Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-13
The SILVER COINAGE POLICY.
Conflicting Rumors About the Ad-
ministration's Intentions.
ECHOES OF THE ENcAMPMeNT
Good Words For Nebraska knights
= On Every Hand-Gencral Poole, of
New York, Mentioned For
the Tauner Vacancy.
WASHINGTON BUREAU, THE OMAHA BEE,
5l3 FOURTEENTH STREET, 7

in New York over the subject of the policy
of the administration as ito silver coin
age by the report published this morning
that it was likely the monthly purchase of
bullion would be increased, at least tempor-
arily, from 100000 to s4,000,0C0 month.
Those who should Know most about it say 1t
Is not at all probable that the present status
will be disturbed unless congress so directs:
that Notwithstanding the law provides there
shall be s., 100000 coined monthly and this
amount may, at the discretion of the secre-
tary Of the treasury be increased to $1,000
600 a month, Secretary Window is disinclned
to change the present policy and will leave
it at s., 2,00O, 0O0 in the absence of further con.
gresslonal direction. Congress will be in
session in about seven weeks, aud
although the demand for silver certificates
which are issued in denominations of
81 and So and upward Is increasing, and the
supply as the busy season approaches de-
creases, congress will have an opportunity to
take action before any Inconvenience to COM
mercial circles is inflicted. In the under
strata of the treasury department an impress
sion exists, however, that circumstances
point to the necessity of increasing the
monthly coinage and the issue of certificates
A treasury official SAID to your correspond
ent to-day: "The whole story of silver can
be found in the treasury statement showing
the condition of our silver currency. BY it
we see that the net standard silver dollars in
the treasury in July, 1856, was $4,000, 600 in
round numbers. In July, 1887, it was S67,-
100000. In July, 1888, it was S42, 100000 In
July, 1889, 1t was 100000. On the
10th inst. it was but S5,0o0,000. These
comparisons show plainly that it is but a
circulation will be greater than the supply
What may be done with congress so close
upon US can not be said, but that something
will have to be done is clear. The business
of the country is very brisk at this season of
the year, and people must have more money
for the circulating medium. The output of
silver currency oan be accounted for in part
by the retirement of national bank circula-
ton The national banks do not furnish the
circulation needed by the country, and the
government is called upon to do so. IL meets
the demand by issuing silver certificates of
small denominations, supplying the loss of
national bank notes, and meeting the re-
quirements OF trade. There IS no doubt in
my mind that the situation points clearly to
the prospect of an increased purchase of
silver to meet the actual wants of the
country"
This view of treasury official on the
silver question shows the radical change
which has taken place on this subject in
financial and treasury circles, where. not
three years ago there was an appeal made to
congl ess for relief from continued COM
pulsory coinage. Whatever the action may
be by either the treasury department or con-
gress during the next six months or year, it
will tend to enlarge rather than to contract
the circulating medium, so that the outlook
is favorable Tor an easier money market
than we have at present.
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR TALK.
The Evening Star has splendid wood cuts
of two distinguished knights Templar from
Nebraska Commander Lewis M. keene and
William NJ Munger, and sketches of their
Communicates, from which / take the follow
ing; Nebraska made up in quality what she
lacked in quantity at the conclave. She sent
here some Of her brightest men to represent
the interests Of 1emplarlsm IN that state.
The deputy grand commander VINO came
with the Sir Knights is Lewis NJ. Keeue. In
the absence of the grand commander, he
performed his duties in u most credlta BILE
manner.
''Mount Tabor was one Of the Nebraska
Communicates that sent delegation from
among the eighty-eight knights on the roll.
They were led by Sir William Fl. Munger
eminent commander, whose Templar record
is an exceedingly brilliant one"
At the banquet given to 200 members of
the grand encampmept last night Grand
Commander Clark Varnum, of Iowa, re-
sponded to the toast, THE individual Temp
lar; the responsib 10 eXemplar of Christian
ghthood."
WHAT DENVER WILL DO.
Sir Knight r. A. Long, of Denver, speak
ing to-day of the next Knights Templar con-
claye, says: Denver is a beautiful city,
and we intend to throw our homes wide
open TO the knights who attend the conclave.
Washington has entertained us In good
style. Not one word of complaint have we
to make and it shall be our pleasure to see
that the same treatment is given them in
1899. We shall throw open our homes and
our hotels, and the best shall not be too good
for them"
"Our streets are now b eng paved and
5000, 900 Masonic temple will be completed
within the next year. We are under oblga-
tions to the Nebraska knights for helping US
secure the next conclave."
AN APT REToRT.
Prof Essor ParvIn, of Iowa, who IS one of
the oldest knights IN the country, had the
honor of representing the Prince of Wales
and the grand priory of Canada at the con-
claye and had most magnificent iewelled
badges presented TO him as their representa-
tive. The professor is something of a wag
and tells good story apropos of his crippled
leg 1t is said that no man with a physical
infirmity can gain admttance TO the knights
Templar order. Being chaffed about the
evident exception that had been made in his
favor, the professor responded: "Why, my
friend, ! Joined the order when mans
qualifications were measured by the size of
his brain and not by the length of his legs"
POOLE FOR TANSER's PLACE.
A western congressman who talked with
President Harrison on the subject to-day,
says that 1t Is very probable that General
Poole, ex-pension agent at Syracuse, N. Y,
will be appointed commissioner of pensions
next week. Senator Hlscock has been push
ing Poole for this place. and he has just re
turned here to resume his work Corporal
Tanner will continue to draw the salary of
the ofiice until his successor is appointed.
MIsoRLLANEoUs.
In addition 10 many other postal reforms
that Postmaster General Wanamaker is
| understood TO be recommending his forth