The advocate and Topeka tribune., 1892-10-19

OF the amount remaining at the date Of
the British report. Since November last
all the old silver coins have been de-
monetized, except the thaler piece and
the sixth of a thaler piece, but the cur
rent reports are that the amount of the
outstanding thsler pieces is still consider
able.
The result will be largely affected by
the conclusion finally reached as to the
amount required for subsidiary coinage.
The executive government has proposed
to enlarge 1t one half, or to 25 marks per
capita, but the proposition lies over for
the present, some legislative opposition
having manifested Itself. II carried, the
enlargement will require about $52,000,-
600 in silver.
The London Economist of February 3,
1877, states that the German coinage pro-
gram for the present year is to complete
the subsidiary coinage up to the present
legal limit, which will call for $S,OO0,OOO
In silver, and to coin 10000 pounds in
weight of gold (about $19, ,1S5,OOW for the
account Of the government. The mintS
are always open, of course, for such gold
coinage as individuals may require If
this is really the present program of the
German authorities, it implies either
that they are not inclined to press the
withdrawal of silver 10 an immediate
conclusion, or that the quantity still to
be withdrawn is not large.
In the appendix (page y to the report
of the British commission is careful
estimate, which puts the amount Of sub
sidIary silver in Great Britlan, Decem-
Der /, 1872, at 919536,OOO. Taking the
population of Great Britain at 39,000,0O0
and the Eugllsh shilling as the equivs-
lent of the German mark, 1t would be
about IL marks per capita of the pOpula-
tion.
The British commission say:
It seems certain that more subsidiary coinage
will be used In Germany than In England, owing
to the smaller use Of checks, and TO the habit OF
daily payment for all family expenses, In the
place Of the English system OF weekly or monthly
bills.
II seems probable, therefore, that the
increase of the German subsidiary coin
age of Is marks per capita will finally be
carried, and that even q greater increase
may be found necessary.
The subsidiary coinage of France Is
limited to 6 francs, or about AZ marks,
per capita of the population. A much
greater amount per capita would doubt
less be required were 1t not for the fact
that the necessity for it is lessened by
the existence of the full tender silver s.
franc piece, just as it Is leSSened in this
country by the 81 and So legal tender
and bank notes. But II the full tender
3 franc pieces were called In, as they
would be should silver be demonetized,
France would require at least as much
subsidiary coin, per capita Of the pOpulR-
ton, as Germany.
In the event Of a remonetlzstion of sill
YER in the United States, and of its gen.
eral demonstration In Europe, this
country could not be flooded with silver
from Italy, Austria or Russia, whieh have
none to dispose Of, nor from Great Brit
ain, which has none except what is fixed
in subsidiary coins, nor from Germany
beyond the small amount not yet with
drawn from its circulation. 1t is France
which has nearly all the SILVER which Is
left In Europe, liable to be thrown on the
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