The advocate., 1892-03-02
THE CLOvEN FOOT OF THE PLUTOCRAT IN
THE BLAND SILVER BILL.

THE BLAND SILVER BILL.
To Che Editor Of THE ADVOCATE:
Il is with reluctance that now ask to
take up any space in your valuable paper
for an uncouth presentation OF my
thoughts upon the great issues with
which your columns are weekly filed,
fully realizing that my expression at best
must be but weak compared with the
vital interest centering in the matters
discussed.
But in reading closely the accompany
ing draught of the Bland bill, l am so
impressed with the fragrant fatality Of
one provision therein, that l feel impeled
to earnestly invite serious consideration
thereof. -
The unit of value in the United States
shall be the standard silver dollar as now
coined, consisting of 41216 grains standard
silver, or the gold dollar of twenty-five and
eighteenth grains standard gold; that the
standard gold and silver coins ofthe United
States shall be legal tender in payment OF
all debts, public and private. Any holder
of gold or silver bullion CT the value of 800
or more of standard fnenesS shall be enti-
tied to have the same struck into any auth
oriSed standard coins of the United States
free of charge at the mints of the United
States, or the owner of the bullion may de-
posit the same at such mints and receive
therefore coin notes equal in amount to the
coinage value of the bullion deposited, and
the bullion thereupon shall become the
property of the government. That the coin
notes 80 issued shall be in denominations
not less than 81 nor more than $1,000, and
shall be legal tender in like manner and
invested with the same monetary uses as
the standard gold and silver coins Of the
United States.
Sec. 2. That after the passage of this act
il shall not be lawful to issue or reissue gold
or silver certificates or treasury notes, pro-
vided for In the act of July IA, 1880, entitled
Gan act directing the purchase of silver
bullion and the issue of treasury notes
thereon and for other purposes" That all
such certificates and treasury notes when re-
ceived in the treasury shall be cancelled and
destroyed and coin notes provided for in
the first section of this act shall be issued
in lieu of the certificates and treasury notes
30 Cancelled and destroyed; provided that
nothing herein shall be construed to change,
modify, or alter the legal tender character
of such certificates or notes now isued.
SEQ. g. That the COIN notes herein auth
orized may be reissued, but the amount at
any time outstanding shall not be greater
or less than the value of the coin and the
bullion at coming value held in the treas
ury, That the said coin notes shall be re-
deemed in coin on demand at the treasury
or any sub treasury of the United States,
and the bullion deposited shall be coined as
fast as may be necessary for such redemp-
tion.
Sec. 4. That any holder Of full legal ten
der gold or silver coins of the United States
to the amount of $40 or more may deposit
the same at the treasury or any sub-treasury
Of the United States and receive therefor
coin notes herein authorized.
Sec. 8. That the act of July IA, 1890,
hereinbefore cited, be and the same is here
by repealed.
Seo.6 6. That so soon as France shall re-
open her mints to the free and unrestricted
coinage of silver at her present ratio, name
ly, fifteen and one-half pounds Of silver to
be worth one pound of gold, troy, it shall be
the duty of the president Of the United
States to Immediately make public procla-
nation of that fact, wereupon the said ratio
shall be the legal ratio in the United States