The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-04

ing back 20 redemption OF our ueple-
ciatod paper money! in gold coin, and
that would come as soon as the war was
over and matters got settled down again.
The very serious chracter Of our rcia-
lions with Spain for the past few weeks
has caused attention 70 be almost entire
ly taken away from consideration Of our
financial condition. But whether we are
TO have war or whether we are not this
should not be the case. The source Of all
the internal Ills OF this republic lies IN the
vicious laws that deprive tho people Of
their ability TO utilize their resources
through free pledging Of their credit
These laws would continue to burden
them II we had war just as they burden
them now. and attention should net be
withdrawn from the amendment and
correction Of them. whether We are un-
fortunately plunged into war or not.
There is no reason whatever that our
present financial status should be In the
least disturbed II we have war. There is
no reason why we should 80 70 a paper
basis or why the Government should not
redeem every dollar Of It's obligations in
gold coin just as Il does now. Our sup
ply Of gold would remain just what # is.
No one would become alarmed for fear
we were going to a silver basis, so that
the gold in the country would be left
here and would not be boarded. And
even II any gold were taken from us We
would stu have access to the supplies Of
the whole world % restore what was
taken away Spain could not blockade
our ports. so that the English. French
and German steamers that ply between
them and the ports OF Europe would con-
tinuo their voyages just az though no war
was lu progress There would be no
change of conditions. therefore, that
should IN any way whatever imporil the
sold standard. and our ability TO continue
gold payments The Government would
have great payments TO make at an
times but IL would sell is bonds for gold.
pay out the gold TO troops and for muni-
lions of war. Whereupon 81 would re-
turn TO general circulation. and when it
needed more money 81 would sell its
bonds again. and repeat the operation
continually. so long as money was neces-
sary. There never was the slightest rea-
son why the United States Government
should have abandoned gold payments at
the beginning Of our civil war, and II 70
had never done so, its debt would not
have been much more than half what it
became. and the country would have been
spared the terrible commissions we have
known since the war, that grew out Of
our illogical and absurd currency sys-
tenn Mr. Chase has been greatly praised
for his 6nancierug, but he made a co..
lossal blunder ana led the country into
pcrils OF the very gravest character.
The Salem Va.) Sentinel enters with IT'S
current issue upon the NTH year Of its
existence, and we are told by the editor
that the Sentinel is now well establish
ed. prosperous institution Of salem. 1t is
certainly one Of the best all-round weekly
papers that comes to this Office and IL
has fairly earned its success.
-------
Il is reliably stated that Ignatus Dom
nelly has stopped debating 70 his ste
nographer-she is now Mrs. Donnelly.
All the buster about war is subsidng.
Anyhow March is able TO do her own
blowing.
The uniting Of the charity work viii not
be approved by the class Of indgents
Who believe in visiting them all.
Tho friendly attitude Of Japan viii sure
ly be recognized during the next chrysan-
themum season.
The retention Of Colonel Richardson
at the Capitol will also have the unquali-
fed endorsement Of the squirrels in the
square.
The vizcaya is now in the Havana har-
Dor. She Will probably keep her gun
cotton wet all right enough.
Kentucky has had an earthquake. We
feared something Of this sort when we
heard that Colonel Jack Chinn had a diff
Guilty with a State senator.
The Labor Bureau. with drawers, roll
ers and knobs intact, has at last been
turned out OF the State carpenter shop
Perhaps it IS q step in the direction
Of prison reform to have the conyicts un-
der the influence Of the sugar refining act.
The news comes that "the Names
back is broken" but the record Of the
Key West correspondents remains un-
touched.
The Government relief expedition to the
Klondike. begun three months ago, has
been abandoned AS spring has come.
those living no longer need IT, and those
who died waiting for It are making no
kick.
With a surplus Of reindeer on hand the
Government may try TO induce senators
to give up bull pups and try other pet
animals.
The Chicago Times-Herald says 1.-THE
gum trees Of Victoria average 800 feet
,.tt % 49,. .l,ss NOV, be efrefched little