Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1895-03-01

lcHh'HlchlS oi NtNldliOns lntn nave
already been indicated
II is exactly so in finance; if we as
sumo gold as a standard our line of
fuctualiou OF prices Of commodities is
more zigzag and irregular than the
epicycloids of the Pto emaic astron-
omy II we refer all prices to silver As
a Standard, the line + variation is still
not uniform and regular, bat far more
nearly so than before Bun prices esti-
mated by the bimetallic average stand
in the same relation in finance AS the
Copcrncan theory of astronomy to the
motions If the heavenly bodies. A still
further improvement would be made
hy the average price OF all commodi-
ties taking this mean as the fixed value
from which all fluctuations of price are
TO bc estimated. This method assumes
that the mean price Of commodities,
each measured by the other approx
mates most closely to inyariabilty.
But Brother Osband says the burden
Of proof is with us to show that silver
is a better standard. Yes, perhaps it
is, since gold i, presumed to be inno-
cent till proved guilty Blu, the evil
dence is so positively Overwhelming
and volumipous that we cannot attempt
to reproduce it. 1t would take volumes.
And the astounding fact is that there is
no evidence TO the contrary that gold
is better. What is still more surpris-
ing is that Brother Osband is appar-
emily in ignorance of this evidence.
The conclusion that silver is a better
standard than gold is reachcd-must be
rcachcd-a priori and posteriori as
well; Il priori from the fact that gold
has iluctuated as TO its production four
teen times as much a silver, and that
the ratio of silver to gold has dimin-
ished from 81 or 30 tons of silver to
one of gold down TO II or IS tons of
silver to one OF gold in les than 50
years; that this change has been
brought about by the vast increase in
production Of gold in spite of an in
crease, also, in the production of silver.
1t is proved posteriori by Sauerbeck'S
tables of fifty principal commodities
which show comparative uniformity of
average prices when measured by silver,
for the past fifty years, but great
iluctuation in the direction of decline
when measured by gold. Examine the
evidence, Brother Osband; it is all on
one side, and YOU must be convinced.
Brother Osband says by inference
that no one would be benefited by free
coinage but the silver mine owners and
those who wish to pay their indebted
ness with deprecated 50-cent dollars.
This is the old assumption and trick of
monometallsts to throw dust in peo-
pies eyes. The silver mine owner
would not be benefited except in com
mon with all the industries, and as they
partake of the general welfare of the
country. 1t would force slight in
crease IN valuation of silver, larger
depreciation of gold, remedying the
evil Of an approaching standard By
which the creditor is given a great adj
vantage over the debtor.
As it is more difficult to control two
metals than one, aud since silver is
more generally diifused, more cumber-
some to handle, it would be impossible
for monev kings to control both metals,
where they can now control gold.
Come, Brother Osband. and ''join
our crusade for free silver" or in two
years you will be without a party. You
will also have the satisfaction of know
ing that you are fighting IN a good
cause.-the cause of the masses.
G.. III. CHASE.