Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-19
STRIKE DOWN THE MONEY
TYRANTl

The Norfolk Pilot says: "a currency
or money, for the rich, sixteen times
too costly for the common plain people
will not do" Now we differ from our
able contemporary in that We think the
plain people are entitled to the very
best sort of money. In times like these
when the laboring man gets plenty OF
work and at increased wages. we do
not think he is apt to kick because he
Is paid in the best money-Spirit OF the
Valley.
Our respected contemporary does not
indulge in clap-trap; yet If the above
were from the average goldite, we
should surely consider 1t nothing more
nor less than unmitigated clap-trap.
Nor does our contemporary exhibit its
usual intelligence in assuming that the
most costly money is the best money;
nor is it fair in charging us that We
desire the plain people to have less than
the best. Silks, satins, &C., are more
costly than cotton and wooden cloths;
Arollinaris water and champagne are
more costly than the product OF wells.
springs and streams; but they, as we'll
as gold money, are not adapted to the
use of plain people.
The copper, or bronze cent, the nickel,
half dime, and the silver dollar are all
as good as gold. though of materials
much less costly than gold, and much
more cheaply available for common
use; and we find that for all practicable
purposes OF a currency for circulation
and exchange, the best and the prefer
4, IA &c. ha
back or Treasury-note, of small de-
nom nation, though II is really the
cheapest and least costly Of all money.
Nor will it do say Except to newly
caught marines) that these cheaper
monies derive their value from Their
redeemability in gold; for under the
seyerest test, during the war between
the states, the first greenbacks issued.
receivable for all dues. private and pub
lie, including import duties, were al
ways at par with gold, although all
other greenbacks and other paper is
sues, not so receivable, fell as low as
forty cents in the dollar And even In
1878 (before the resumption of specie-
payment by government. as soon as
the Treasury issued its order that all
greenbacks were receivable for tariff
taxes, the appreciated paper at once
became equal to gold, and more desira-
Bile,
Think of gold as our sole money, our
only legal tender and our singular cur
rency! Think of paying our feld-hands
and other lnborers in gold, and of
transacting the daily business of life in
gold! AS matter of fact, it is simply
impossible to do it, with gold Mt It's
present value; and even If 1t could be
done. instead of enriching the people,
| 1t would soon pauperize them and bank
rupt them and the government. Because
(even If there were no other objection)
the metal Is too costly for such general
or common use, too easily abraded or
worn, and too valuable except for the
comparatively rare and large transac-
tiors Of life. To be sure Gas the bank
rcformers remind us), We could have
our ''credit-issues'' Of paper money in
any quantity; but if we must come to
4 paper or credit currency, what is
conn arabic to greenbacks or Treasury
notes, either IN availability or in the
Credit upon which they are based ?
Receivable for ALL DUES, private and
public, by law, and founded upon the
] Credit and assets OF all the people