davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The advocate., 1896-07-22

5O-Cent dollar doctrine. With a regu.
lar annual increase Of about 83O, ,0O0, 600
In silver coin, not including o large
amount Of half dollars, quarters and
dimes that were being coined oil the
time, we find that our stock Of gold
actually increased nearly four fold, and
the silver dollar held It's own. What
good reason can be assigned for the
assertion that with free coinage now
different result would followl
Free COinsge would not, probably,
give US more than so to 60 million dol
lars a year, and our population has in
creased from $685. ,7S3 in 1880, to
81, ,622, $50 In 1880. 1t Is now estimated
at more than 100000. We could
have silver dollar coinage Of $50, ,OOO,-
600 annually the next twelve years and
not have larger per capita silver coin
age than we had from 1873 to 1880.
The total product Of our silver mines
was $64, ,0OO, 900 In 1894. We have not
yet received the figures for 1896. 1t is
not likely that there will be much If
any increSse In the near future, for
gold is now in the lead. A very large
amount of both metals Is used In the
arts, and the annual average Is increas-
ing steadily.
With free coinage we should have
little II any more bullion brought to
our mints than our own mines give
forth.
The advocate., 1896-07-22
A WORD ABOUT 5O-CENT DOLLARS.

OF course everybody understands
that when our gold standard neighbors
talk about 50-cent dollars they mean
silver dollars valued according to the
market value of silver bullion meas
ured by gold coin whose value Is fixed
by law,
We all know, too, that when silver
people demand free coinage, these
same gold standard folk refer as to the
large coinage of silver dollars under
the Bland Allison law Of 1873, In order
to show that they, the gold men, have
been very liberal in their practice
toward silver.
What the ADVOCATE would like to
know on this particular point is, why
did not our silver coinage under that
law depreclate to 50-cent dollarsP The
law was in force something over twelve
years and upward Of 378,0OO,0O0 silver
dollars were coined during that time.
Instead Of these coins depreciating
One-hslf and gold flying out Of the
country, the coin remained at par all
the time and our gold coin and bullion
in the treasury increased from $780,
G36, ATS, July l, 1879, to 1921, ,3O4, ,1O6,
July /, 1890.
During the same period, gold coin
and bullion In circulation increased
from S1lO,5O5, ,S62tO S479, ,6S7, 1851. These
figures are taken from table No. IA, on
page "a Of the Statistical Abstract Of
the United States for 1895.
Here we have practical test Of the
The advocate., 1896-07-22
NOTES AND COMMENT.

Italy will increase It's military sppropri-
alton.
Vice President Stevenson will support
Bryan.
There are two Republican tickets in Del
aware.
Solon Chase, the old greenback leader Of
Maine, is for Bryan.
The Pail Mall Gazette (LOndon) wants to
see Mckinley elected.
South Dakota PopulistS by vote Of two
to one indorsed Bryan.
New York papers refer to silver people
as western hay-Seeds."
Secretary Herbert Of the Navy Depart
ment will not support Bryan.
Almost all Of the State Silver conven-
tions are declaring for Bryan.
An attempt was made July IA TO sssas-
slnate the President of France.
Bland will be candidate for reelection
to Congress from his old district.
A Bryan club composed Of travelling men
has been organized at St. Louis.
The Boston Daily Standard, an A. p. A.
paper, has suspended publication.
Governor Bushnell Is candidate for
John Sherman's seat In the Senate.
Ex-President Harrison will make gold
standard speeches during the campaign.
The Nebraska POpullSt State cOnVen-
tioD favored Bryan by vote Of 800 TO "a.
The Supreme court Of Ohio has decided
that an election wager cannot be collected.
Governor Holcomb and Senator Allen
head the Nebraska delegation TO st. Louis.
A large number Of representative labor
union men Of New York are declaring for
Bryan.
Henry WatterSOn Is being talked Of as
the man TO head the gold standard Demo
crst ticket
State Senators George L. Finn and Cor
riI, both Republicans Of Iowa, win not
support Mckinley.
The gold standard Democrats Of Illinois
have held . conference and issued an sd-
The advocate., 1896-07-22

