The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-15

character of our currency. II will not be pos
sible, and would not bs appropriate for me in
this letter to enter upon any elaborate discus
sion OF these questions. One or two things |
will say, and first believe that every pVrson
who thoughttully considers the question
will agree with me upon the
proposition which is at the base Of all
my consideration OF the currency question,
namely, that any dollar. paper or coin, that is
issued by the United States must be made and
kept In its commercial uses as good as any
any other dollar. So long as any paper money
issued or authorized by the United States gov
ernment Is accepted IN commercial use as equiv
alent OF the best coined dollar that we issue. and
so long as every coined dollar, whether of
silver or gold, is issued of an
equal value, in commercial use, there need be
no fear as to an excess OF money The more
such money the better. But, on the other hand,
when any issue or paper or coined dollars is In
buying and selling rated at less value than other
paper or coined dollars, we have passed the
limit OF safe experiment in finance. If we have
dollars OF different values only the poorest will
circulate.
FARMERS WOULD RE LOSERS.
The farmer and laborer who ara not in hourly
touch with the ticker or telegraph will require
above all other classes Of our community dollars
OF full value. Fluctuations and depreciations
are always nt the first cost Of these classes of
our community. The banker and speculator
anticipate, discount and often profit
under the impulse OF excitement or
strest OF money strinRency 10 fall into the
slough of n deprecated or irredeemabls cur
rency. IL is very painful and slow business to
get out when once in. have always believed,
and do now more than ever believe, in bimet-
ahsm, and favor the fullest use OF silver in con.
nection with our currency that is compatible
with the maintenance of the parity Of
the gold and silver dollar in their
commercial uses. Nothing, in my Judgment,
would so much retard the restoration of the
free use of silver by the commercial nations of
the world as legislation adopted by that
would result in placing this country upon the
basis of silver mono metallism. The Legislation
adopted by the first session OF the Fifty first
| advocates of free coinage, representa-
| tives of silver states, would promptly and
permanently bring silver to 81 70 per ounce and
| keep 1t there. That anticipation has not been
| realized. Our larger use Of silver has ap-
| parently, and for reasons not yet agreed upon,
| diminished the demand for silver in Ohiua and
India. In view OF the fact that It Is impossible in
this letter 10 elaborate. and that propositions only
| can be stated, am aware that what have said
may be assailed in points where II is easily de
| fenslbe, but where l have not attempted
fore, excepting in an official way,
| expressed myself on these subjects;
but feeling the interest, dignity and Importance
| OF the assemblage In whose behalf you speak, |
| have ventured, without bgotry of opinion,
| without any assumption OF infallibility, but as
an American citizen, having most earnest de
| sire that every individual and every public act
| Of my life shall conduce TO tho glory Of our
| country and the prosperity of all our people, TO
submit these views for your consideration. Very
| respectfully, BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Gov. Francis Of Missouri was chosen
| president, aud Temporary Secretary
| Springer was retained as per-
manent secretary. Twenty-tour vice
| presidents, one from each state
represented, were appointed. The usua
! committees were then selected aud the CON
gress adjourned until tomorrow morning
| at 10 80 O'clock.