Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-02-10
OUT FOR FREE SILVER.
Leonard Rhone Explains the Senti-
ments of the National Grange
ON THE QUESTION OF COINAGE.
Another Blow Aimed at the Pinkertons by
Congressman Watson.
AN ECHO OF THE LATE WAR WITH CHILE

rsF-CGAL TELEGRAM TO THE pIsPATcH.1
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 9.-At the
hearing before the House Committee on
Coinage, Weights ard Measures to-day,
Leonard Rhone, of Pennsylvania, repre-
senting the Legislative Committee Of the
National Grange, asked that silver be re-
stored to its former place The farmers had
no silver or stocks to sell, but they did
have farm products, which were affected
not only by our policy but by the policy OF
other countries When the American farmer
went with his wheat into the Liverpool
market he obtained possibly 81 10 a bushel
for it. while the Indian and Russian farmer
realized 81 so in silver for his wheat, thus
placing the American farmer IN a dls3d-
vantageous position in the foreign markets.
He read the resolutions of the National
Grange in favor of free coinage. The
farmer, he added was at the mercy OF the
money lender. and he wanted Congress to
protect the legal tender qualification of the
money issued by the General Government,
so that he could not be compelled to make
his payments in one form OF money alone
Mr. Tavjor, of Illinois. asked Mr. Rhone
if he could rot get in Liverpool the same
amount of silver for his wheat that the In
dian farmer could.
Foreign Exchanges in Gold
Mr.. Rhone replied that the exchanges be-
tween the United States and England were
made IN gold. and that if the farmer took
silver bullion he would have to sell it here
at its bullion price.
Nr NcEcirilan OF Nebraska-When you
bring the silver home is it not placed at
disadvantage 10y being diShonored here?
Mr Rhone made AN affirmative response,
and said that the American farmer would
be willing to take United States silver coin
in Liverpool for his wheat, because here it
was worth as much as gold, but if he took
silver for his wheat, he was not given
American coin. but bullon. When the In
dian farmer took his silver home he could
get it coined, which would buy there as
much As any other form OF money
Mr. TAYLOR. of llIinois-Are You in favor of
putting the country on silver basis, the
Mr. Rhone replied that free coinage of
silver would go a great way toward bringing
il to pc rity with gold. Even If all that was
said against the free coinage of silver were
true the farmer would not lose anything
because there was no time when the farmer
Jared as well in 1855, when there was de-
preciated currency Mr. Williams, OF I'M
nOis. said he favored free coinage OF both
gold and silver.
Silver Redeemed in Gold.
discussion then arose between the men,
hers of the committee over 4 statement
made by Mr.. Taylor, OF Illinois, that Director
Leech had said the silver certificates were
redeemed in gold, and that in this way gold
would flow out.
Nj Bland asked if any Secretary of the
Treasury would dare to pay out gold FOR a
silver certificate.
Mr. Taylor replied that no Secretary dared
do ANYTHING else.
Mr. Bland-Then he violates the law every
time lie does it. and is liable to impeach- |
1nent Tor the act distinctly says they are !
redeen.able in silver dollars, and i'll nothing
else.
MIR. Bartine of Nevada, said the Director |
OF the Mint would not state that lie would |
pay out gold for silver certificates. He |
might say he would on demand pay gold for |
Trea sUry notes
Messrs. Taylor and Williams, of Massa-
cGuscits, insisted that the practice of the |
Government WAS to pay ont gold for any of |
its obligations, whenever demanded. and |
NJ. W illiams, OF Illinois, and others insisted |
that the silver law by its term made the |
Certificates redeemable in silver.