THE Republican papers have q great
deal to say about the "brutal majority"
which turned down the gold crowd at
the Chicago convention. This "brutal
majority" accorded to the opposition
more rights and privileges than were
given to the minority by a certain other
"brutal majority" at st. Louis a few
weeks previous.
The advocate., 1896-07-22

nrst bought from silver miners and coined on
its own account, pledging itself by law to see
TO It that such coins were kept at an equality
with gold, although the actual silver in sill
YER dollar Is worth 50 cents less than the gold
In q gold dollar. The silver coined by the gov
ernment on its own account has been kept
equal to dollar by the government credit and
bV the governments ability TO exchange at
any time the better money for the poorer. Sill
YER has been subsidiary coinage in one sense,
although it has been full legal tender to any
amount,
Can it be that the Topeka Capital
the leading morning daily paper In the
State, does not know better than thatp
Look over those words, dear reader.
The government buys silver and coins
it, pledging itself By las0 to see that
such coins G0ere Kept on an equality
,Oith gold, and 80 on.
The government has done nothing of
the kind. The Capital cannot find
line or sentence Of law that provides
anything like that. The first law au-
thorizlng the coinage of silver dollars
out of purchased bullion was the
Bland Allison act, passed February %,
1873, which provides
That there shall be coined at the several
mints Of the United States, silver dollars Of
the weight Of 4l215 grains troy Of standard sill
YER, as provided in the act of January IS, 1887,
on which shall be the devices and superscip-
tions provided by said act; which coins, to-
getheF with all silver dollars heretofore coined
by the United States, OF like weight and fine
ness, shall be legal tender at their nominal
value, for all debts and dues, public and pri'
vate, except whore otherwise expressly stipu-
lated In the contract
Those are the first words Of the first
section of the act. The rest Of the Sec
tion provides for the purchase Of not
less than 100000 worth and not
more than 100000 worth of bullion
each month for such coinage.
There is not word not even an in
timstion-in any part Of that law,
promising or pledging the government
to keep these silver coins at an equal.
ity with gold" They are declared to
be ''legal tender" and that is all there
is about 1t.
Nor does the "psrity" clause In the
Sherman law Of 1890 contain any such
provision, and that act was passed in
order to defeat the passage of free
coinage bill. There never was any
such law, and the Capital ought to
know 1t If it does not.
The advocate., 1896-07-22

uFeSS urging Obu9E Ob8UoS w aaalSb 1u9m
in forming and holding another DemOcFs
convention.
All Eastern Democrats who are bank
presidents or corporation directors are de-
Claring for Mckinley.
Andre, Swedish Dronaut, win start ON
a voyage for the North Pole in a balloon
some time this month.
Wyoming Populists sent an unlnstructed
delegation to ST. Louis and nominated
William Brown for Congress.
Senator Gray Of Delaware thinks that
the gold Democrats should cOnfne their
fight to an effort tU control Congress.
A convention Of New Hampshire Demo
Gratis has been called to determine what
shall be done about the National ticket.
Breckenridge, whose reputation is not as
good as 1t might be, will be q candidate for
Congress again. He favors the gold stand
ard.
Ex.Presldent Harrison win spend Che
summer in the Adirondack mountains.
He does not seem TO be much Interested In
the campaign.
Senator Chandler Of New Hampshire ID
quoted as saying that II this silver move
ment keeps on growing no power on earth
can elect Mckinley.
Senator Quay has resigned the CHAIR
manship Of the Pennsylvania Republican
committee In order to devote his time TO
the National campaign.
Ex-Secretary Whitney says that "there
are no possible conditions or circumstances
that would induce me to vote for or assist
1t (the Chicago ticket"
An ovation was given by Boston Demo-
Gratis last week to George F. Williams, the
Massachusetts, Democrat who assisted In
the fight for silver at Chicago.
A Philadelphia Democrat who had been
nominated for Presidential Elector has
resigned because he cannot see his way
clear to vote for Bryan II elected.
The Socialist Labor party has nomi-
mated Charles H. Matchett Of Brooklyn
for President, and Alderman MCGUIRE OF
Paterson, N. D., for Vice President.
Bryan occupied seat in the press gal
lery Of the Republican National conven-
tlOn as correspondent Of the Omaha
World. Herald, OF which he is editor.
w. "A. LaFollet, whom the POpullStS
have nominated for Railroad Commits
siOner in South Dakota, Is former Repuh-
llcan. He was delegate to the st. Louis
convention.
Ex-Governor Russell Of Massachusetts,
who was prominently mentioned as q gold
standard candidate for the Democratic
nomination for President, died Of heart
disease at fishing village in Canada
July 16,
After all the Republican talk Of the Chi
cago ticket being put up by free silver an
archists, Herr Most, the most rabld
anarchist in the country, has declared for
the gold standard. He says he would be
glad to have q diamond standard IL such
thing were practicable.
The dispatches state that over one hun
dred Republican newspapers In Minnesota
have bolted the party finance platform.
Among the prominent men who have taken
the same action are Congressman Towne,
ex.Congressman Lind, Lieutenant Gov
ernor Day, Frank N. Nye, and scores Of
others.
George r. Peck, who is regarded as one
of the best orators Of the West, says Of the
Bryan convention speech; "That was
wonderful speech. Bryan Is the Patrick
The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-11-12

