Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-24


Ex-Governor Boies, OF Iowa, again
announces his firm belief that the
proposition for the free coinage OF sill
yer at the present legal ratio Is en-
tirely impracticable, and is again
urging plan for the further utiliza-
tion OF silver. He proposes that the
United States Treasury shall purchase
and hold silver and gold in like guam
titles equal to 20 per cent. OF the face
value of all its outstanding notes, such
notes to be redeemed In silver or gold
at the market price or in coin IL de-
manded. He also proposes that the
Treasury shall issue certificates in ex-
change for any deposit Of silver or
gold expressing upon them the market
value of the metal received on the day
OF its deposit, the notes to be redeem
able at the same value. While his
proposition is not looked upon as a
practicable one, it is interesting at
least in showing that the intelligent
men who couple of years ago were
urging the adoption of free coinage at
IL to l are rapidly coming to the con-
clusion that the plan is no longer
practicable.
1t is reported that Mr.. Bryan is about
to visit New England to make few re-
marks on the necessity OF the free coin
age of silver. New England is the only
spot in the United States where there
is break in the chain of prosperity,
and of course Mr.. Bryan, like his fell
low-calamity howlers, welcomes this
opportunity To find listeners TO the
tale of woe which they presented to
the people during the general depres-
sion consequent upon free-trade condi-
few people willing to listen. 1t might
be we'll, however, for Mr.. Bryan and
others who are charging up the condi-
tions which exist in the New England
cotton factories to the currency and
tariff legislation of the Republican
party to remember that these same
laws exist in the south, where cotton
mills are now making large dividends
and running overtime TO meet their
orders.
~.
Julian Hawthorne, the novelist, who
is now in Cuba as a special correspon-
dent, has published "a comparison be-
tween the scenes in Cuba and scenes in
the famine districts of India from which
he has recently returned. He says that
conditions ia Gu ba are today worse than
they were in India. Some of the bus
mess men of New York city have APP
pealed to President Mckinley to take
steps to end the Cuban war on the
ground of its destruction Of commerce,
stating that in the last three years
$500, 900, 900 Of profitable trade has been
lost. Secretary of Navy Long, before
committee OF congress, represents
that the United States navy will be
badly crippled in the event OF war by a
total lack OF dry-docks for its larger
ships. Meantime, Spain is hastily in
creasing her navy and is reported to
have purchased number of vessels
from foreign powers.
When the Maine appeared in the
harbor at Havana, it is said that Spain
sent an almost angry protest against
the presence OF the American battle
ship, wnereupon the United States sent
the Cushing to reinforce the Maine.
An added incident OF interest was the
action of the Havana authorities in the
case OF the yacht Buccaneer belonging
to the owner Of New York daily
paper. This vessel was fined $500 for
an alleged violation of harbor regula-
tions. An offer was made to remit the
fine upon condition that the yacht
would not again visit Cuban waters.
The $500 was, however, paid under
protest, and a resolution has passed
the senate directing the state depart
ment to investigate the matter.
~.
Here are some figures which might
be convenient to have at hand when
the calamity shriekers Of 1896 resume
their occupation OF telling the people
that the money of the country cannot
increase without the adoption OF free
coinage. The treasury departments
official figures show that the money in
circulation in the United States on
February /, 1898, was 81, 729, 99l, 22S
against 81, SOC, 434, 1865 at the date of the
nomination of Mr.. Bryan and the adop-
tion OF the more-money platform of
1895. Here is an increase OF about
1925 200, 900 of money in circulation
since the declaration by the Democracy
that no Increase in currency could be
had without the adoption of the free
coinage Of silver.
The January customs receiDts under