The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-12

Secretary Carli-lo Tells what Law Gov
erns the Matter.


The HarrodsDurg lKy.) Democrat says:
DR.. II. Plummer. leading sound-money
Democrat OF Harrodsburg. had a contro-
versy with "a leading free-sllver Democrat
OF Danville-whose name has been men
TONED for CongreSs-in which the Dan
VIII man complained that Secretary Car
isle was discriminating against silver by
always paying out gold when parties
brought greenbacks or treasury notes 10
the treasury for redemption. Tho har-
rodsburg man wrote t. secretary Car
Isle FOR light. and We publish his letter
in reply below. II cdcctually disposes OF
a common objection among iree-siiVer al %
y0cafes TO the alleged fayoritsm OF the
Secretary shown toward gold, and on the
contrary plainly shows that there is an
actual discrimination I'm favor of silver,
the Government paying the express
charges on silver 20 all those who VIII
take IL ia exchange for United States cur
rcncy or national bank notes. Following
Is the letter in Secretary Carlisle's own
tcrse words:
Treasury Department. Office Of the
Secretary Washington, -. c., February
H. 1S9G.-Mr. II. Plummer, Harrodsburg'
Ky-My Dear Sir: Your favor or Janu-
airy - was duly received, but have been
so overwhelmed with public business that
il has been impossible for me to attend to
my personal correspondence until now.
THE act of July II. 1890 provides that
the treasury notes shall be redeemed on
presentation by the holder in gold or sill
yer. at the discretion Of the Secretary OF
the Treasury. but it also declares that II
is the established policy Of the United
States TO maintain the parity Of the TWO
metals upon the existing ratio, or any
ratio that may be provided by law, ana
this latter provision compels the secretary
10 pay in gold when gold Is demanded,
and I'm silver when silver is demanded. II
he should force the holder OF note 70
take silver when he demands gold, MS ac-
ton would constitute such a dlscrlmild-
ton between the two metals as would de-
strov their parity. In other words. the
only way i'm which the parity can be main
tanned Is 10 treat the coin Of both metals
precisely alike i'm making payments on
government account and I'm receiving pay
ments Of demands due 10 the government
our free-cOlnage friends certainly can
urge no valid objection against such Il
policy. becarse every man who wants ST.
yer will get 10 I'm any quantity he may dr-
sire. and IN fact. the holders OF SILVER
certificates or treasury notes may oepo7't
them with the treasurer OF the Ohlru
states. or any assistant treasurer, and
silver dollars OF an equal amount VIII %
sent TO them 10y express at the expense or
the government. This is not done with
regard 10 gold. or any other form or our
money. but the purpose is 10 encourage
as much as possible the circulation or SILL
yer among the people by aNording them
the best possible facilities for obtaining
20.
az inclose herewith n circular IN rcla-
ticn 10 the issue and redemption OF cur
rency. dated November ]. 1891. which VIII
give you additional information upon TINS
subject. Yours very truly
81. g.. CARLISLE.
We give below two sections or the Ia"
referred TO by Secretary Carlisle:
"Soction 4. Standard silver dollars are
issued by the treasurer and assistant
treasure. I'm redemption of silver GER
tiecates and treasury notes OF $500, ana
are sent bv express. at the expense OF the
government. I'm sums or multiples OF 500,
for silver certificates or treasury notes
Of 1870 deposited with the treasurer or
any assistant treasurer.
Section =. Upon the deposit of an equiv
alent sum in United states currency OF
national bank notes with the treasurer or
any assistant treasurer or national BANS
depository. fractional silver coin Will be
paid I'm any amount by the treasurer or
assistant trcasurers I'm the cities Whefe
their several Offices are. or viii be- sent ~
express. i'm sums Of 5000 or more, at the
expenee OF the government