The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-07-22

the shape Of actual exchangable Vaiue.
our constitution provided for gold ana
silver. and the unit of value IS rated anu
fixed on the basis OF labor required IN
furnishing the metals.
The function OF the government, then, -
10 stamp the value OF coin on its face,
when the metal. then put in convenient
shape and bearing the government $
certificate, becomes current. Now. II Is
not necessary, In ortier TO a swap Of COM
mcdities that actual money be paid from
one 10 another This may be done by
transfer OF credits. by means Of checks.
drafts. notes. etc. all based on and back
ed I'D by this actual money. The func-
ticn OF proper money Is explained in the
same manner-it IS currency based on
money. Then there must OF necessity be
a standard OF value. inhexible and un-
changeable. This is as necessary as II Is
to have a standard Of time. Of weights
and measures. etc.
There should OF course. be sufficient
amount Of actual money In circulation
fer purposes Of small individual transac-
items. but further than this the amount
OF money i'm circulation has no bearing
on the laws Of supply and demand ana
prices. monetary Initiation or debased
currency however. Will unsettle the
normal condition OF these fundamental
laws in their application.
The free-sllver idea Is 10 initiate the
currency with nfty-three cent dollars,
bearing the government stamp that they'
are one hundred-cent dollars. This means
that all owners of silver bullion can take
theip metal to the mint and get this
large profit for Il, and then these debased
dollars shall be empted into the channels
q trade. that flush times may come 10
the pcople IL is the veriest illusion I'M
imaginable. Prices would not only az
inst themselves TO the cheaper money
lint the latter would unsetue all our
great business enterprises and interests
and result I'm untold injury 10 the very
pocple IN whose interests the new oruer
OF things was professedly esttohsheu'
II IS as logical as 10 say the low prices
the farmer receives for his products can
be remedied by a readjustment OF stand
ard measurements. whereby a bushel
would be reduced TO a half bushel. or OF
the standard OF time divisions, Whereby
fortv-eigbt hours would constitute day
from sun 10 sun. that the time-iaboret
may make more hours in a days Work
7,he arbitrary act OF government can no
morc change natural fundamental cohul-
tions in the one than in the other case
The needs OF the times are a goiu
standard-the standard OF the woriu ~
large. and a cessation Of agitation OF tne
question Of an impossible douole Stdilu-
ard Ga nnsnomeD; the freedom OF the
people 10 have their local banks "hic"
would relieve rural districts ct the
scarcity OF a medium Of exchange 'he
RELOCATION TO the rear 4 the denakogues
and political heelers. the selection N
men fer lawmakers and executors from
a standard Of honesty. and fitness. rather
than on the principle Of reward for party
services: tho substitution of a spirit OF
true and manly patriotism. for that ct a
s,ckly party sentimentalism. BIND
subserviency 10 party IS curse of the
age-the wcrst part OF the time. men
should vote on principle. We are crucihed
on &c cross of party sentimentalism
The DemOcr0-POpulo platform is OBJ
noxicus in principle and bears sugges-
lions Of worse policies than those openly
advocated. The Gross Of Geld and
Grown Of Thorns" platitudes may be-
come more far-reachng as a rallying cry
than Mr. Bryan intended or wished, or
than his clever supporters desire. Behind
the ranks Of good and true. but mistaken
men who hear aloft this banner, are other
strata. The shibbOleth "the masses
against the oppression of concentrated
wealth" win be echoed from the distance.
Tabor against capital" Around this
standard will gather along with the
good and true element OF different classes.
the professional agitatOr. the frceboC ter
and the idlcr. 20 say nothing of other
classes. The masses are honest. but ii is
not a question Of good intentions but OF
cause and effect. The highest interests
Of an classes OF good citizens. OF course
including the honorable and sincere men
who are following the Bryan flag demand
that this ticket shall Doe defeated. That 10
will be defeated is evidenced 10y the UNI
preccdented revolt Of people and press
and the forced Apologize attitude Of the
comparatively few papers supporting lt
VIRGINIA.
| Richmond. Va. Jnlv D. 1896.