Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-23
CARSON TRADE DOLLARS.

| MY WHICH nave Ueeu at Ouce tu0 IhSo VI
incompetent critics and the admiration
of sagacious and we'll informed observ-
ers. 1t is power-a commercial and
monetary powsr-possessed Of that fac
ulty which becomes acquainted with the
weak side of moneyed schemes and saves
its facts for their growth, value and op-
portunity. Perhaps it is actuated BY a
conscience. Who shall divine its mo-
tives and say that it means to be elsbo-
rately and effectively wrong? Knowing
its strong suspicious and its sensitive
uncharities, may it not be true that it is
sometimes played upon by designing
men who have its confidence? Is it not
used as an instrument, ct times, by I'M
worthy men? A sense Of charity
prompts the conclusion that its creduli-
ties are more sensitive than its mendaci-
ties are influential. At all events, the
| leading editorial article in that paper Of
Monday evening of this week. vehs-
ment, circums,antial and undertaking
as it is in denunciation Of the manage
ment of the Carson Mint and the char
acter Of the trade dollars there coined,
indicates either sinister design grow
ing out OF a sordid willingness to do an
injustice, for gain. or misplaced indig-
nation having its origin in deceit, OF
! which itself is a victim. We herewith
quote the whole article in the number of
the Bulletin for March 90, headed A
New Phase OF the Silver Question" L.
reads as follows:
1t appears from n report Of a special
agent OF the Treasury that the trade dol
lars coiped at the Carson Mint 90 not
contain the amount Of silver prescribed
by law. The discrepancy is said to vary
from a half to two cents on all the re-
cent coinage. This most unexpected
revelation explains some things in con-
nection with the silver problem which
were very pulling. We now know
why these coins are no. az readily re-
ceived In China as they were when they
were first emitted. The Chinese are
very expert in all matters relating to
coins. They acquire dizziness Of hand
which is sure as the most delicate scales,
There are Chinese accountants who can
detect in the mere process Of counting
any coin that is under weight, TO an al
most incredible fraction. As soon there
fore as the trade dollars were discovered
to be in a sense fraud the market for
III ~
the demand contributed to the glut Of
silver, which has already caused some
monetary arrangements in this city.
We need also 10 longer inquire why
Mexican dollars are coming in such large
quantities from the neighboring Repub-
lie, notwithstanding the surplus of trade
dollars. The last consignment from
that quarter reached hard on to $780, |
600, principally il this coin. If there |
had been nothing wrong with our trade |
dollars, the expectation of these Next !
can coins would be equivalent to send |
ING Goals to Newcastle. Until the rere-
lation of the doings OF the Carson Mint, |
this curious movement of silver was not |
applicable under any known laws Of
finance. But the fraud had still |
other and wider consequences. |
Goods purchased in China were valued |
at this port at 81 03 for every dollar. |
The Collector had no other course to |
pursue under the law. 1t was officially
understood that these trade dollars were
worth 81 %. To admit goods purchased |
with them at one dollar would be an un.
der valuation for which the Collector
would have to suffer. We have there
fore been sending coin to China presum-
ably worth 81 03 before the fall of silver,
but which were really worth only frac-
ton over q dollar. Farther, when the
goods purchased with them entered the
Custom house the valuation was neces-
sarily raised 3 per cent.
This is very bad and disgraceful
business. This tampering with the
intrinsic value of the trade dollars is
one OF the highest offenses that could
be committed against the Government.
Coins have been sent abroad bearing
its stamp and guaranty which We're
frauds. They We're, in fact, debased
coins in the very worst sense of the
term. There is nothing upon which
civilized governments feel more SELL
sitively than in this matter OF coin.
To have the stamp Of great govern
ment like that of the United States
upon a positive cheat is not the least
which its people have had
to endure. twill take long
lime for US to recover as a nation,
among the suspicious races of Asia,
rom this blow at our national reputa-
ion. To attempt to explain away the