davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09
THE TRADE DOLLAR.
How the Government Swindled Ies
Holders by Destroying Its
CaefuIness.

This dollar was authorized by the
act of February IL, 1873 When the
standard dollar was dropped from coin
age this dollar of 42o grains troy was
provided for. It was intended for cir
culation in oriental countries. espe-
cially China Its legal tender power
was limited to five dollars in the United
States. 1t viii be seen that it con-
tanned ~ grains more pure silver than
the daddy dollar" On July %. 1876.
its legal tender quality was withdrawn.
and its coinage was limited to such
quantities as the secretary of the treas
ury should deem sufficient to meet the
export demand. The total number
coined under this act was So, 965, 924
By reading the act Of February Ie,
1887, it viii be observed that fer a
period of six months the trade dol
lar, if not defaced. mutilated or
stamped. might be exchanged for a like
amount. dollar for dollar, of standard
silver dollars. or of subsidiary coins
Of the United States. All trade dollars
thus redeemed by the government:
should not again be paid out, but
should be transmitted TO the coinage
minis and be recoined into standard
silver dollars or subsidiary coin 1T tie
discretion OF the secretary OF the treas
ury But the trade dollars recoined
were not to be counted as part of the
silver bullion required TO be purchased
and coined into standard dollars by
act of February IS, 1878. After the ex-
piration OF the six months in which
trade dollars would be redeemed, the
government paid bullion prices for
all that were presented 1t was a
bunko game from start 10 finish on the
part of the government. In the first
place an extra amount of silver was put
in the dollar. which was swindIe OF
the bullion owner. In the second place,
while it contained more silver than the
standard dollar. its legal tender power
was limited. which vas intended 10 de-
stroy its usefulness. In the third place.
instead of limiting their exchange &c
six months il ought 10 have been in
definite Many people had TO sell them
at d discount And in the fourth
place the government was the gamer
because II got more than ii gave IL
exchange. The bill was never approved
by the president. 1t became law be-
cause it was not returned to the house
in which it originated within ten days
the time prescribed by the constitu-
ton of the United States.
DAVID PIERCE
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09
FEELS THE DEATH THROTTLE.
Chilli Commits Political Suicide to
Crafty English Money
Lenders.

Chill has gained nothing by her silly
adoption of the gold standard, with no
gold money to fill the place of eireu-
Iating medium. Or the contrary, her
losses have been heavy from the BE-
ginning of the gold era, and we are
going rapidly from bad to worse. The
depressed condition of our trade Is
such that we are no longer visited by
the numerous commercial travellers
who formerly came from England.
from Germany and from the United
States. We cannot buy their wares
and improved machinery, and conse-
quentIy we lose the benefit of the ex-
change of products. which we former
" enjoyed. Compared with the pros
perity Of former times, when the sill
=er of our mines was freely exchanged
for the articles that we needed from
other countries, our business seems &c
be almost at a standstil. Meanwhile
the debts of our people are increasing,
with apparently no hope for future re-
lief Chilli cannot pay her debts except
by going further into debt, and she con-
tinues TO sell the silver she produces
in London for less than so cents rather
than open her minis 10 silver and coin
i into dollars, which would lay the
foundation of improvement in local
hcne prices, as is the case in Mexico
to-day and has been for quarter OF n
century past. We are enriching England
at our own expense, and our rulers are
not wise enough to see the point.-Jo-
seph Romero, in Mississippi Valley Dem
aerar
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09
THE ISSUE In 1000.
The Public Has Become Tired Of the
"Honesf Money" DeIusion and
WIZ Demand a Change.

