The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-27

Valuo, was not used IN InlS country as
the actual measure otter 1884. He de-
MES that. We both agree that from
1852 to 1879 the domestic business of
this country was done by using the
greenback dollar as the measure of
values, which was during none of these
years equal in value to either the gold
dollar or the silver dollar. He states
that in his book-we both agree. Now
mark: We both agree that in 1873,
since the resumption of specie pay
ments, the domestic and international
business of this country had been done
on gold basis. We agree that Great
Britain had been on a gold basis since
1916; no dispute about it. I claim that
Germany ceased the coinage of silver
in 1871, and he claims that it was not
done until later, in 1873, but We both
agree that since Jan. 1, 1874, Germany
has been entirely upon a gold basis. We
agree that the nations which compose
the Latin Union, to-wit, France Bel
gium, Switzerland, Italy, and Greece.
are all of them today gold standard
countries. There is no dispute be-
tween us that British America and Aus
tralia are also gold standard countries.
We agree that Mexico, China, Japan,
and several of the republics of South
America are silver standard nations.
There is today no nation on the face of
the earth that is actually using
double standard. The actual measure
of value in each of the countries Of the
world is either gold alone or silver
alone except in some countries where
deprecated paper money is the eircu-
lating medium and metal money is
bought and sold as a commodity, just
as was the case in this country during
the suspension of specie payments. Mr.
Harvey claims that the law of 1873 was
secretly and fraudulently passed. He
won't deny that he claims that. That
1 have denied and still deny. I say
there is not grain of truth is such a
statement. But we both agree that the
law was passed and is in force today.
Now, the important question before the
American people at this moment, and
the one we are here to discuss, is this:
Ought the law to be repealed? Ought
we to again throw open the mints of
the United States to the free coinage of
silver, upon the old ratio of 16 to /,
when the actual ratio of value in the
markets of the world is fully 80 to 1?
Points of Agreement.
ldr. Harvey-When I have read the
printed record of what Mr.. Horn has
| just now said it will be time enough
! for me to take up a new subject. 1 am
not done with the present subject yet.
! The act of 1853 served the purpose of
the men who were seeking to overthrow
our constitutional standards of money
in this way. In 1853, on account of the
expectation of our silver coins by rea-
son of the French ratio of 15A to 1 be-
! ing less than ours, 16 to 1, Congress,
preserving the silver unit, ordered by
act that the fractional silver, SO cents
and less, should be cut down in size to
the French ratio to stop it's exporta-
ton. The silver unit was preserved
without even coming one of them. 1t
| would regulate the other coins all the
same
Now, with that explanation, I pro-
coed. l want all the men and women
of America to read the words uttered
! in the two houses of Congress on the
day the bill was passed, May 27, 1872
and Jan. IL, 1873. 1t is the best school
on this question that they can attend
The reading of it will cause them tc
agree with me. 1t can be found in the
Congressional Record or in No. z of the
Financial Series, published by the Coin
Publishing Company, of this city
wherein it is copied, and 1 hope all pub
fishers of books on finance will include
it in the appendix of every book they
publish.
But had not finished with my proofs
Proofs precede comments. Plain facts
are more eloquent than words
I have before me on this table the
files of the Chicago Tribune for 1873
| Oaughter) 1 want Mr.. Horr and his
assistants to inspect it. I turn first tt
Jan IS, 1873. This bill that was sup.
posed to have he'd in it a silver dollar
that would float around the world was
passed in the Senate on Jan. IT, so thai
the morning papers Of the 18th wCalC
contain any news, if there were any
showing that the fundamental laws Of
the government had been changed. The
only reference that appears in tha
paper is in a press telegram from
| Washington, which is this: "Ar. Sher
man called up the bill to revise anC
amend the laws relating to minis, assay
offices, and coinage of the United
States, which was amended and passed
That is all; not another word
Asserts 1t Was misunderstood.
No information of the fact that on,
of the money metals of the United
States was struck down was con
veyed to the people through the news
papers of the country. applause.
The reporters at Washington did no
know it; the congressman as a who'll
did not know it. The money of the PEG
pie that had served them well was de
stroyed, and I now challenge Mr.. Hor
to show me anywhere in the news