New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-12-08

stringent, and the Treasury was doing its
utmost 10 push silver coin into use, even TO
the extent of bearing the expense of transport
ing that kind of money, and no other, to any
part of the country at the desire of anybody
willing to accept it. In effect, less than
$3.50. 900 in silver coins were added to the
circulation. AT that rate, if no more should be
coined. it would be over six years before the
coins now lying idle in the Treasury could be
got into USE And yet all reasonable men know
that no such increase can ordinarily be eX-
pected. and that there would have been no adj
dition TO the amount of such coin IN use but for
tbe unusual condition of the market during the
month. and the extraordinary means adopted
by the Treasury to facilitate their use
II is said by some however, that the silver
is an user because it is represented by
certificates. 1t is very strange that this plea
finds any acceptance. The promise of the
United States to pay silver is not in any re-
spect more valuable than its promise to pay
gold-namely, the greenback. 1t does not cir
culute as freely, nor serve as fully the purposes
Of money. If We are to have paper promises OF
any kind in use, it would be far better for Coy
eminent and people to issue only one kind The
paper greenback is as good rs gold everywhere,
with n gold reserve of only 40 per cent behind
it. But the paper certificate is not quite as
good anywhere, with 100 per cent OF silver
locked mp in dleness to protect 1t.
The ablest and most influential advocates OF
silver coinage in 1878 are now the very men
who are most earnest to have such coinage by
this country discontinued Judge Kelley pub
licly announced his conviction on that point
after his return from Europe more than year
ago. Mr.. Burchard, Director OF the Mint,
officially recommends the discOntinuance OF
coinage, although he was one of the most
Jealous supporters of the Silver bill IN Con-
grcss, and has since been one of the ablest de-
Tenders of that measure. Some If not all
of the Commissioners of the United States
to the international Conference are under
stood TO have arrived at the same opln-
ion. Mr. Walker and Nh Horton, two OF
the ablest writer's on the bimetallic side
in this country, advocate the same view. The
position of all these leaders of thought is pre-
ciscly that which was taken years ago, as soon
as the first Paris Conference had Jailed, by NJ.
Cernuschi and other distinguished bimctalllsts
of Europe. For on that side of the ocean
there is absolutely no dissent from the belief
that the continued coinage OF silver here has
operated powerfully to prevent international
agreement ~ To coinage.
The position of the Administration in this
respect, therefore, is precisely that which the
ableSt and most jealous advocates of silver re-
have taken. Indeed, among
capable and thoughtful men of that belief, we
do not know one on either side of the ocean who
does not now urge dscontinuancc Of silver coin
age in this country rs the only means of has
tening international accord on the subject.
The only objection thus far raised in this coun-
try that is not based merely on transformation
or prejudice is from persons interested in the
production Of silver, or their representatives,.
But these men surely do not want to have all
the efforts Of bmeta'liSts defeated. They
claim to he friends of silver and if they are
i'm truth, they cannot refuse TO listen TO the de-
libcrate opinions and earnest advice OF those
advocates of silver reconciliation who have
given the subject most thorough study. The
Administration, in dealing with this subject,
has addressed itself not to those who favor the
use Of one metal only, but TO those.
who wish silver restored to more general use
From them, at least, its argum ents arc entitled
TO respectful cousi Iteration.