I have bean trying TO reconcile Eay-
self to the statement advanced by the
honest money 60 press of the eoun-
try that the Silver Heresy" viii not be
a question at issue in the presidential
campaign of 1900. Gold is by them
called honest money" Upon analysis
the subject money" develops itself
into an intrinsic conundrum- I go to
China and find the value of all native
products and of labor about the same,
on the average, as they have been for
the past 100 years, except ornaments
of gold and gold bullion. These articles
of commerce have advanced about I25
per cent because of the extriDsic value
given gold by the ULited States and
other governments in making it, when
coined by the respective power, the
only full legal tender powers, the only
full legal tender for debts. examine
the statistics of trade in the United
States and find that the average prices
of staple commodities in 1870, as COM
pared with the prices of last year, were
as follows, viz:
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09

Tor II 1t was very handsome. and In
! the center was poem that told of love
| and constzncy through all time. the
servant read it to him
''See If there is any address on it,
anything to tell where it was sent
from"
The old servant looked carefully
There was no address.
Then she viii come to me- I shah
see her to-morrow-perhap to-day"
The rest of his mail remained unao-
uced. 1t was a beautiful winter after
noon and the sunlight shone through
the west window into the room where
the old man waited. holding the white
box, tied with blue and pink ribbons.
By and by the servant went out and left
him there. When he returned it was
near evening. The old man still held
the little white box and his face was
turned toward the gates of sunset. But
his eyes were closed and he was look
ing through the gates of-eternity
And perhaps she had come to him, for
when katie's grandmother heard of old
Mr.. Fessenden she said. reflectively:
Il used to know of young man by
that name more than 40 years ago. He
lived in the next town 10 US and went
with a girl whose folks moved to the
city just before we did. / didn't know
EN- very well. but l heard once that
about year after they came here she
died."-Albert Bigelow Paine. in n. Y.
Herald.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09
ST. VALENTINES DAY.
1t Has n Strange and Interesting His
tory Dating from the Third
Century.

As every body should know by this
time, Saint Valentine was bishop who
| lived in the third century, and was
made a saint because he was martyred
| b. Emperor -Claudius II, February Il.
27o.
There is no connection betKeen his
life and death and the sending IF comic
or loving missives. and how they came
to be connected makes singular story.
In the third century, Christianity was
struggling with paganism, and could
Il, make converts except by stealth. In
later years, when the church became
a political as well as religious power.
paganism rapidly disappeared before
its advances until all Europe became
Christian, in name at least. Pagan be-
liefs, however, still fingered among the
people, and, instead of crushing them
cut, which might have proved an i'm
possible task. the church permitted the
people to retain their old notions, but
skilIfully diverted them into Christian
channels.
Thus, the 18th day of February was
the heather festival OF Februata Juno,
ard the people were allowed 10 keep the
festival, but the name of ST Valentine
was substituted for the heather god
dess. That is how the good Bishop VAL
entine happens to have his name linked
TO merry doings that do not in the least
accord with his pious life and tragic
death.
For hundreds of years ST. Valentines
day was celebrated with nirth. rev
elry and love-makirg. and it even
found lo6gment in this country. where
no one knew about or cared for its ORR
gin. There was time, lot many years
ago, when mail-carriers fairly groaned
under the burden of missives they car
ried on the 14th day of February, but
now they hardly notice any increase in
the mails.
Valentines day has been practically
killed in this country by extravaganza.
When valentines cost few cents, every
BODY could indulge in harmless pleas
ure, but now the average young girl
would turn up her pretty nose at any
valentine that cost less than a dollar.
The dainty creations of paper. lace and
silk are works of art. but they have
made ordinary valentines seem poor
and mean in comparison
Then again, the vending of the comic
valentine, the atrocious libel on art and
poetry. has had much 10 do with de-
stroying the pleasure of the day Vile
caricatures with doggerel verse, almost
always insulting and intended TO Of
fend the receiver, these penny daubs
were scattered broadcast until many
grew indignant at the very name of a
valentine.
There may be a reaction some day,
and then the 14th of February will be
a time for pleasant greetings, not con-
fined to Ioye-sick SWANS and damsels,
but day when young and old, in cheap
but pretty cards, can wish each other
good luck and happiness until another
year rolls around. That would be val
entine appreciated by everybody
Golden Days.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09

