The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1896-07-25
BOOKS ON THE MONEY QUESTION.

| am one Of several million who know not
even the first principles of the money ques-
ton, and in common with the rest prob
ably, would like to get book on the sub
ject and read up 1 want something fairly
written, giving the arguments for both gold
and silver. ! don't expect to find work ex-
pressing preference in the matter for
an able author usually has opinion; but
l want something at once authoritative as to
statistics and facts, and fair and logical as to
argument.
Can you tell me what to get? By so doing
you will greatly oblige "A Subscriber.
st. Paul, July %, 1896.
The question asked by this CORE
spondent is an exceedingly important
one. For there is an army Of voters
who should, between this and next No
vember, read up on the money queS-
ton, make up their own minds, and not
take their opinions from anybody.
They will, however, have to devote con-
siderable time to the matter, which is
well worth it. The subject is too large
to, be covered in a brief treatise. and
we do not think that the different ar
guments can all be found stated com
pletely and with fairness in any one
work
AS a beginning, for mere cyclope-
dia of facts, get Muhleman's None
tary Systems of the World. This lit
tie work contains no theory or argu-
ment or explanations; but it does give
all the statistics of the subject with
accuracy.
Money, Trade and Industry" by
Gen. Francis A. Walker, is elementary
and ineligible. Every student should
read it. Gen. Walker Is an ardent BIZ
metallist; by which, Of course, is meant
an advocate of the use of both metals
on equal terms, but not by any one ma
ton at a ratio defying the laws of
value and the conditions of trade
Jevons' work on Money" which was
published, we believe, in the Interna-
tional Scientific Series, is very clear
and concise for beginner. The es-
sential principles are all there
If one can go no further, we should
recommend these books as indispensa
bic and opening the whole subject to
the view of any intelligent man, capa-
BILE of thinking for himself After
they have been digested, it is probable
that the fascination of the subject will
demand more information. The lit
erature of finance embraces several
thousand publications. Out of these,
for second and higher course of read
ing, we would recommend emphatical.
~ Jevons' Investigations in Currency
and Finance" Prof. w. G.. Summers
History Of Banking" and McLeod's
Theory of Credit The last men
toned, though written in a grabbed
style and somewhat difficult to master.
is one of the completest discussions
in existence Of the philosophy Of credit,
which underlies the science of finance.
1t is not until one has prepared
himself by such a course Of reading to
detect sophistry and master partisan
argument that he should attempt to
take UP the purely poler1ical arguments
of recent times; which are not written
to instruct and do not pretend to in
vestigate, but aim at making converts
by whatever means come first to hand.
After a good foundation has been laid
by the study of impartial and scientific
works such as are mentioned above,
our correspondent will find the current
silver arguments stated as we'll as they
have ever been or are likely to be i'll
Coins Financial School" He will
find the best answer to 1t in Coins
Financial Fool" a series of articles
from the Evening Post, written by
Horace White and printed in pamphlet
form. A midway position between the
two. held with much force and more
than usual fairness, is assumed in one
of the paper-covered issues Of the year
entitled III. Sense. Referee"
Most of the books above mentioned
are to be found in the public libraries.
and any of them can be obtained, ex-
cept the more advanced treatises.
through a book seller for a compara-
lively small sum. No man ought to
cast a vote next November without
devoting all the time that he can spare
IN the interim to such self education
as<hs ean obtain from the best books