Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-02-25
Rland'a Imitation Bill.


which have been introduced into the
present congress by the fat flnanclers,
the most dangerous one is the Bland
silver bill. II Is not only inherently
the worst bill Of Its kind ever offered In
a civilized country but II is the most |
dangerous because II has the moral II |
not the open support Of the entire :
democratic party. II is not bill for
he free coinage Of silver. Indeed II is
very improbable that II 1t should
become law there would be as much
silver coined as there is under the
present laws. II is bill solely in
the interests Of the owners OF silver
mines and silver bullion. 1t is gotten
upon the same principle as the proposed
subtreasury scheme Of the peoples
party. II will not benefit any individ
uals except those who have silver
bullion to trade to the government.
Any citizen who has su old silver teapot
or a piece Of silver bullion that In now
worth for the market only 20 cents per
37i, grains can take IL to the U. $.
miut and get dollar In paper money
for 1t, which IL worth 100 cents.
This is clear profit to the silver
barons Of 40 per cent on the present
value Of their silver. For every 800
worth Of silver they would get sl ,OG0 IN
paper money. On every so, 900 worth
OF silver they would clear exactly
$40, 900 and on each $4,000 worth Ut
silver they would net $500, 900. 1t Ia
estimated that the annual output OF
silver bullion In this country is about
$40, 900, 600. The present value Of this
bullion under the provisions Of the
Bland bill would be advanced ~ per
cent, which would represent net gain
Of $lS, 000, 900 to its owners. Mr. Bland
10 not satisfied with making a govern.
mrnI donation TO the silver miners of
our country Of eighteen million dollars
but he opens the great heart Of the L.
$. treasury and says to the silver barous
OF foreign countries to bring over their
10 cents worth Of silver and get 100
cents for IL. There is no provision In
, the bill compelling the coinage of one
dollar Of all this silver bullion. II IL
highly Improbable that any amount of
a II would be coined. With nearly 400.
000, 900 Of silver dollars already stored
a In the treasury vaults, there would be
a no necessity for any more silver dollars
as long rs the government would guar
o. antee to redeem the bullion certiichi, 4
I in gold. The method pursued under
r the bill would be that the owners Of tie
, bullion would deposit their 20 cent
;. bullion and get 100 cent silver certih
4 Gates in its place.
n just why Mr.. Bland and the demo-
i Gratis should advance the price Of silver
v 40 per cent for the sole benefit of the
r silver bar0ns, and refuse to permit the
q farmers OF this country to deposit ~
q cent wheat and get 100 cent wheat
v certificates for 1t is incomprehensible
Q IL we are to help either, lot us give the
n farmer 100 cents for 10 cent wheat
II The farmer reeds government aid
much more than the silver baron
We can readily see why the silver
owners Of the mountains should favor
MIR BANDS imitation bill but just why
y any nan living In AN agricultural state
should favor measure that would ~
, suit in donating $ls, 900, 900 annually IL
y the owners VI silver mines, without the
least possible prospect Of benefit to any
other class Of people in the country, is
y past finding out.