The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-11-08

Thus fell. ended and died the Con-
tlhental currency aged 5 years, the
most powerful State engine and the
> eatest prodigy of revenue and the
most mysterious, uncomfortable and
almost magical operation eEer known
OF heard OF IN the political or CONNER
clal world: bubbles OF a like sort which
have happened in other countries
Such as the Mississippi scheme n
France, the South Sea in England,
winch lasted but a lew months and
theH burst into nothing; but this held
out much longer, and seemed 10 re-
tam a vigorous constitution 10 tae
last, Tor its circulation was never more
DISK and quick than When its exchange
was 900 to |; Yet it expired without
enc Sroan or struggle; and OF al
lnln8s which have suffered dissolution
since life was first given 10 the crea-
uoh, TINS mighty monster died the
least lamented.'
As early as 1875 prices OF m
ties were fixed by law. and all persons
were en5oined not to sell these arti-
cies for any more thar the regulation
price. But since the money did not
~nalntaln its value, it was certain ruin
TO the merchant who did not take this
matter into consideration. The only
alternative was to raise the price Il
their merchandise in defiance of the
law, or go out of business. Many chose
cine OIIli6I course. rs q result tneE
Wire pointed out and treated as an
enemy to the American cause. Not
W~lthstandino the penalties imposed
upon persons found guilty of engross-
ing, prices continued to ascend. 1t be-
came impossible for commissioned Of
hcers to maintain themselves on the
paw allowed them. and designations
We're Of ~requen occurrence. In 1777
the Continental Congress recommends
ed that North Carolina, South Caro-
lima and Georgia appoint representa-
tiEes to confer together and adopt such
measures as they might think eXpedi-
emf to regulate prices in each one Of
these States.
The General Assembly recognized
the futility Of such a proposal and the
difficulties involved in its execution.
and no action was taken on the rec
concentration. Ry 1879. the price OF
necessaries had increased enormously.
In November OF his year Congress
again approached the States upon the
subject Of the regulation of prices.
This time the General Assembly passed
a rigorous law. which provided that il
any person should be convicted of en-
crossing or forestalling. he or she was
to forfeit the sum of f100, 600. It fur
Their provided that any commodities
which had been first imported into
the State of North Carolina should not
be exported to other States. For each
u oitIiS d pSAlditS "a I1eo-Uop VIZ III
ficted. Every person who wished to
: sell goods Of any kind was compelled
J to take out a permit, which was grant
: ed by the justices of the peace. The
following oath also had to be sub
Scribed to:
Il II, A. B., do swear, or solemnly
and sincerely declare and affirm.
that I will not directly or indi-
rectly ask, demand, take or re-
ceive any greater or other prohs
on any OF the goods. wares or
f merchandise which l shall sell
during the continuance of an act
of Assembly of this State entitled
An act for the more effectually
preventing engrOSsing and fore
stalling, for the encouragement OF
and the fair trader and
for other purposes therein men
toned than is allowed in by the
said act: tina I will not directly
or Indirectly buy. contract for or
get into my possession any such
goods, wares or meTchandlSe
otherwise than is allowed by the
said act. and that Will IN all
things to the utmost Of my power
comply with the directions Of the
said act
4 committee was appointed to draw
up a price-list which the General As
semhlv should observe in supplying
articles to the public. In 1871 it r~
ported the following prices for the ar
ticles which were used ana
considered as necessities:
For every pound of fresh
Three-vear-old steers or bar
rem or dry cows 44O
Four-vear-old steers E.. . . $50
Salt pork, per barrel =. :. :. 1000
Each good sheep E. :. loV
Wheat, per bushel.- -
Flour, per hu~ndredWeight E. 155
Oats, per bushel.. -
Rye. per bushel 40
Prandy, ner gallon. 50
Whisley. per gallon -. %
Cider. per barrel =. :. LUZ
Prown sugar. per pound =. ID
/ Putter and Cheese, per pound
Violates per gallon -. 5U
Bacon. per pound ..........
As early IS 1776 the SPECTATORS OBJ
tanned q corner on the supplies ana