Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-06-14
GREENBACK'S DAD.
A long Disputed Point at Last
Settled.
WHO WAS THE GREENBAoKs "DAD9"

Lsessr from Abraham Lincoln Giving
nois-The House Civil Service Commit
tee Finds Fault with Bishop OberIy and
Lyman, but Exonerates Thompson and
RooseveIt-The Senate fingers Over the
Silver Question.
WASHINGTON CITY, June l4-There has
been more or less controversy. as is known,
as to the paternity of the "greenback, the
little piece of paper now so highly valued,
but which was looked upon with so much
distrust when first issued. 1t was quite q
period of time before any one put in a
claim for recognition as the creator of our
present esteemed paper currency; not I'M
til its success WAS assured by its own per-
sistency in meeting the best requirements
of circulating medium. Then ca me men
of national reputation who were willing
TO acknowledge it as an offspring, notably
Salmon p. Chase, under whom, a. secreta-
~ of the treasury, it came into being.
Other Claimants for the Honor.
But we have the high authority of Lin
coin for the statement that he, in the early
days, looked upon it with distrust. Ed
ridge G. Spaulding, at that time mem
Der of the ways and means committee,
which was manu9vering to provide the
sinews of war as well as the muscle has
been credited with the organization of
this, 'the finest currency in the world. +"
Others, too, have been introduced in this
character, but enough of this, by the way
nf m pHn for iS har nff
article to prove that an Illinois man. of no
extended national repute, was first instru-
mental in bringing forth this blessing in
the guise of sound paper money, and this
upon no less authority than that of Abrs-
ham Lincoln.
1t Was an Illinois Man.
The house committee on war claims has
made a report without recommendation,
on the claim of Col. Edmund %. Taylor.
of Chicago, who asks for a payment of
sl5, 600 as compensation for services rem
dered during the war, and for moneys ex-
pended to supply Illinois troops with
necessaries. Attached to this report is a
copy OF a letter from President Lincoln, in
which, among other things, Col Taylor is
credited with the origination of the green
back
President Iincoln's Testimony.
This letter, which is of historical inter
est, is as follows:
My DEAR COLONEL Dick: have long deter
mined TO make public the origin of the green
back and tell the world that il is one of Dick
Taylor's creations You had always been
friendly To me, and when troublous times fell
upon US, and my shoulders though broad and
willing, We're weak, and myself surrounded by
such circumstances and such people that
knew not whom To trust then | said in my ex.
tremity, Il will send for Col. Taylor; he will
know what To do" think it was in January
lSsE, on or about the 18th, that / did So
Col. Dicks Advice.
You came and said to You, What can we
dof" said you, why, issue treasury notes
bearing no interest, printed on the best bank
ing paper. Issue enough to pay off the army
expenses AMI declare it legal tender" Chase
thought IL a hazardous thing, but we finally
accomplishe it, and gave TO the people of this
republic the greatest blessing they ever had
their own paper to pay their own debts.
Ii is due To you, the father of the present
greenbsck, thai the people should know it and
take great pleasure in making it known.
How many times have laughed at you telling
me plainly that was too lazy 10 be anything
but a lawyer. Yours truly.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN President