Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-12-16
friend, we battle upon the silver field in an

on This subject L nave made careful ana
earnest endeavor since the adjournment Of
the last Congress. To this end delegated
gentleman well instructed in fiscal science, to
proceed to the financial centers of Europe,
and, In conjunction with our ministers to
England, France and Germany, to obtain a
full knowledge of the attitude and intent of
those governments in respect of the estab-
hshment of such an international ratio as
would procure free coinage of both metals at
the mlntS of those countries and our own.
By my direction our consul-general at Paris
has given close attention to the proceedings
of the Congress of the Latin Union, in order
to indicate our interest in its objects and re-
port its action.
1t may be said, in brief, as the result of
these efforts, that the attitude of the leading
powers remains substantially unchanged since
the monetary conference of 1881, nor is it to
be questioned that the views of these govern
ments are in each instance supported by the
weight of public opinion. The steps thus
taken have therefore only more fully demon
strated the uselessness of further attempts at
present, to arrive at any agreement on the
subject with other nations.
In the meantime we are accommodating sill
yer coin, based upon our own peculiar ratio,
to such an extent, and assuming so heavy
burden to be provided for in any internation-
al negotiations, as will render US an undesira-
BILE party to any future monetary conference
of nations.
1t is a significant fact that four of the five
countries composing the Latin Union men,
toned in our coinage act, embarrassed with
their silver currency, have Just completed an
agreement among themselves, that no more
silver shall be coined by their respective gov
ernrnents, and that such as has been already
coined and in circulation shall be redeemed
in gold by the country of its coinage. The
resort to this expedient by these countries
may well arrest the attention of those who
bat S1,cooa1 without SHOCK
or injury, in the attempt to circulate upon
its merits, all the silver we may coin under
the provision of our silver coinage act.
The condition in which our treasury may
be placed by a persistence in our present
course, is matter of concern to every patri-
otto citizen who does not desire his govern
ment to pay in silver such of its obligations
as should be paid in gold. Nor should our
condition be such as to oblige us, in a prudent
management of our affairs, to discontinue
the calling in and payment of interest-bear-
ing obligations, which we have the right now
to discharge and thus avoid the payment of
further interest thereon.
The so-called debtor class, for whose benefit
the continued compulsory coinage of silver is
insisted upon, are not dishonest because they
are in debt; and they should not be suspected
of desire to jeopardize the financial safety
of the country, in order that they may cancel
their present debts by paying the same in de-
preciated dollars. Nor should it be forgotten
that it is not the rich nor the money-lender
alone that must submit to such a readjust-
ment enforced by the government and their
debtors. The pittance OF the widow and the
orphan and the incomes of helpless bene-
ficiaries of all kinds would be disas-
trously reduced The depositors in savings
banks and in other institutions which hold in
trust the savings of the poor, when their little
Accommodations are scaled down to meet the
new order of things, would, in their distress,
painfully realize the delusion of the promise
made to them that plentiful money would i'm
prove their condition.
We have now on hand all the silver dollars
necessary to supply the present needs of the
people and to satisfy those who from senti-
ment wish to see them in circulation; and if
their coinage is suspended they can be readily
obtained by all who desire them. If the need
of more is at any time apparent their coinage
may be renewed
That disaster has not already overtaken us
furnishes no proof that danger does not wait
upon continuation of the present silver
coinage We have been saved by the most
careful management and unusual expedients,
by combination OF fortunate conditions, and
by confident expectation that the course of
the government in regard to silver coinage
would be speedily changed by the action Of
Congress.
Prosperity hesitates upon our threshold be-
cause of the dangers and uncertainties sur
rounding this question. Capital timidly
shrinks from trade, and investors are I'M
willing to take the chance of the questionable
shape in which their money will be returned
to them, while enterprise halts at a risk
against which care and sagacious manage
ment do not protect.
As necessary consequence labor lacks en-
ployment, and suffering and distress are WIS.,
tied upon portion of our fellow-citizens
especially entitled to the careful consideration
oh. al
lation. No interest appeals to us so strongly
for a safe and stable currency as the vast
army of unemployed.
l recommend the suspension of the COM
pulsory coinage of silver dollars directed by
the law passed in February, 1878.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT
The report of the secretary of war is here
with submitted. The attention of Congress is
invited to the detailed account which it con-
tains of the administration of his department.,
and his recommendations and suggestions for
the improvement of the service.
The army consisted, at the date of the last
consolidated returns, of 2 154 officers, and a.
705 enlisted men. The expenses of the de-
partments for the fiscal year ended June 30,
1885, including S13, 1874 AGO for public
works, and river and harbor improvements
were S45, $50, 9995
Beside the troops which were dispatched
in pursuit of the small bands of Indians who
left their reservation in Arizona and COM
mitted murders and outrageS, two regiments
Of cavalry and one of infantry were sent last
July to the Indian Territory to prevent an
outbreak which seemed imminent. They re-
manned to aid, if necessary, in the expulsion
of intruders upon the reservation, who seemed
to have caused the discomfort among the In
dams, but the Executive proclamation warm
ing them to remove was complied with with
out their interference.
Troops were also sent to Rock Springs,
in Wyoming Territory, after the massacre of
Chinese there, to prevent further disturbances;
and afterward to Seattle, in Washington
Territory to avert threatened attack upon
Chinese laborers and domestic violence there.
In both cases the mere presence of the troops
had the desired effect
O It appears that the number of de-
sertions have diminished, but that during
the last fiscal year they number
ed 1927; and one instance is
given by the lieutenant general of six deser-
lions by the same recruit. l am convinced
that this number of assertions can be much
diminished by better discipline and treat
ment: but the punishment should be increased
for repeated offences. These assertions might
also be reduced by lessening the term of first
thus allowing a discontinued re-
cruit to contemplate nearer discharge and
the army a profitable radiance. After one
term of service a re-enlistment would be
quite apt to secure contented recruit and
good soldier.
The acting judge-advocate-g general reports
that the number of trials by general courts