1ney crossed the street together in the
direction of The little shop.
suppose you were so taken M with
the valentines you are sending that yoI
oid bot notice the car" said the old gen
fieman, gently. 81 used To be very fonS
OF them myself Suppose we all go il
and look at them little"
The girls could not refuse and shame
facedly entered. The shopwoman
smiled at them knowingly, but they
only smiled back in feeble and sickly
way. The old gentleman selected two
valentines that the girls had not felt able
to buy.
Il want you to have these" he said.
to remember me by and to make you
think TO be always very careful wheI
you cross the street"
The girls thanked him family with
downcast eyes. Then he bade them q
courtly adieu. They noticed how feeble
he was as he imped away and Won
dered how he could have had strength
enough to save them from the car
Then as they went out, each holding
q prettily ornamented envelope, they
looked at each other in shame and re-
greet Clare was the first TO speak.
Lets send him another" she said.
They have some beautiful ones down
the street further. Let's go down
there"
They counted their money as they
went along and put it all together. BY
and by they came out of the shop below
with a valentine that, instead of being
in an envelope. rose 10 the dignity of a
beautiful box, tied with pink and blue
ribbons.
81 would give anything if we could
only get that old letter box open" said
Clare, and, passing. they frowned at i;
as if il were 10 blame for everything.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09
THE REASON WHY.
Worthless Paper Is Interchangeable
with Gold Because of the Gov
eminent Stamp.

Here Is an interesting contribution
TO the currency discussion W. f. Cur
lis, in his Washington letter TO the Cal
cago Record. says:
In reply to al INJURY / would say
that the reason As cents worth Of sill
yer circulates st the same value as gold
is because it bears the stamp of The
United States and is interchangeable
with gold. For the same reason a
worthless piece of paper is interchange
able 1t par with gold
Now. If Mr. Curtis had gone on 10
show the reason why, when what he
declares here 10 be the truth is the
truth. the powers that be are trying
10 destroy all the paper currency HE
governments fat makes as goots as
gold. and turn over TO few bankers
monopoly greater than any dsspot
in the history of the world ever had.
his matter would possess real interest
and value.
And if he had gone farther. and in
formed the people why we should be
selling bonds and paying interest to
the tune of millions annually when
the people are ready and anxious TO
take the governments notes Ia all
needful amounts without interest. in
payment for service of all kinds the
government might desire he would
earn the gratitude of millions OF his
stupid feilow-countrymen who can't
for the life OF them comprehend tbs
thing.-Farmers' Voice.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09
OPINIONS AND POINTERS.

Mr.. Hanna's experience and ad-
vice ought to prove useful to Mr.. Quay
in the present emergency.-St. Louis
Republic.
Vampire of imperialism" may
be strong way of putting it, but Car
negie insists upon letting il stand so.-
Kansas City Times.
President Mckinley has selected
a commission to go over and find out
whether the Philippines, which he in
structed the peace commission TO hold
On 10, are worth holding on to.-Detroit
Free Press.
Secretary Alger testified before
the war investigating committee that
he didn't know nothin' nohow." That
was the chief trouble with the man
agement of the war department during
the war.-Louisville Courier-Journal.
There are various signs and por-
tents which indicate that the weight of
Algerism is getting to be a load too
heavy for the administration at Wash
ington to carry. If IT be true that Alger
is prepared to take his leave of the war
department under cover of war com
AAASS@SA LAC &oDOAc VA Nadt
unique body of investigators will have
st least one good result.-Philadelph
Record
The war department is the
damned spot" on the Mckinley admin
istration, and there is no indication
even yet that it is TO be invited to .'out."
II Is TO be hoped, at any rate, that con-
gress viii provide for thorough re-
organization of the army. To increase
it under the present system OF orgaai-
cation would be but TO increase and
multiply existing eFils. What is needed.
aid needed sorely. is new deal.-Bing-
hamton u. Y Leader.
The republican papers are now
trying to excuse their party for fall
ure 10 enact an antitrust law by claim
ing that it IS very difficult TO make
an antitrust Law that is constitution
al and effective. 1t is easy enough 10
make an effective antitrust Jaw If the
legislature wants TO do so. The trouble
has been that the republican majority
would not allow II, and 1t proved its
sentiments by enacting an antitrust
law so fareical that republican gov
ernor and attorney-generai were forced
to condemn il publicly a. humbug.-l
indianapolis Sentinel.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09
i /

