St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-02-01
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
silver and Gold.

To the Editor of the Globe:
The unusual excitement among the peo-
pie and in monetary circles over the silver
question is causing many candid and patri-
otto citizens To inquire whether money
spectators or our national authorities are
the real managers of our financial affairs.
and whether our national legislature is able
10 protect the people against those who, for
personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT study to force
fluctuations in the price of money regard
less of the peoples interest
The opinion has obtained. and is daily be-
coming more prevalent, that there is dan
gerOus element at work against the interests
of the masses in money matters, and that
that element ''liyes. moves and has its
being' in the hearts of those who deal ex-
clusiyely in money and are boarding great
fortunes by manipulating the money mar
ket.
These views seem to be Endorsed by our
national legislators" when. on the one
hand, the ''gOld kings" are accused of OPP
posing silver because it will interfere with
their profits, and on the other the
''sILvER KINGS"
sustain silver, because they need a market
for their silver productions. Neither side
hesitates 10 accuse the other of holding
their position from selfish motives purely,
and while each hurls the soft impeach-
nlent" literally at the other, the reading
masses of the people wonder and ponder.
and ask themselves the question: lis our
national legislature capable of protecting
the people in financial matters?' Ii Is no
part of legislators business at Washing
ton to ask what gold bugs want or what
silver kings desire, but it is their business
and their solemn duty to seek TO know what
no ii cir lot linn.
and to provide il so as To best protect us
all from the dangers of scarcity aud fluctu-
alton, in such a manner and of such mater
Ial as will afford greatest convenience,
backed by the best possible security.
When specie payment was resumed a
thrill of joy went to every American heart;
not to much because the people really de-
sired TO handle specie, as because il was To
them evidence of financial strength aud
soIdity. Still, there was
FEELING OF SATISFACTION
accompanying the actual return of specie to
the hands OF the masses. especially the re-
turn of silver coin, of the usefulness and
convenience of which they had been so long
deprived. As change" the people are in
love with silver. 1t is convenient and
valuable intrinsieally. and being real pay
instead of a promise to pay, it will always
give cdllctdCllDi. DclilE pfcclOtiS.
cannot be coined in as small denominations
as silver. hence cannot till the same place
but finds its use in larger transactions in
stead of In everyday business, as a medium
| of ''small change" Gold and silver are de-
manded by the people. and can we not
safely say, needed by the people? If they
are, the people should have them, and the
only question remaining is: ''What is the
best method of providing them or their full
equivalent?o If gold is to be the standard
of value, then the people, feeling the need
of silver coin, should have such coin, not i'm
the deprecated form, but in such form that
ten silver dollars will be actually worth the
same as ten-dollar
GOLD COIN,
instead of being worth $3.50. and IL seems
clear that when our lawmakers see their
full duty and resolve to do it the present
discrepancy will soon be made good, and
the shameful inconsistency now existing be
removed.
But is there not better way than to
float large quantities of gold and silver
among the people? Gold lOOses value rap
idly by friction, as does also silver, though
less rapidly. and their weight is an obiec-
ton, except in small quantities. They rep
resent TO the people the solidity OF our
apparent the people are content Security,
solid foundation. is what is needed to sat
isfy the people, and in coin they see that
security aud foundation.
1t is believed that If gold and silver GER
titicates OF denominations representing our
present gold and silver coin from 81 up
wards were issued by the government, to
take the place of the coin now i'm crcula-
ton Of like denomination, we would be
better conditioned for the change, provided
the people could feel the same security as
now. Let the coin remain in the treasury
TO redeem
THE CERTIFICATES
on demand. and the security is complete;
and as the cost of issuing such certificates
would not exceed the wear and tear of coin
if in circulation, there would be no loss sus-
tanned by the people, and the convenience
would be great, still leaving silver coin cir
culating as change" in denominations of
half dollars and under.
The people would like this, for they could
see the security and get specie by demand
ing 1t at any time, If they needed or de-
sired it. WewOuld keep coin mot bullion
in the treasury as some suggest so that no
evidence of barriers between the people and
their money should exist.
We have gold and silver mines and three
is but little danger of our being hurt by
miners or owners of mines as such; hence
the coming of gold and silver should go on
! 10 fully meet the increase OF business, and
should gold sharks or any other sOul-sOiled
combinations attempt to run gold out of the
country or cut any other pranks to the in
jury of our monetary interests or the busi-
ness interests of the country, in order to
create panic and enrich themselves, let them
be met with a law making such encroaeh-
ments REASONABLE, or at least criminal, and
under such law treat them with the same
respect land no more) that is now given to
counterfeters, and thus enforce an obServ-
anee of the peoples rights. This Is called
the peoples government and the people
have right to financial stability regardless
Of the seltshness of money manipulators.
CoIS.
Serve All Alike.
To the Editor OF the Globe:
1 saw in the DAILY GLOBE of Jan. 81 q
piece headed Hard on the Treasury.