Evening star., 1895-07-27

out the scales and weighed out SO much
gold dust in place Of coin or paper. An
ounce was recognized as worth SIG. After
q time some people in California began to
cc1n the gold in doubloons, and these con-
famed an ounce OF gold and were recog-
nized as OF $18 value, though they had no
government stamp to guarantee them. The
doubloons were no more valuable than the
ounce Of gold dust Of which they were
composed. The gold was simply in q more
convenient form for handling. If I had
had one of those gold pieces in Havana, it
would have been worth as much there as
1t was In California, or as my loose gold
dust was And SO learned that gold is
worth just as much in one form as in
another. Now silver. when coined into a
dollar. is worth dollar simply because the
government will exchange 1t for dollar Of
gold. The silver dollar and the gold dollar
and the paper dollar are worth the same
amount because the government will eX-
change any one of them for any one of
the others. But there is limit to the abil
ity of the government to give gold dollars
for silver or paper ones"
In the Old Wing Days.
Colonel Morrison got to New Orleans in a
sailing vessel and came up the Missis-
sippi river on one of the old-time river
boats-the Missouri He was more than
month getting back to his home. When he
got back there he did not take up farming
actively again, but supervised the work
on the farm and studied law. Then he got
into politics and into the legislature.
Il began to take an interest in politics
when l was seven or eight or ten years
DID," said Colonel Morrison. MY father
had been prominent man in our COM
munity. He had been a member of the leg
islature, school commissioner and county
judge. I suppose / became interested be-
cause he was, but I know that when 1 was
very young I knew when election day
came around, and as soon I was able
to ride a horse used to ride to the voting
T NJ
going on, too-knew somethinss Of what
the election was for, and knew that there
were two sides-my fathers side (and
mine) and another In those days the two
parties. I had been brought up under
democratic rule. I was three years old
when Jackson was elected, and he served
eight years. Then Van Buren, was elected
During this time I got it In my head
that if whig was to be elecIed President
the bottom would drop out and the coun-
try would go to the dogs in three days. When
Harrison was elected then, fully expected
the order of the universe to be changed,
and l was much surprised 10 find when
l got up the next morning that the sur
was rising in the east in the accustomed
way"
You have learned to be little more
tolerant of the other party by this time.
I suppose?"
much difference between the parties
said Colonel Morrison. Most men are dis
satisfied with certain things in .he policy
Of their party. But / don't believe that
vote against his party ticket. If there is
any reforming to be done let him begin
In his own party. If Tammany. for ex-
ample, is so bad as some people think,
turn Tammany upside down. But stick to
one party or the other. If your own party
Is too dirty and contemplate TO nominate
decent ticket leave 1t and go into Some
other party. A man who does not stand
hN c~fy- Lose hi ;,,a,
PEOPLE OF the United States believe in party
politics.
Terms of Public OmcfaIs.
I asked Col. Morrison if he had had any
idea of running for Congress again.
Il could have run once or twice since I
left Congress-" said he, but would not
care TO go back unless l could have the
place guaranteed to me for a time. You
know l wouldn't be likely to sit back and
take no interest in things; and just so soon
as did take an active part in them, l
Would step on some fellows toes aui then
I'd have fight on hand in my district In
a close district the campaigning is contin-
uat and l would not care to go into 1t
again."
Then do you think that the term of a
Congressman should be extended?" |
Col Morrison shook his head. Il am be-
ginning to think" said he, that no one
ought to be elected to Office in this country
for more than six pnonths And moreover |
believe that every Office in which the peo-
pie are directly interested in this country
should be elective. Senators? Why not? But
beyond that. 1 would have the Supreme
Court put where the people could get at it."
Are you thinking of the income tax de- |
cls.on?' 1 asked.
Not at all' said Col Morrison quickly.
Il did not have that in my mind. But |
think 1t is absurd that the highest tribunal |
In the Iand-the last resort in interpreting
our laws-should be composed of men who |
are beyond the reach of the people-who |
are appointed by one man. and who hold |
office for life"
Don't you think there would be some |
danger in mixing up politics and the |
Not at ALL" said Col Morrison. .:Your
politics is as good as anything you have in
this country
Then the colonel put on his long-tailed |
gray coat and went out on the street. It
was after 6 o'clock and dinner was waiting
Tor him at his aotel. Hotel life is the best |
Col. Morrison has known for a great many
years. AS the White House is called some
times the Nations Hotel. probably Mr.. Nor
rison would feel very much at home there.
GEORGE GRANTHAM Balm,