The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1899-03-03
THE GOLD METAL TRICK.
Catch Phrases Are the Main stock of
Those Who Argue for the
single standard


-
The gold metal trick is undoubtedly
the most ingenious and simple device
ever invented by man 10 defraud and
plurdtr the honest, coniiding labor
class. And hen its far-reaching re-
suits are considered, il is the most
~stupcndous and successful bunco game
ever worked on the most intelligent and
highly civilized nations Of the world.
The scheme originated in England and
is a product Of the brain OF the Bank of
England jew financiers. The gold met
al scheme owes not "A little OF it's sue
cess 10 the jnrgon its inventors use.
Pleasant-sounding phrases, like Motor
Keely's ingenious scientific vocabulary,
public, and people Of more than ordi-
nary intelligence are readily hum
bugged by them. Gold basis was
at first used by the inventors Of our
modern money phrases, but was
dropped for the more captivating term
Of gold Standard 'Scund money" is
another ingenious. but entirely mean
ingl.ss term or phrase, used by gold
bunco sieerers. Honest money
also "a captivating part OF their jargon,
and DECEASED currency are the chief
phrases Of this financial jargon used 10
c%onjure with and deluxe a simple too
contiding public.
II a meaning descriptive OF money
be searched for IN these terms il Will
not be found. They are a mean jingle
to please the ear and confuse the pub
lie mind not unlike the straightforward
tricks of q juggler. Gold is very little
in use as money but as natal. wholly
independent OF money. and for the pur-
pose OF controlling the functions Of
money. II is assumed that a certain
number Of grains of gold shall repre-
sent a money unit and nothing else
shall be used TO constitute that unit.
The legal tender power Of government
conferred on money is sought 10 be
abolished and the money function
lodged in gold metal alone. BY clan
destine legislation. secured mainly by
bribery. the gold metal bunco men
have well nigh accomplished their pur-
pose.
The money which effects exchanges,
the only true function OF money. is
silver and paper. This money and gold
metal which banks may hold are used,
on which they sell credit or discount
promiSsory notes that are liens on the
property Of borrowers. Through these
mediums the business Of the country
is transacted. When a given number OF
grains Of gold alone constitute the
money unit all evidences Of debt cal.
for their redemption or settlement in
gold or its equivalent. The legal ten
der money function being taken from
government and lodged in gold. the
quantity OF money is controlled by the
owners Of gold. All debts or deferred
payments calling for gold, the holders
of such obligations very readily draw
all gold into their possession or control
completely that which is not held in
their possession by the debts which
they hold.
The ingenious contrivance Of substi-
tuiing gold metal in place OF govern
ment legal tender it will be readily
seen places the entire control Of money
in the hands of the creditors. and. hav
ing control of the money Of the coun'
try. ;hey hold complete control Of all
the property Of every kind and fN
prices at their pleasure. Government
is powerless TO aid the people and gov
eminent itself becomes the servant OF
the gold monopoly or trust. Under thu
gold metal financial system it is wholly
impossible for a rise in prices 10 take
place. The amount Of gold in existenc,
representing the quantity, or rather
prescribing the quantity. Of none,
that shall be issued must forever hole
down the price Of property on the leye
with the quantity Of gold in 'hc world
The quantity Of gold Is steadily falling
behind the increasing amount % prod
uc,s to be exchanged by money and thu
increase Of population. Under this con
clifton Of affairs falling prices are in
eyitablc. and the industrial or produc
ing classes must grow poorer by having
TO increase the products OF their labor
TO buy a dollar in cffccting the eN
change OF their products.
Under the gold metal financial sys
tenn II the banks or govcrnmeu'
should issue more currency than the,
can command gold 10 redeem i with
the currency Immediately drops TO
discount. The number Of dollars re
quired to purchase or exchange for III
prescribed number Of gold grains con
shutting the money unit will he in
creased. which is the same thing as
fall in the price of merchandise
III government attempts TO use u
n~rerogative Of issuing money whei
deprived Of the power OF lega
tender its currency Is placed at a dis
count and all debts, government an
private. contracted during the perio'
OF circulation Of the promise 20 pay
or redeemable money and prices Q
products are nominally high VII cal
for the number Of dollars tha
money represents. When pay ia,
comes the debt is held up TO reprcsen
the number OF grains Of gold It's unit
call FOR while the money and propert
,,lf.l ~. 1fht il based on and repre-