The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-12-04
ReadJustmsnt oftbe Coinage system

Closely connected with this general
subject Of the resumption of specie
payments is one OF subordinate, but
sill of grave Importance. refer to the
adjustment of our coinage system by
the renewal OF the silver dollar ss an
element in our specie currency, en-
dowed by legislation with tho quality OF
legal tender TO q greater or less extent.
AS there is 10 doubt of the power Of
Congress under the constitution 10 coin
money and regulate the value thereof,
and as this powar covers the whole
range of authority applicable to the
metal, the rated value and helagal tender,
quslity which shall be adopted for the
coinage, the considerations which should
induce or discourage particular measure
connected with the coinage belong
clearly to the province OF Iegis-
stive discretion and OF public
expediency. Without iDtruding on this
province Of Legislation in the least,
have yet thought the subject Of such
critical importance, In the actual cOndi.
ton of our atfairs, as TO present 81 occs-
SION Tor the exercise OF the duty imposed
by the constitution on the President OF
recommending 10 the consideration OF
Congress such measures rs be snail judge
necessary ard expedent. Holding the
opinion, rs | do, that neither the inter-
ests OF the government nor Of the people
of the United States would be promoted
by dispsraging silver, Re one o! the two
precious metals which furnish the COIN
age Of the world, sld that legislation
which LOOKS - maintaining the volume
of intrinsic money 10 h5 full measure OF
both metals as their relative commercial
values will permit, would be he ther un-
Just or Inezpedient, | must sk your
indulgence TO q brief and definite state
meut of certain essential features. In
any such Legislative measures which /
ieel it my duty 10 recommend / DO net
propose % enter the debate repr-s nted
on both sides by such able d.sputAnts 10
Congress aud before the PsDpls and IN
the press 81 T. the extent 10 which the
legislation Of any one nation can control
this question, even within it, own DOr-
ders, against the uuwritIeu Avs Of tFsce
or the positive Laws ol other govern
ment5. The wisdom Of Con-
zress III shsping sny particular law
Lhat may bG presentel tor nay
approval, may wholly supeEcede the ue-
cessity 0. M entering into these cOnsId-
egatloni, and l willingly avoid either
vague or intricate luqu!rlcs. l. IS Only
the plain aud prscticsi traits ci such leg
issilon tina. ! desire 10 recommend e
your attention. In sIy legi.lauHu pro
vidIug for a silver coinage, regulating
it's value and Importing - II me quality
/ OF legal tender, II seems - Ins OF great
/ importance ths; Congress should no! Lose
sight Of its seton IS operating IN ."o-
fold capacity sud n tWo dr'nct d'fec-
tions.
Il the United States government we're
| free from pubic dept, ~ legi sisslve deal
/ ing with the question ot silver colnsge
uld be purely sovereign and govern
ma-tsl, under no restraints 5u! those cf
Cua .ituaonsl power and tbe public
god O. affected 5v the proposed iegisls.
ton. but 10 the sctusl circumstances oi
the nstion, with : yss! p1o.c deb. dis
tributed very widely s-yas our oWl
citizens, and held II Sreat amounts s4so
abroad, the nature q toe silver coinage
+ measure az affecting this relation Of tnt
yyyerumeL. % the holders y. .4e publI
debt becomes 30 element in any PropOsec
legislation Of the highest concern. The
obi. CATION of the public faith tfsascsnd'
81 questions Of profit or pubic sdVac
tsge, o,nsrvtse is unqueslIonsbis msin
tensnce is the dictate So well OF th'
highe=. expedieacy az Of the mo5
necessary duty, and will ever Be CAREFUL!
guarded By Congress sod the peoPl'
alike.
The public deo. Of toe UaItet Stste-
10 the amount Of s7Z9,0OO, 900, bears II
terest 81 rate Of 8 per cent and SIOo'VtJ.
900 st the rate OF per cent, The oni.
! uRy in vhlch the country cnn Be FeIlevei