Mr.. Fessenden on his way home
paused here and there to rest. He was
not so old as he looked. but had been il.
for many years. and the sudden exer-
ton had been unusual and too much
for him. When he reached his home.
which, as Clare had said, was next TO
her own-he climbed the steps with diff
fculty and was trembling violently as
he gained the top. His oil servant VIII i,
let him in helped him TO bed, where he
often spent the greater part of the day.
As he lay back amid the pillows he
was thinking of the two rosy checked
girls and the valentines, and then his
memory went back and back. and he
was thinking of another rosy checked
girl for whom long ago he had bough-
other valentines. They HAD been sweet
hearts for awhile and il was nearly -
years now since they had Guarded
just 10 years tomorrow. The ole gen
tleman closed his eyes that he might
remember more clearly. 1t had been
about a valentine, too: foolish quar-
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09

rel She had sent il 10 him IL fun, OF
course, but he had been sensitive, and
he had recognized her handwriting
He had gone to her accuslngly ard she
had not denied II. So then they had
quarreied and parted.
''You will be sorry some time" he had
said to her, as he turned away.
when am 1 will send you another
valentine-a beautiful one, with swee.
verses on it," she had answered; and
since that day be had been waiting
for il.
He had loved her dearly, and he be-
lieved she had loved him in return. AT
first he had expected the valentine
surely with the coming of each Feb
ruary. Then by and by her parents had
moved to the city. and his hope grew
fainter each year. Later he had come
to the city, too. but he did rot know her
address. He had never married He
told himself that she must have mar
ried long ago and that the valentine
would never come. Aud yet he had
never ceased TO think of it when the
day came around. and in his heart he
had never ceased TO look for il. When
the shop windows were filled with val
entines he would go from one to an
ether. looking at them all and wonder
ing which she would send. He had
done this more and more as he grew
older, and to-day he had bought valen-
tines for the two little girls because
one of tbem-katie-had reminded him
of the little girl for whom he had
bought valentines so long ago.
IF il does not come Tomorrow" he
thought, with faint smile. lit VII be
too late" For he had been more feeble
than usual this winter, and his doctor
had told him that he could hardly hope
TO live through another. Then he
closed his eyes and slept, and perhaps
as he slept he dreamed.
He slept so late the next morning
that his old servant was alarmed, but
near noon he awoke and asked for his
mail. The servant brought l.: There
were two or three small envelopes, let
tiers, probably, and one packages
handsome white box, tied with blue and
pink ribbons. Then he put out his hand
tremblingly and touched it. He wished
TO be sure that it was not a part OF his
dreams He was so pale that the cid
servant was frightened.
Are you ill-worse? he asked.
~No-noi 1 am well. open-open
the box"
The servant united the ribbons care
fully. Within was a beautiful valen-
tine The old man stretched his hand
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09
ASTOUNDING CONFESSION.
The PitfabIe Plea of Secretary Of
War AIger Before the Investi-
CATION CommfMsicn-

Secretary of War Alger, in his testi-
mony before the war investigation
commission, stated that the reason why
there was no active preparation before
the declaration of war was because the
might be averted.
This indicates remarkab bic blindness
to the meaning of exceptional happen
ings. 1t is in strong contrast to the
clear-sighted course of the navy depart
ment which began hurried preparations
for active service months before the
conflict began. These preparations
were under full Roadway, ex-Assistant
Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt states,
at the time of the Names destruction.
After that tragic event occurred so GER
tain was war that Roosevelt resigned
from the navy department and began
to recruit his regiment of rough riders
for service in the field
All this time, however, according 10
his own testimony, the secretary OF
war was neglecting to put the army ON
a war basis because he hoped war would
be averted. Other people saw its in
evitable coming, but he did not When
IL came, therefore, the land forces OF
the United States were not ready for
it. and confusion and mismanagement
prevailed from that moment until the
war came TO an end The superb serv-
ice of the American navy brilliantly
began and as brilliantly ended the war.
shielding an unprepared army from
disaster and defeat.
Secretary of War Alper was n costly
failure in national crisis of unusual
peril. He explains why he was fail
nre. He did not begin TO put the
American army on war footing until
war was declared. His confession is as
founding in its significance.-St. Louis
Republic.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09

