Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1885-12-16

We = Ia 800 z s e sssZs9 X I'LL
ssssssssa si &c s sssassa: :. = , "a salsf 7h. = Sssss
throuah comraerce. ttAds srd travel. a ec.
knowIedgmcnt Of this q found in The, pot p vi.
II provides that the president shall invite the
governments Of the countries. composing the
Latin union. s0-calied, apd Of such other Er-
i iSe nnI asi's STATE, = n ! m eon ssSm sst to ADOPT u conn aSls
mon rates between gold and silver for the pur:
poss Of establishing universally the use OF
bimetalic money and
SECURING A rIxiTr or RELATIVE VALUE
between these metals. This conference abeo-.
subsequent efforts in the same direction, and
still we continue our coinage of silver at a ratio
different from that of any other nation. The
most vital feature OF the silver coinage act re-
mains imperative and unexecuted. and without
an ally or friend we battle on in this silver and
losing contest. To give full effect to the design
OF congress on this subject l have made careful!
and earnest endeayor since the adjournment of
the last congress-. To this end | delegated power
TO gentlemen well instructed in fiscal science TO
proceed to the f, man = cU ,a, o. europe ~ p and
France and Germany, to obtain a full knowledge
OF the attitude and intent OF these governments
respecting the establishment OF such inter,
both metals at the mints OF those countries and
our own. BY my direction our consul general at
Paris has given close attention to tho
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONGRESS OF THE LATIN
UNION,
in order to Indicate our interests In its object
and report its action. 1t may be said. In brief,
as the result of these efforts that the attitude OF
the leading powers remains substantially un-
changed since the monetary conference OF 1851;
nor Is it to be questioned that the views OF these
governments are III each instance separated by the
weight Of public opinion. The steps thus taken
have therefore only more fully demonstrated the
uselessness OF further attempts Mt present to ar
ttvn m aAr ~rantpan an fha 4rltnrf yNtfl, pfhAr
nations. In the meantime we are accumuiating
silver coin based on orr own peculiar ratio to
such an extent, and Assuming So heavy, a burden
to be provided for In any international negotia-
tons as will render rs IN undesirable party To
any future monetary conference Of the nations.
1t is a signitcant fact that four OF the FIVE coun-
tries composing the Latin union mentioned In
our coinage act, embarrassed with their silver cur
rency, have just completed an agreement among
themselves that no more silver shall be coined
as has already been coined and in circulation
shall
BE REDEEMED IN GOLD
by the country Of it's coinage. Tho resort to this
expedient by these countries may we'll arrest the
attention of those who suppose that we can suc-
coed without shock or injury in the attempt to
circulate upon its merits all the SILVER we may
coin under the provisions OF our silver coinage
So. The condition in which cnr treasury may
be placed by a persistence in our present course
Isl matter Of concern to every patriotic citizen
who does not desire his government to pay In
silver such of it's obligations M 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 in
terest-bearing obligations which we have the
right now to discharge, and thus avoid the pay
ment of further interest thereon. The so-called
debtor class, for whose benefit the continued
COMPULSORY coinage of silver is insisted up9n, ars
not dishonest because they are in debt. and they
should not be suspected OF a desire TO
JEoPARDIZE THE FINANCIAL SAFETY OF THE
COUNTRY
in order that they may cancel their present debts
by paying the same in deprecated dollars; nor
the peps1iender alone that must submit to such
q establishment enforced by the government and
their debto;s. The ~pittsLce of the widow and
f~ciaries OF ali kinds would be disastrously le-
dnced. The depositore in savings banks
and other institutions which hold in trust the
tons are scaled down TO meet the new. order OF
things, would In their distress painfully realize
the delnsi"n of the promise made 20 them that
plentiful money would improve their condition.
We have now On hand all the silver dollars nee
essary to supply the present need of the people,
and 70 satisfy those who IRON sentiment wish 70
see them in circulation, and II their coinage is
suspended they can be readily obtained by those
who desire them. If the need of more is at any
time apparent their coinage may be resumed.
THAT DISASTER HAS Nor ALREADY OVER.
TAKEN Us
furnishes DO proof that danger does not wait
upon q continuation OF THO present silver coin.
age. We have been saved by the most careful
management and unusual expedients, by a COM
bination of fortunate conditions and by a conf
dent expectation that the com of the gov
eminent in regard to silver coinage would be
speedily charged by the action of congress.
Prosperity h%esi.ates npon oar threshhold because
this question. Capital timidly shrinks from
trade and investors are unwilling to take the
chance Of the questionable shape in which their
money will be returned to them. while enterprise
halts at the risk against which care and saeacIous
management do not protect. Asa necessary con-
sequence labor lacks employment and suffering
and distress are visited upon a portion Of orr
fellow citizens especially entitled to the careful
consideration of those charged with the duties
of legislation. No interest appeals to US so
strongly for n safe and stable currency a. the vast
army of the unemployed. l the sus-
pension Of compulsory coinage Of silver dollars
directed by the law passed in February, 1873.