The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1894-02-24
SILVER AS INTERNATIONAL MONEY.


tional bimetallism which has been iu-
augnrated at Boston is indicative ofan
increasing trend of public sentiment
in that direction. 1t is worthy of
special note that the persons tax.
ing an active interest In this move
ment are opposed to free coinage by
the United States. but are OF the opin-
ion that the necessities of commerce
will sooner or later compel an inter-
national use OF silver.
There are recent indications abroad
to the effect that silver, upon some
basis satisfactory to the countries con-
cerned, must become factor with
gold in the currency of the world aud
that the present is a peculiarly favor
able time for beginning the agitation.
The Legislature of British Columbia
has recently adopted a resolution which
will be transmitted to the British secre-
tary Of state for the colonies, declaring
that gold and silver should be ordained
by international agreement as legal
tender to any amount, that the value of
silver in terms ofgold be fixed aud that
gold and silver bullion in any amounts
be freely turned into coin at the State
mints.
1t is not likely that this recommends
ton coming from the farthcst west of
its American colonies will be altogether
lost upon Great Britain, whose silver
interests in its fsrthest east are just now
in state ofbewildering decentralization.
Why would it not be good idea for
the silver men Of this country to take
advantage of turn in the tide which
is evidently setting IN both inthe United
States, in Canada, in England, aud other
European nations, aud instead ofkeep-
ing up a struggle for the unattainable,
await the results of the international
conference that in all probability will
be held at no distant day?
International bimetalism in Its true
and best sense would settle upon fair
and satisfactory terms q bitter and
fruitless controversy, and place the
silver miners upon plane of compar.
alive equality with the gold miners
1t would bring about the enlarged use
of silver to whatever extent the needs
oil international trade might require
aud furnish a corresponding market
for the white metal at as advantageous
rates as 1t could possibly bring were the
coinage absolutely free.
Referring to the action Of the Legls
lature of British Columbia, the Chicago
Tribune says:
"What they want 10 that gold ant
silver money shall circulate on equa
terms, which cannot be the cause un
less the coins are OF equal intrinsic
value. Thej know that the old ratio
are ruled out by the march Of events
and that anew ratio must be establish
ed If gold and silver ara to circulate
OIL equal terms, each being receive'
OH its merits, and not requiring to b
buoyed up by the other. This propo
sition Is an honest one, and deserve
the most serious consideration. II
one which any set of men is entitle,
10 make and to ask for 1t respect
full hearing, since it advocates nothin
which would not be right aud fair I
all, gold miners as well as silver min
ers, and to tho people of India. Grea
Britain, France, and Germany, as we
as those of the United States.'
II 10 needless to remark In this col
J nection that the repeal ofthe silverp pul
chasing clause ofthe Sherman act, sma
as may have been the immediate effe'
of that legislation upon the restoratio
j of business confidence, has really give
an impetus to the recent movements
= behalf Of international bimetallism.
was an announcement TO the world thi
the United States would no longer III
deriake to bear the burden of silver vi
assisted, that we would become buye
of gold instead, and that II the silv'
!. question is ever to be settled at all,
must be on some new ratio betwet
the two metals and on some internatic
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