Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-27
WEDNESDAY. FEBRUARY Of. 1889.
The Silver Question.


Recently. whist the Virginia Farmers
Convention was in session Ia this CITY. we
printed several articles on the silver ques'
ton. The importance Of the full remonei'
cation OF silver and OF opening the minis to
the free coinage OF silver was urged upon
CONGRESS by US A. IL had been urged by the
Farmers Convention. There Is nothing 10
which The farmers OF Virginia and oil wheat
growers everywhere IN this country are
more deeply concerned than in the restora-
ton OF silver TO its proper place In the cur
reney. No possible harm could result, seeing
that Congress could at once repeal The law II
necessary as It did Ia 1864, or thereabouts,
The law iorbidding the sale OF gold and
silver.
1t is as certain as any such proposition can
be that the United States can lind profitable
use for all the silver that is produced in tbs
country, and some zealousIy-strenuous al
vocates Of the free coinage OF that metal
claim that It has been demonstrated that the
United States could absorb all the silver that
Is produced in the world. We have some
doubts as 10 the sOundness OF this latter
opinion, but none as 10 the ability OF our
country to use prodtably oil the silver that
she produces herself. To open The minis to
the free coinage OF silver would no doubt
stimulate the production OF that metal;
but the addition even OF ten or twenty
millions Of dollars worth to the present an
puaI product would not In the slightest de-
,ofa n far
currency in this country except coins worth
i've dollars or less were silver certificates
based upon silver actually deposited IN the
Treasury. we should have the best circula-
ting medium In the world.
Bimetaliism Is growing in popularity in
Europe, both on the continent and in Great
Britain. II the United states will set the
example Germany, England, France, Italy,
aud Spain VIII soon follow suit, and out OF
the movement may grow an international or
universal circulating medium. winch Will
pass, as the words imply, wherever there Is
q civilized aud enlightened commercial COM
munity.
In this country the Democrats rather than
the Republicans are the recognized advocates
OF bimetsllIsm, though the present law
regulating the coinage OF silver was voted
for by a large number OF Republicans. The
platforms OF several Democratic National
Conventions have declared In favor OF a
currency Of both silver and gold; and the
Republicans have not been far behind The
Democrats in this matter. But during the
several campaigns neither party has upon
The stump, or IN is journals, or elsewhere,
brought the silver question to the front.
This silence Is not a little singular In view
OF the fact that the BLAND bill was passed over
Mr.. HAYRs's veto by a vote OF 1876 to 70 In
the House Of Representatives. and by vote
of 40 to 10 in the Senate. Both the Virginia
Senators JOHNSTON aud WIrHERsl and. we be-
leye, all the Virginia Democratic members oil
the House OF Representatives, voted IN tue
affirmative. BY The way, the Virginia state
Democratic Convention might possibly find
q to the interest OF the Democratic party to
have a word TO say on this subject In their
platform of this year. The Republicans are
already fixing up platform, no doubt, that
will contain other things than their declars'
ton that all the Republicans IN Congress
are 10 favor OF abolishing the tobscco-isx.
Our attention was called TO this subject by
the following paragraph from the ludianapo'
lis Sentiue
"The admission of four or i've new Terri
tories will probably have one result tina. does
not seem TO have entered very largely into
the calculations that the politicians arc
making on the subject. IL will give the
friends OF the double standard majority IN
both Houses OF Congress, ana will lead to
the early removal ot all limitation on the
coiuuge OF silver. n will probably force
President Harrison Ia cast his lot with the
s,lyer marty at the start or break with Con-
eress. rhe new states VIII probably make
other important changes 10 existing political
conditions that the statesmen at Washington
are.not counting on"
Yes, We have often had occasion TO en-
phasize this point-namely, that laws obsti'
nately refuse to operate rs their originators
intended and expected them to operate.
There 10 no telling what results are TO follow
the admission into the Union OF four States
contaipiDg such populations as live In Wash
iugton, Montana, North Dakota, and South
Dakota. So also the election OF HARRISON
will have consequences that bis supporters
have never for a moment had In mind. We
shall be amongst those who rejoice when
, ever or by whomsoeyer the silver bin and
the CowLEs bill are passed.