the parapets wildly waving their hats,
and eager to witness the fray which was
soon to begin within easy cannon shot.
The blockading squadron consisted of
the frigates Cumberland and Congress
off Newport News, of 80 and so guns,
respectively. A few miles out, under
frowning Fortress Monroe, were three
other frGates and half a dozen gun
boats, all of which could have been
available within half an hour after he
beginning OF the battle.
1t was a calm, hazy afternoon, and
while the intention of the confederates
was known, the wild and hazardous at
tempt to smash the blockade was not
expected that afternoon at least, for he
vessels wore q half-holiday appearance.
In fact, it was washday, and the rigging
was full of sailors clothes hung out to
dry. The Virginia had been hurried to
completion, and so great was the haste
that up to the morning of the attack
work of completion was going on. The
engines had not been tried. the guns had
not been fired as an experiment. She
had been foated 80 feet in order to test
her capacity for maneuvering, and twas
The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-11-12

not known whether or not the rudder
would work, which, by a strange over
sight, had been left exposed, and came
near causing her destruction before she
did any damage.
When within about mile of the first
blockaders, according to the statements
of some of those who viewed it at a safe
distance. the Cumberland and Congress
opened fire upon the Merrimac Tor Nir-
ginia}, followed by the land batteries.
The shots seemingly had about as much
effect upon the ironclad as would pour
ing water upon q ducks back. The
Merrimac wisely reserved her fire until
within a few hundred yards Of the Cum
berland, when she gave her shot, and
Immediately SO Unanswered as to give
the Congress q broadside.
She then made direct for the Cumber-
land, striking her almost at right
angles, and opening hole in her large
enough to drive in horse and buggy
as spectator expressed it. THE masts
began to totter as ii she was in gale
and In few rainutes she went down
With q roar, end her crew with Der
- Vi = =
The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-11-12

sinking in so feet Of water with her
flag still flying" The ram had be-
come detached and was left in the hull
of the sinking Cumberland, rendering
her almost powerless for future harm
in that line, like a bee which leaves its
sting in the object attacked. The ram
was a ten-foot steel projectile, sharp
cncd as wedge, placed ut the prov of
the vessel, three feet under water.
The Merrimac then turned her at
tention to the Congress, which vessel
had been showering shot upon her
all the time, and opened on her when
within about 200 yards. In the mean
time the sinking Cumberland, with
flag still flying, never ceased to fire,
until the crew were driven from their
guns by the rapidly filling water. and
within half an hour from the begin
ming of the attack she went down
with more than hundred souls.
The Congress continued the fight for
about an hour, assisted by three other
vessels; and three of the James river
| feet came on the troubled scene to as
meantime two of the federal feet ran
aground, as had the Congress. Being
thus practically alone, the Congress run
up the white flag. Still in the confusion
and smoke of battle, the federal shore
batteries continued firing, killing some
! confederates and their own wounded
who were being taken from the
grounded Congress. AS the Monitor
drew twentythree feet of water, and
could not draw off her prize. hot shot
was fired into the vessel, and she was
soon ablaze. The flames crept up the
rigging, the masts and spars and sails
illuminated the sky in zigzag lines OF
dazzling fire. For several hours the
flames ragged. Night had come, mild and
calm, and the beauty of the southern
skies made the weird scene one never to
be forgotten. The black hull of the YES
sci was reflected by the glittering fire
The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-11-12
FOREIGN GOSSIP,

-Lerrosy has appeared at Dorche,.
ter in England, the patient being H.
year-old boy just back from Singapore.
where his father had been warden in
the government prison. 1t is another
Indication that the common impression
10 wrong thaG Europeans living in conn
tries where leprosy is common do not
contract the disease.
-"Chocolat," Paris dog, without a
master, is earning his own living by
visiting restaurants at regular inter.
walls and killing the rats. He is fas-
tidious in his tastes, frequenting only
the fashionable restaurants near the
Madeleine, the cafe concerts in the
Champs Elysees, and the establish
nents in the Bots de Boulogne
Riff pirates are again active. They
recently attacked the Spanish steamer
Sevilla, with party of engineers on
board who were examining sites for
new lighthouses. The steamer took
refuge from a storm behind Cape Tres
Forcas, when SO heavy a rifle fire was
opened on her from the shore that she
had to put ont her lights and run out
to sea.
Nicholas II. is first in the sale of
busts in Paris just now, the place
usually held by Napoleon |. After
them come Beethoven, Mozart and
Chopin, Moliere, Raci5e and Corneille,
Pasteur and Victor Hugo. When he
was prisoner at Clairvaux, the Due
d'Orleans' bust sold we2 There is very
little demand now for Gambetta and
Gen. Boulanger. Carnot leads Felix
Faure, who runs neck and neck with
Leo XIII.
Potato buying seems to be an ex-
citing pursuit in Brittany. The farm
ers of Pont rAbbe made combine,
agreeing that they would not sell their
potatoes for less than three francs and
half per sack of so Kilograms. Some
English traders appeared who took two
and a half francs a sack, whereupon
the Bretons beat them severely and
held one of them over cliff until he
promised to pay their price. ,
Some medical students travelling on
the train between Seville and Cordova
stuck skull on the head of cane and
held it up to the window of the next
compartment, accompanying the per-
Torrance with groaHs. A woman
opened the door and tried to jump out
when the train was stopped, and it was
found that one old lady had died OF
| fright, another had tainted, and an old
| man had lost his reason.
Prince Loba noff- Rostowski was tho
| fourth foreign minister that Russia has
| had in SO years. Count Nesselrode held
the Office from 1914 to 1862; Prince
| Gortchakoff from 1862 to 1882; Baron
de Giers from 1882 to 1895, while Prince
Lobanoff had held it only little over
a year. They were all well advanced
in years at their death, Nesselrode be.
ing 70 years of age; Gortchakoff, s.;
De Giers, Is. and Ilobanoff, 70. During
the time they held Office France had
20 ministers of toraigr affairs.
The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-11-12

in the almost calm waters upon whose
bosom such bloody tragedy was being
enacted. Slowly the fire reached the
loaded guns and shells. which burst as
peals Of thunder, reverberating and
echoing over the bay. filling the air with
engines of death. Shortly after mid
night the flames reached the powder
magazine. a huge volume of smoke
arose from the vessel, followed by red
flame as if from the crater of a vol
cane. and after the stiffness of second,
which seemed an age, there was a ter
rife roar, and the air was filled with
cannon balls, fragments of the vessel,
and dead bodies of human beings. The
vessel had blown up, leaving only her
black hulk, even at the waters edge.
The Merrimac, having lost only a few
men, including Commander Buchanan,
who was severely wounded, now retired
under the confederate batteries at Sew
all's point, intending to return next
morning and finish up the remaining
portion of the blockading fleet.
Accordingly, next morning about day
light, the victorious Merrimac. minus
her ram, slowly steamed out into I1amp-
ton Roads, to begin where she had left
off, notwithstanding that it was Sun
day and day of rest. She would have
| vessels with her broken prov on the day
| before, only that they were aground and
could not be reached. So, no sooner had
she opened fire on the Minnesota, still
aground than out stepped the little Mon
| itor and blazed away as an intimation
that she would take hand in the free
for-all fight. This was as much sur
prise to the confederates as the sudden
attack of the day before was to the
| federals. The Monitor had only arrived
the night before at Fort Monroe. just in
timeto hear the heavy firing and see the
blowing-up of the Congress. The Mon
itor, also, had been hastily completed at
New York, and hurried to the scene
without the usual trial trip. She was of
| Light draft, and maneuvered better than
the Merrimac. The fun began about
seven o'clock, lasting until two, when
the Monitor crossed over into a channel
where the heavy-draft Merrimac could
not follow, and she also retired. This
terrible artillery duel was within very
close range, never further than half d
mile, and often the vessels were not
20 feet apart-the intention of the Mer.
rimac was to board and capture the
queer-looking Monitor. The Merrimat
lost only two killed and 10 wounded
The Monitor suffered an equal loss, he1
captain being totally blinded by powder
The battle was witnessed by thou.
sands, many of whom still live to tel
the story as if they were in it. Though!
the battle was draw, both vessels were
short-lived. The confederates burned
the Merrimac on evaemtiug Norfolk
and the Monitor was lost in gale of,
Cape Hatteras few months later.
| ], ~ acASr.ASp,
The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-11-12
FAMOUS NAVAL DUEL.
Memories Of the Merrimao and
Monitor Engagement.
Ths Confederate Rams Destruction of
tie Federal Frigates Cumberland and
Congress and Her Defeat by
Ericsons Queer Graft.
Especial Norfolk (Va.) Letter !

A few days ago | sailed out INTO
the greatest naval engagement in the
history of the world, all Of which |
heard and part OF which | saw from our
camp a short distance up the James
river. This was 81 years ago, and
though Il mere boy, the grand scene Of
the explosion and the terrible noise of
thc cannonading is still fresh in my
memory 1t was grand and sublime;
vet, horrible in its execution.
This memorable battle was witnessed
bv the land and naval forces of both
armies in the immediate vicinity, many
officers and soldiers coming down to get
nearer view as soon as the CannOnad-
ing began. On the 6th of March, 1862,
about one o'clock in the afternoon,
when the ram Merrimac, or Virginia,
was seen steaming out toward the
federal blockade in Hampton RoaGs,
the city of Norfolk was wild with ex-
element, and the old citizens still de-
light in relating the events of that
memorable time. Those who did not
take to the woods or cellars swarmcd
upon the beach and Ell! oyed the combat,
though with considerable misgivings,
for the confederate steamer. Virginia,
and the few land batteries at SewaiEs
Point were the only defenscs to Nor
folk. AS the Virginia slowly passed
cut to attack the blocllading squadron
| she was chcered by citizens and the sol
| diers at the batteries who stood upon
The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-11-12
BRITISH MUSICIANS.
Have tho Basest, Most SOrdid Views Of
Life and Art.

The foreign musician at least loves
music; in all cases his youth was spent
in hearing as much of it as possible,
and in many cases he continues to tho
end to be an iuveterate concert and
opera goer. But to the British mu-
sician music is merely means of max
ing money. Even in his youth he is
rarely enthusiastic; he begins early to
look for line that will pay, and in his
middle old age he is merely hardened
place grabber. II he gets into one OF
the musical rings ne never dreams OF
taking advantage of his position to
press forward this or hat kind Of music
or even his peculiar theoretical views.
but uses it simply to add places as fast
as he can to those he has already se-
cured. 1t is reckonea matter of course
in this country that man should be
professor a two or three music schools,
organist at a church. lecturer for
society, conductor OF a choral society.
conductor OF provincial festival and
should turn out large number of pop
ular part songs and anthems. One or
Sohf'I viii PidihSH " iiit "a 'iiS ia M "
running five churches, the plan being
to put deputies in and take a profit on
their work, and when l asked why he
did it he stared as grocer would stard
if you asked why lie sold groceries.
Musicians of this class are happily
in the habit of dying of "overwork,"
and the musical and other papers print
pathetic obituary notices in which tho
fact is never mentioned that the de-
ceased would have led happier and
more useful life and probably would
have lived much longer had he not been
such a place grabber. These "musi'
clans" are the curse of music in Eng.
land. They grab everything and draw
big pay for doing badly what the few
genuine musicians who do appear at
long intervals would gladly receive
small pay for doing we'll, and by their
talk and their example they inculcate
the basest and most sordid views OF
life and of art in those who come under
their influence. So long as wealth and
reputation reward place grabbing on
the one hand and poverty and obscurity
| or contempt on the other so long will
| we produce thousand place grabbers,
big and little, for one genuine musician.
| and so long will we have to 20 abroad
| for our genuine music.-London Satur.
day Review
The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-11-12
Reflected Glory.

Mrs. Garish-Why is it that Mrs.
Spooner goes about with Mrs. Dumley
SO much? They have nothing in COM
mon, and I declare Mrs. Dumley is not
only the homeliest but the most stupid
person / ever saw.
Mrs. Angel-Haven't you observed
what splendid background Mrs. Dunn.
ley is to reflect against? That's what
makes the men all rave over the Spoon
er woman.-Cleveland Leader.
The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1896-11-12
A Sure Sign.

,Iobbs-Blinks and his mother-in-law
have had another row.
Crooks-How do You know?
"IIe treated al! hands when he came
downtown this morning" ~r AoT'a
American,