New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-01-02
AN HONEST DOUBLE STANDARD.

A SUGGESTION THAT BOTH SILVER AND GOLD COINS
. BE MADE WITHOUT SPECIFYING THEIR kELA-
TIVE VALUE on THEIR FACES.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: Your article in a recent issue on " The
Intent OF the silver Bill maness, II may venture 10
express OPTION just discrimination which has been
too often lacking in those who contend for the main
tenance OF single gold standard You recognize that
the reconciliation silver does necessarily involve
the paming upon creditors for more than 1t Is really
worth, and that among those who demand the former
there some at least, who detest the latter Have
the politicians ascertaned the proportion OF this class
OF those who might be brought into II, but who as
the issue now made up the gold standard and
the silver swinde driven the wrong side In the
danger OF the passage OF the disastrous
Bland Bll-a far in its morals ana In its
consequences than absolute repeal of the Resumption
Acts it not experiment worth trying to reform
the issue so "a tn bring side all those
who In favor Of honest dealing with creditors.
and leave the advocates If fraud to stand
by themsclvesi Need We despar-have we, AS
loyal citizens any right despair, until weiave MADE
faithful trial-that on such an issue the decisive
majo ify counrymen would be found on the side
of honor and honesiyi Silver is important American
product there is silver interest which Is legitimate
American interest aud which is discrcdied, and perhaps
to come extent damaged. by the exclusion OF silver from
free use as money.
Can not afford TO remove. 10 some extent,
the disabilities which the present law imposes
silver and thus enable the honorable malntainers
OF this interest cooperate with US In maintain
ing payment OF bonds in gold accordance with
the universal the time these bonds were
issued The great the iusuperabe difficulty Of the pro-
posed double standard" s in fixing by law ratio OF
value between the two metals which shall corresp0ndto
the ratio in fact Why not solve this problem by letting
alone altogether Why hot provide for the Tree com
of gold aud the free coinage oil silver ana leave ther
rslhtive value 10 be determined by those VINO use
them Suppose law enactIpg that from the time
shall Except 10 contracts already eS-
isng) cease to denote any kind or American
money thencefort The denominations OF our money
shall be- say, the eagle aud its fractions denotng go
only. and say, the trade dollar and us fractions dch0h8
silver only Under .neh lay al ust. 1ian n fSn
trnsicons or the parties Z" contract may IT they
pleas agree alternate price,. one gold and one
silver. IL to that We should thus nx our cur
ncy ON enduring and satisfactory basis, In nc
cUancc with the principle recognized by almost al en-,
lghicned thinkers finance leaving the Use OF gon
and SILVER bc regulated by the natural course OF 0sF
ness. undsturbed by Governmental NEEDING, the
Government limiting its own Once To simple
certicatCn OF the weight ana inen.ss OF the cOiir
SuppDsing such double standard established WLht
should Lee the rule for the payment or taxes AS TOT
imports. al valoren stsiriu would natui-
ally imply gold duties goods NGluea IN gold AT the
places from which they shipped, and silver duties
ol goods amilarlY valued In silver; spe'ihc duties
where imposed, might fol ow the same rue. or W.,
!utics mi KIT pay 4bc at the option OF the importer IN
gold or ratio Of value 10 be prescribed ~ te
Secretary the Treasury often the changes Of TIE
market .Oud call for readu'mca anu on me r'port
Ito b, made puhcl Of ali impartial commits ION Oh say
presidrnis of National banks. This latter e might DC
npplcd Ia Internal taxes also: or those Whch are
usIaliV paid IN large amounts might without any barl-
far ~ rctlIcd be paid in silver. Experi"n'e would
soon show vhai disbursement. Of the Government could
bet made gold and what In SILVER aud the arIo
priIiions could be made accordingly. III r.
BFODs.gH, Dec. 20. l-'7