturbed universal distress in all The circles OF
| trade and industry must inevitably follow.
| series OF resolutions this subject, which have
already you by telegraph then proposed
by the committee and adopted by the Association with
! out a dissenting vote.
Alta late hour in the day the subject ably
discussed in paper by Prof T. Il. Elliott. As this paper
OF striking character wish to do 1t better Justice
than s possible in hasy abstract and shall 1t
| till Tomorrow mail W.. C. W.
| THE STATES RETURN IN THE MOWRY CONTRACT