THE COLUMBIAN. BLOOMSBURG. PA.
LIVE QUESTIONS.
A erl. of Article Contributed to Thru
Columns by Advanced Thlnkrn.
Coinaor Conitsiox First PniNcirf.KS
and Common Senxk Applied Tub
Money Qukstion Divested of the
Bkwildkkino Akoumknts Which De
bet It.
What is money? Simply a conven
ience. In Itself it cannot bo used as food
or clothing. It is bat a liieaiw to nu end.
Man invented money as nn aceommoda
tion in tho excliango of necessary com
modities. He did not do thin nntil com
mprce between people, diHtantly sepa
rated, made it a valuable convenienre.
Money to not a necessity in tho oxcfuinge
of the produce of neighbors.
The first money was not gold, silver,
copper, nickol, metal of any kind or
even paper. As money itself is a mere
convenience, so is tho solection of tho
substance from which it is made.
Moneys play the sarao part in com
merce that railroads, wagon roads and
rivers da They facilitate exchange.
Several means of tiansportation have
been found desirable ; so have several
forms of money. Each is a convenience.
All help mankind.
There is no form of money that is a
measure of value. A day's labor is the
measure of all values. Tho amount of
labor necessary to produce a given
amount of any substance necessary to the
wants of nan is alono tho meiumre of its
Value. This is another indisputable fact
and is tho arch which supports all finan
cial systems. It is tho basis of commerce.
If it takes five days' labor to produce ten
bushels of wheat, that wheat is equal in
value to the amount of silver or of gold
that can be produced by five days' labor.
This is nature's measure. It is tho only
measure. Any system of finance or com
merce that does not recognize this inex
orable law is faulty and must prove a
failure.
The substances that have been used
for money have been changed from time
to time as man has found the one more
convenient than the other. Convenience
contemplates value, durability, eto.
Gold, silver, nickel and copper are now
w. II. little.
the most convenient of the metals from
which money can be made ; hence they
are used. They occupy tho exalted posi
tion of money metals alone on account
of their Convenience.
The element of their convenience
which causes disturbance is value. Their
values change. Man has attempted to
prevent this fluctuation by statutory pro
visions with invariable failure. Why?
Beoanso in his legal enactments ho ig
nored nature's measure of value. If a
man produces 32 bushels of potatoes by
one day's labor and but one bushel of
whoat by a day's labor, tho value of the
one bushel of wheat is equal to the 82
bushels of potatoes and double that of 10
of them. No statutory law can change
this relative valuo.
To say tlmt the supply of silver has
increased is but to state that there is a
good crop of silver; that for a given
number of days' labor, delving in the
bowels of mother earth, an increased
number of ounces of silver have been
produced. To say that the supply of gold
has decreased is but to state the reverse.
A statutory provision cannot control
the relative value of two commodities
or the value of auy single commodity.
It is possible to fix a unit of measure by
statute, but a unit of measure cannot be
made from two different commodities
the relative values of which inevitably
fluctuate.
A unit of measure of intrinsic value
composed of two substances is not a ne
cessity, but is a mathematical and log
ical absurdity It is no more ridiculous
than it would bo to try to enact and
enforce a law that, there being four pecks
in a bushel of wheat weighing 00 pounds,
therefore thero uro four pecks or sixty
pounds of oats in a bushel. Neither prop
osition is true. No difference which
money metal is taken as the basis of the
nnit, the decision should be based on
convenience, stability of value and du
rability the essentials. The unit fixed,
all money metals can be freely used ac
cording to their real value, taken by na
ture's moasure a day's labor. Nothing
else can bo done. Much disturbance can
be made by attempting to do something
different, but it will end in failure and
loss, perhaps financial disaster.
If silver is made the standard metal,
gold will be no less valuable, and vice
versa. The trouble is not that gold is
the standard, but that silver is not un
limitedly accepted as money. That it is
not unlimitedly accepted as money is
because its friends insist on its boiug
unlimitedly accepted at more than its
value, measured by nature's measure
(by the only possible moasure).
Is not coinugo unnecessary and the
cause of confusion in the minds of
many? The earlier moneys did not pos
sess intrinsic) value. But a very small
portion of the present circulating me
dium has any intrinsio value. This
could not be otherwise.
There is not enough of the precious
metals to supply the money for the com
merce of the world. Itfs not probable
that thoro ever can be. If there wus,
the element of convenience would pre-
I ent their serving nil the requirements
' vt exchange. A money of superior con
venience is a greater necessity to com
merce than a money of absolute intrin
sio valuo.
Primary money or monoy of intrinsio
value is comparatively little used. The
business of tho world is practically done
on paper. Banks are but corporations,
their drafts being based as much upon
the checks of individuals, firms and
manufacturing and mercantile corpora-
I tions as on currency.
I The check of nn individual, firm or
: corporation passes current not so much
upon general knowledge of the bunk ac
count as upon tho knowledge of the
whole wealth of tho issuing party,
which in morals and law is a guarantee
! of the payment of the check.