Ease filled with those dainty comblna-
lions of paper lace and bright color so
fascinating to the heart. of youth and,
ali. mel to the memory of age, perhaps
and as they lifted the filmy overlays TO
read the cunningly hid verses beneath
they did not notice that standing in the
door was a feeble old man leaning on a
cane and watching them His hair was
rather long and silver white. HIS lace
was clearly shaver, and he had large
nose. a rather childish mouth ano
clear blue eyes. As he moved away the
two girls heard his step and turned.
"Ohi" exclaimed Clare, whispering
there is old Mr.. Fessenden! He lives
next door TO us and is cranky old
bachelor. Let's send him valentine
The other girl nodded. Then they
watched him a moment through the
window as he paused TO look IN
HE comes every year to look at the
valentines" said the shopwoman.
SHOW us some funny ones, said
Clare. Some about old bachelors.
The girls were not cruel; they were
ihoushtIess. They picked out high
" coIored picture of fierce-looking old
man in a house that was in wretched or
der. and under which were the follow
ing lines:
AN OLD BACHELOR
.eyo,, think yourself extremely wise.
Since all your worthless life
You've lived aloEe without the care
And love OF q tender wife
Perhaps, indeed. you've vainiy trieo
Tc wed, your whole life through
and were so glum and crus1y tnaL
They did not like the word worth
ssSs" because Glare said she had never
heard that he dissipated in any way,
but Katie said il did not mean that,
but only meant that his life had been
,xorthless because he hadn't married.
Rx and by they went across the street
30 bright red letter box and dropped
in ali their purchases.
~ they recrossed they We're talking
;,,,>,tx and did not notice that cable
car was Changing It's bell wildly and
that the gripman was making frantic
.ffort TO stop it. But suddenly each felt
bersen pulled hastily backward, and
-salized that they had been drawn from
In front of the deadly cable car just IN
time. Each gave a little scream and
earned TO thank her rescuer. twas the
,,ld gentleman, Mr.. Fessenden- he had
5ronped his cane and leaned on them,
trembling from the effort The girls
we're ahashed, and blushed and STAN
mered. Clare hastily picked up his
cane. and he thanked her courteously.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09

Mrs. Slimdiet-Yes; / got l. comic
valentines to-day, and / shall expect YOU
all TO settle up a; once.
Chorus OF Boarder-But surely, Mrs.
Slimdiet, you do not accuse us of send
ing the valen tines?
Mrs. Slimdiet-I make no accusations
whatever. gentlemen. only know that
l have Ia boarders.-N. \. World.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09
The Cause OF Free Silver.


an ounce of silver as ever, while TO ges
gold ii requires more than double the
quantity OF any other product. The
man who bets that the currency ques-
ton viii not be an issue in 1900 viii lose
his coin, and, may add, bis reputation
as we'll The blooming public have got
tired Of the gold dollar, low prices. and
no work-M RI.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09
Could Not Understand IL.

There's one thing" said the prac-
teal Joker. that / could never Under
stand"
What is that?
why, when | can pick out such ger
uine'y witty comic valentines TO send
ost 20 IEy frienG=- they should make
such laundering and brutal selections
TO send TO me-"-Washing;on Star.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09

While glowing accounts OF pros
perity are coming in from all parts of
the country, trade IN New England il
ia anything but a satisfactory condi-
ton. Many factories are idle and 9TH
ers are running on reduced time. Ae-
cording TO the New England Shoe and
Leather association. the shoe and leafh-
err trade has been particularly poor.
The association protests against the
unjust tax on hides. which. IL not re-
moved, viii lead to the loss Of large
part of the foreign trade. On the whole.
il can't be said that the sun of McKin-
ley prosperity shinesvery brightly over
New England.-Boxton Traveller.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09
No, Enou.h 20 Go Ronpa.

Museum Manager-Wha:'s the mat
ter with the two-headed girl?
shes mad because she got only one
valentine. "-Chieago Record.
Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1899-02-09

/ could not let the day so by
Without a thought some heart &C tArEl:
And 50 stepped in. passing nigh.
And paid In full my taiior's bli.-
-lyk6Go Record.