The Advocate and news., 1898-03-16
The Massachusetts, Idea,

The Massachusetts, Idea.
In another place attention is called to
"the practical idea Of honest money"
When independence was declared, and
after the war of the Revolution began,
the people were sorely pressed for ways
and means Of raising public revenues
Taxes must be paid for the common use,
but when a certain amount was to be
paid and at time when prices, named
in money terms, were varying, a Ques-
tlon arose as to the fair way of pre-
venting a wanton spollation of property
out of which the tax money must come.
In Massachusetts, the idea OF abstract
justice took form in way Of adjusting
the value Of money to that Of other
property. Here Is a copy OF an instru-
ment which will explain itself and at the
same time present an absolutely correct
idea Of honest money:
No. 1891.
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS, BAY.
G239..11.3. The First Day
VI poAuaA 6As ~ AAOVs
In behalf Of the State Of Massachu-
setts Bay, |, the subscriber, do hereby
promise and oblige myself and success
ors in Office Of Treasurer of said State,
to pay unto Asa Rider or to his order,
the sum of two hundred thirty-nine
Pounds-11-Sd, on or before the First
day Of March, in the year Of our Lord
One Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty
one, with interest at Six per Cent, per
Annum: Both Principal and Interest
to be paid in the then current Money OF
said State, in greater or less sum, ac-
cording as Five Bushels OF CORN, sixty
eight Pounds and four-seventh Parts Of
Pound Of BEEF, Ten Pounds of
SHEEPS WOOL, and Sixteen Pounds Of
SOLE LEATHER shall then cost, more
or less than One Hundred and Thirty
Pounds current Money at the then cur
rent prices Of said Articles.-This sum
being Thirty Two Times and an Half
what the same Quantities Of the Same
Articles would cost at the Prices az
fixed to them in Law Of this State
made in the Year Of our Lord One Thou
sand Seven Hundred and Seventy Seven,
entitled, "An Act to prevent Monopoly
and Oppression" The current Prices Of
said Articles, and the consignment Value
Of every Pound of the Sum herein prom
ised, to be determined agreeable to a
LAW Of this State entitled, can ACT to
provide for the security and Payment OF
the Balances that may appear to be due
by Virtue Of Resolution Of the GEN
ERAL ASSEMBLY Of the Sixth Of Feb
ruary One Thousand Seven Hundred
and SeVenty-nine, to this STATES
Quota of the CONTINENTAL ARMY,
agreeable to the Recommendation OF
CONGRESS, and for Supplying the
Treasury with Sum of Money for that
Purpose. Witness my Hand,
H. G. GAINS, Treasurer.
Tho. DAVIS,
r. CranCh,
Committee.
This copy was procured In 1894 by
the editor OF The Exponent, the Official
organ of the Farmers Alliance and In
dustrlal Union of the State Of New York
and sent to the writer hereof. The act
under which the note was issued was
passed January 13, 1880. A copy Of the
law was procured from the Secretary Of
the State Bar Association. It prescribes
the form Of the notes, (which form shall
be printed on good paper to be procured
by the treasurer, with suitable border
round the same, in which shall be in
serted the words, State of Massachu-
setts Bay the word COMMITTEE and
the words Witness my hand ETC." Sec
ton 2 reads: "And be 1t further en-
acted that Thomas DAVIS and Richard
Cranch, Esquires, be a committee to