Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-05-15

gold and the landlord brought out his
little scales to weigh the ten dollar gold
piece. 1t was accepted at its face value.
Then Brown offered his paper money and
the landlord laughed a merry laugh and
told him he'd have to keep his decorated
paper, and pay in gold or silver Brown
borrowed some gold from Smith. Robin
son now made offer Of ten Of his shining
silver dollars. The landlord got his little
scales and weighed the Ten silver pieces
and called for ten more. What, said
Robinson, shall Smith pay but ten gold
dollars and l pay twenty silver dollars ?
Do you see that eagle on that silver dol
lar? 1t is screaming that that dollar Is
worth gold dollar But said the
landlord, we cannot hear the eagle
scream over here. This was surprise to
Robinson who thought that the eagles
screams could be heard all over the world
and that 80 cents worth of silver plus
scream from the eagle would pass for
dollar anywhere Do you know, my son,
what Smith, Brown and Robinson learned
there p
THAT landlords are unreasonable, pa,
wasn't it?"
Not exactly, my boy but they learn
ed that the best money in the world is
that which has all the value in itself that
its stamp claims for it and that prom
ise to paH even by Uncle Sam, isn't worth
much when you trade with man who
insists on having stuff instead of prom
ises."
"But, pa, Uncle John says We can have
whatever money we please here in this
great country and let the rest Of the world
do the same"
ayes, yes, that's just like your Uncle
John. He wants TO fence in the United
States does he not? The next time your
Uncle John says such things to you, tell
him that years ago people quit putting
walls around their cities, and that nations
have now quit putting walls along their
coasts at least they are knocking off
some of the top boards We want to
trade with some of the rest of the world,
my boy. und we are going to do it; and
in order to do it we mnst have money
that the world will take. Is that clear to
you ?"
Eyes, pa, but can not the government
make money whenever it wants to ?"
"No more, my son, than it can make
sunshine, or wind, or brains-for the pop
ulists."
"But, pa, why could not the govern.
ment just issue paper dollars aud call il
money and say that the people had tc
take ?"
"My sou, if you'll just move out west
you'll soon be sent to Congress you'll
make fnancier. Why No man except
one with pigmy brain will claim thai
any legislative body can by an act create
money of intrinsic value. No man whC
has any respect for his reputation for san
: ity will claim that CO sress can MAKE
} money without something to base it on
The money it makes Is promise to pay
and the thing to be paid in redeeming th
promise must have some value in itself.
"Why isn't the government stamI
! enough to make the money go, pa?
Because, my son, no honest govern
t ment will stamp paper as money withOu
intending to redeem it. And when
t man thinks there is some doubt whethe
the government can redeem it, be will no
take the promises at their face value.
e private citizen, have just as much NOR
al right to print lot Of promises to PGy
call them dollars, and trade them off t
my trusting neighbors for wheat, corn an
groceries, and then never try to redeem
5 the promises"