The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-15
CURRENCY PARAMOUNT.
THE NATIONAL BOARD or TRADE
DECLARES FOR HONEST HONEY.
The Present system Holds an EVer-Im-
pending Danger Of Repetition CT
the Late Difficulties.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 1.-THE National
Board of Trade met here to-day for It's
twenty-eighth annual session, eX-GoVer-
nor stinard. OF ST. Louis, presiding in the
absence Of Mr.. Frederick Fraley, Of Phil
adelphia, who has been president Of the
board since its organization In 1865.
The Organization Committee made its
report which was adopted. on the sub
jet Of currency the report says:
Probably there is no subject which Is
still OF such Importance as that II the
currency. While the uprising I'm favor OF
sound money IN 1895 was not without its
good effect, there is still much 10 be de-
sired I'm the way OF a permanent prosper
ity. which condition is mainly due 20 the
fact that the future Of our monetary sys-
tenn is stlll largely in doubt. Over-conh-
dence as to the continued defeat NJ free
silver, may result in serious trouble.
\ STRANGE FACT.
at is a mistake TO suppose that the
numerous friends Of unsound systems will
be entirely satisfied by a return Of pros
perity. Hard times which originated the
silver question have undoubtedly been
used by interested parties 10 instill false
ideas into the minds OF many OF our peo-
pie. particularly Of working men and
ldiultiSs WHICH nave b'''ilt part OF
their political belief
~ shirt Of unrest and dissatisfaction
still exists among such classes and there
is no evidence that among such any great
conversion from the free silver doctrine
has taken place anywhere I'm the country.
In New York or Nebraska tho opinion
Of the dissatisfied are now practically
the same as bc'Ore the election. Tho
form may have changed
while our present system exists, there
Is the ever-impending danger OF repe-
tition OF our late financial difficulties
when the country would be AT the mercy
Of those who do not have It's best In
terests at heart. In the absence of care
ful attention in the meantime, unless Nv
some very unexpected contingency, we shall
have an unnrecedented degree Of ma
tional prosperity at the time Of the next
general and presidential election. We may
expect 10 see the fiat money issue the Is
sue Of the campaign.
cONsI'LAR SERVICE.
One OF the most important reports pre-
scented and adOpted was that OF Jonathan
A. Lane. OF Boston. a reform OF the Con-
sular service The report advocated the
extension OF the civil service rules 70
cover the Consular service 10 the ehd OF
securing practical business men In the SER
tees.
A report was adopted from the Com
mittee on Uniformity OF state Laws.
This especially looks to the unifying OF
commercial laws in the various states.
The Torrens bill received the endorse
ment OF the meeting This measure relates
to the unifylng Of the land Jaws OF tne
several states so as TO make the methods
81 land transfer and the clearing OF IL
ties the same throughout the country;
simplifying the various processes and
reducing the expense to the minimum;
The recommendations OF surgeon Cen
eral Wyman for national quarantine
law were discussed at length anu near
tilv endorsed
The venerable president OF the Board
Frank Fraley. OF philadelphia. who has
held office ever since the organization OF
the National Board. was, as usual unan-
im0usly reelected.