Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-11
TW ELVE PAGES
THURSDAY. JANUARY IL, 1900.
THE SILVER STANDARD OF
VALUE.

01r. Aldrlch. of Rhode Island, to let
him tell 1t. is neither eldritch, nor
noveau richie, but old rich; and despite
the fact that his State is not an island.
and q very small patch on the Union,
the arrogates to himself full primary
value as a Senator of the United
States, the equal of every other Stna-
tor. whether he be OF Maine or Texas,
and seeks to ignore the fundamental
truth that his senatorial parity" re-
suits from the fiat" OF the Federal
Constitution. Rhode Island, 1t Is true
was q primary or original State, just
rs coin and silver coin were originally
money and legal-tender. and by the
same authority-the constitution
which establishes his senatorial rank
and quality. BY virtue OF the same
authority which recognized Rhode
Island as n co-cqual State, ana MI
Aldrich as a co-enual Senator OF the
United States, the standard silver dol
lar was recognized as the CO. equal of
gold coin. and n standard. If not ac-
tually the sole standard. of value In our
monetary system. Just as Mr.. Aldrich
holds himself n fun Senator so some
OF us hold that he is not the only and
primary Senator. but that Mr.. Allen.
OF Nebraska, is also a. full and primary
Senator. as the silver dollar Is n full
and primary coin and money
Has 1t never occurred to Mr.. Aldrich
that there is an over-production of
States. and that expansion will newt
ably increase them, unless we change
our form of government? Rhode Island
Is far below par as State, and though
still legal-tender at Washington. how
long will 1t be before the issue is raised,
even while we have a Republican form
of government. that Rhode Island Is
not an honest State"-and that every
State to be 'as good as gold,' must
he Of n certain area and population
Tar beyond Rhode Island and that a
mere fiat" State is too preposterous
in this practical age? Or suppose it be
urged that every other State taking
Rhode Island as the standard, should
ard area and population Cor weigh,
and fineness); or that every State
should be entitled to two Senators for
every standard measure of territory
and voters. Would Senator Aldrich
oppose the new apportionment MS
incqutable? Or unconstitutional? Or
rs a breach OF faith? Can any sane
man. outside OF Rhode Island, and may
be Delaware. object? What political
economist, outside of those two States.
can contend that townships, or coun-
lies. simply because they are called
States, are Justly allowed as equals.
Ito withstand or over-rulc the great
States of this Union, wherein the pop
ular majority is the basis Of free gov
eminent?
Yet Mr.. Aldrch. opening the nnan-
cial debate in the Senate on the Sd OF
January. 1900, said:
mo sane man can be found. outsjdn
of the ranks Of the small band OF bold.
able and aggressive leaders who at
present dominate the policy OF the
Democratic party, who believes for an
instant that the opening Of 1ur minis
to the free coinage Of silver nj the IA
dio of 1G to l Will raise the value OF
silver bullion from IT'S curran, com
7nercial price 10 its mint price inca
cured with relation to gold. Outside OF
fhis chamber there is no political econ
omlst OF reputation, no writer upon
the subject Of money whose opinion Is
80 .xA !, 4