New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-14
names might be added those Of the Secretary or the
Assistant Secretary of State. W.
Ner- York, June IL, 1879.
AN ENGLISH VIEW.

L
LETTER FROM Mr.. WILLIAMSON, THE wELL-KNoWS
| BI-MEIAILIsT OF LIVERPOOL, TO AN ENGLIsf
SAN Francisco. Cal. June. 1879.
| SAMUEL SMITH, esq.
My DEAR SIR: Since my arrival in the
United States have had many opportunities OF discus
sing the silver question with intelligent men Of business
ana with very few exceptions have found them to DE
convinced OF the necessity the reconciliation OF Sill
yer on ed ratio to gold In other words. the almost
universal public opinion amongst business men Is III
favor OF bmetallism.
The apparent unwingness of tho press, and OF many
public men to declare themselves In favor OF our views,
has resulted from Oyersenstveness lest they should
be subjected to the stigma tfostered by the English
pressl of desiring to pay their debts In deprecated
metal-of virtually tavoriug repuGation-aud OF playing
into the hands of the of silver mines The ecc-
stations hurled against the advocates OF remonetzIon
IN the United States by press-parually reGchoed
by their own-have largely acted deterrants. They
have conduced the adoption OF very imperfect and
stilted legislation as to the coinage OF silver,
and have done much harm. or late, however
here as in England, the public sentiment In
favor of bi-metasm If carried INTO effect by accord
amongst the leading monetary powers, has grown
rapidly and men not deferred us they were from
ayowing their opinions. You may have seen In the
newspapers that ex-seoretary McCulloch recently
ayowed himself be bmetalllst in lecture delivered
TO Harvard University.
have just seen the resolutions OF the directors
of the Manchester Chamber OF Commerce and
regret to find them in antagonism to our views see
however that the attendance very small when THESE
adverse resolutions adopted and that the views OF
the banking fraternity have prevailed over those which
am sure largely permeate the mercantile and manu-
featuring portions of the community. The resolutions
are weak and egoisc. The first ignores the wants OF
the world and the practice OF nations for genera
tons past 10 both gold and silver as money,
and simply takes refuge In a selfish 1stheucsm III
favor OF gold as the more valuable metal The second
resolution cOnr dictOry and totally opposed TO the
arguments addressed on side-arGuments which 30
far Is have have not been met-and the third
which speaks lightly of the evils suffering from
as simply temporary Inconvenience" is an insult
10 the common sense Of merchants engaged in trade
with silver using cOuntries-Manchesers largest GUS
toners.
We have never maintained that the fall in silver was
in itself very disastrous, aud that rise In price was
the only be ardently pursued At present sup
pose the rise may be almost perplexing as the fall
was What we maintained that these fluctuations
most injurious 10 commerce, and that they cannot be
prevented while silver Is discarded money by the
leading monetary powers. They eau only be prevented
nv the adoption OF bi-meta lie legislation on
the part of these powers. The friction at present
ia iutolelable, and must be most detrimental
TO our commerce. When country
and our commerce are suffering IL fills one with
measure ondignatOn TO read Of those insular preu-
does which add greatly to tho existing friction and
tend so the perpeuaton and extension OF the
present distress.
Perhaps you may not have noticed the very serious
dimnuton the supply Of the precious metals in Cali
fornla this year as compared with last The following
is statement Of the gold and silver production OF the
mines reporting to Tie Bulletin here, including all the
COmstock mines: