Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-02-06
"FATHERS" AND BlMETALLlSM.
Jefferson, Hamilton and jackson Opposed
the Cheap Dollar.


the Cheap Dollar.
In note on the establishment Of
mint Thomas Jefferson in 1791 wrote as
follows:
The proportion between the value Of gold
and silver is mercantile problem altogether.
+s~ Just principles will lead us to disregard
legal proportions altogether, to inquire into
the market price of gold in the several coun-
tries with which we shall principally be con-
nected In commerce and to take an average
from them.
In letter to Mr.. Hamilton in Febru
ary, 1899, Mr.. Jefferson expressed his
opposition to cheapening the dollar or
reducing the monetary unit. He said Of
the dollar:
very much doubt right now to change
the value and especially to lessen 1t. 1t would
lead to so easy q mode Of paying off their debts,
49," Should it be thought, however, that con-
gress may reduce the value Of the dollar,
should be for adopting for our unit, instead Of
tho dollar either one ounce of pure silver or
one ounce Of standard silver, SO as to keep the
unit Of money part Of the system Of meas
ures weights and coins.
Andrew Jackson in his message Of
Dec. 2, 1884, said of the result Of chang
ing tho ratio between gold and silver
and tho consequent return of gold to
this country:
The progress Of oIr gold coinage Is credit.
able to the officers Of the mint and promises
in short period to furnish the country with
a sound and portable currency.
In his message Of Dec. 2, 1885, he
said:
1t Is pleasing to witness tho advantages
which have already been derived from the re-
cent laws regulating the value Of the gold
coinage
In his last message, Dec. 6, 1886,
Andrew jackson described the effects OF
an initiation Of tho currency, and though
he was speaking of bank notes, not al
ways redeemable in coin, his remarks
are equally applicable to any currency
that is not worth intrinsically what it
purports to be worth and to any reduc-
tion of the money unit, whether pa
per dollar worth less than a coin dollar
or a silver dollar worth less than the
gold dollar. He said:
The progress of an expansion, or rather
depreciation, of the currency, by excessive
bank issues, is always attended by a loss to the
laboring classes. This portion Of the commu-
nifty have neither timo nor opportunity to
watch the Gibbs and flows of the money market.
Engaged from day to day in their useful
tolls they do not perceive that although their
wages are noninally the same, or even some
what higher, they are greatly reduced, in fact,
by the rapid increase of Il spurious currency
which, as it appears to make money abound
they are at first inclined to consider blessing
1t is not so with the spccUlatOr, by whom this
operation is better understood and is made to
contribute to his advantage. 1t is not until the
prices Of the neccSsaries of life become so dear
that the lahoring classes cannot supply their
wants out Of their wages that the wages riso
and gradually reach justly proportioned rate
to that Of the products of their labor.
Mr.. Ingham was secretary Of the
treasury in the cabinet of Andrew Jack
son. In 1880 the absence of gold from
the circulation because the mint ratio
was not tho ratio of commerce led the
senate to call Oh Secretary lngham for
a report regarding tho relative value of
gold and silver In his reply, dated May
4, 1880, Mr.. Ingham showed that he
preferred silver to gold, but he did not
pretend that country could have both
in concurrent circulation and under
system of free coinage. This, be argued,
was impossible. Each country had got
to choose which metal it would take.
In this reply to the senate Jackson's
finance minister said:
However exactly the proper equilibrium OF
values of gold and silver may be adjusted at
the mint, the balance IS liable to be disturbed
by causes which can neither be anticipated nor
controlled by political power. If the rcgula
ton be founded on the most exact calculation
Of relative values for the time being the VI
brations OF tho values Of gold and silver must
alternately cause the expulsion Of each, and
where one metal Is more essential to public
convenience than the other the adjustment
which exposes that under any circumstances
to general expectation or melting may be"
come IL greater evil than regulation which
constantly excludes from circulation the less
desirable coin. *** The proposition that there
can be but one standard in fact is self evident.
-+* The history of coinage abounts with mint
regulations to keep gold and silver together
and statutes prohibiting under severe penalties
the expectation of either, all Of which have
disappointed every expectation of their pro-
jectors. The adoption Of one metal as stand
ard measure Of property is recommended ny
Its simplicity No change In the mint regula
tions can ever be required, and it removes ey"
cry pretext for dishonest or Unwise govern
ments to dcbase their coins.
The congressional committee report
made by Campbell p. White in 1881.
agreed with Secretary lngham in favor
ing silver as the standard and in regard
ing two standards, or bimetallism, as
impossible The report said:
The committee think that the desideratum'
In the monetary system il the standard of uni
form value. They cannot ascertain that Goth
metals have ever circulated simultaneously,
concurrently and indiscriminatcly i'll any
country where there are banks or money deal
crs, and they entertain the conviction that tho
nearest approach to an invarable standard Is
its establishment in one metal, which metal
shall compose exclusively the currency Tor
large payments