Tho fiat dollars of the government
are not taken unhesitatingly ut par be
cause of a knowledge tlrat there is ia
the treasury gold, dollar for dollur. Ev
ery one knows that thore is not $1 in
gold in the treasury for every $10 of the
government's promises to pay. All
know, however, that there is behind ev
ery fiat dollar of the government tho en
tire wealth of the nation.
I The powers of taxation of the govern
ment are unlimited. It ciflf take from
one and all within its territory thoir last
atom of property, if necessary to re
deem its promises to pay. That fact,
and not tho comparative paltry amount
of gold and silver stored in the treasury,
is what keeps the government's promises
to pay at par. In this respect it is no
different from 'an individual. A man's
checks and promissory notes remain at
par so long as it is known that his total
wealth, not his bank account inorely,
exceeds them in amount.
As to the actual valuo of paper money,
it makes no difference whether it is sus
tained by individual or governmental
flat. The test is the real wealth that is
its guarantee. That the government fiat
is the better and more desirable is be
cause the government's wealth is the
greater and its amount is more accurate
ly and universally known. This latter
is what Inspires tho necessary confidence
that makes it acceptable.
This matter of confidence is-the weak
feature in all fiat money systems. Bo
fore postoffices and post roads, ships and
railways, telegraphs and telephones, the
means of communication were so slow
that dynasties were overturned weeks
before the remote portions of the empire
knew that new emperors ruled. Bunks
failed, and it was months afterward be
fore their bills becuine worthless in dis
tant provinces. Tardiness in the dis
semination of intelligence created mis
trust in the value of all money that did
not carry its real value within itself.
Coin consequently has attained a firm
position in the commercial world as the
only safe money. Its inconvenience,
however, prevents its becoming the only
money. It is, in truth, but final money.
It is not a circulating medium in the
large or the popular transactions of com
merce. The subsidiary silver, nickel and
copper coins are the only miutings that
freely circulate. Silver dollars are too
large and heavy. Qold coins ore too
scarce.
Filial settlements betwoen largo finan
cial houses and between governments
are effected in bullion. You deposit in
auy of the large banks or with the
treasury of any nation a quantity of gold
coin, and you are credited with its
weight value only. This was ouco true
of silver coin also. It would still bo true
had not the flat in a silver dollar become
so large a portion of its stamped value
that any deficiency in weight is now of
no more consequence than would be a
deficiency in the weight of paper in a
treasury note.
Now, if coin is but final money, and
as such it is treated only as bullion,
what is the sense of coining it? Why not
have the government ttamp each brick,
pig or ingot presented with its weight
and purity simply? If the party present
ing the bullion desires to store it with
the government and wants a circulating
medium or certificate of deposit in ex
change, give it to him. The government
treasury, as fur as gold is concerned, is
but a warehouse, for it takes it in and
pays it out as bullion value.
The government's gold warehouse
certificate would pass as current as tho
bullion itself, as the bullion could al
ways be secured when it was desired.
Treat silver the same as gold. Acoept
all that is offered, stamp its weight and
fineness upon it, and issue warehouse
certificates against it.
Make one class of theso certificates
legal tender. It makes no particular
difference which. This would change
the money nomenclature, but names are
only conveniences. We would not have
dollars and fractious thereon, but the
unit would be a grain and its multipliers.
Hence transactions would be made in
grains of gold, or acoording to the
metric woight system. An individual
promissory note would read: "Thirty
days from date I promise to pay John
Doe 10,00a grains of gold (or 820,000
grains of silver, if silver is mudo the
stuudard), with interest at 0 per cent
per annum. Value recoivod." Prices of
all articles would be reckoned in grains
insteud of couts.
The fluctuation in the market value
of the metals is as well provided for in
this proposed system as now and as
well as it is possible for man to pro
vide. When you agree to pay f 5 now,
you really agree to pay so many grains
of gold or of silver, and the payment
is so mudo, for if you liquidute the in
debtedness with a treasury bill the
payee can step into the nearest bank and
secure his gold or silver coin which con
tains the requisite grains of bullion.
The unlimited una of euch metul and
tho fact thivt there is not enough, both
taken, to supply the demand for money
would hold their values as steady as is
pussiblo. The chance of fluctuation ex
ists in every business transaction, and
experience lias proved that it is less in
gold and silver than iu uny other com
modity which is convenient for money.
Between these two it is less in gold;
hence to thut extent gold is the profor
utilo standard. W. II. Little.
St. Louis,
It ccsts Something.
The bicycle girl, if she starts to be
thoroughly up-to-date, will find that
her wardrobe alone will cost her a
pretty penny. Here are the prices
of her entire bicycle outfit, obtained
from reliable dealers in athletic goods.
Bicycle suit, with leather trimmings
combination divided skirt and knicker
bockers, $50 j suit with round skirt
and Norfolk jacket, $25 1 sepcratc
serve knickerbockers, $8; heavy
ribbed wool sweaters in silk and wool
sweaters, $2 j sweaters in silk and
wool, $8 ( cap, $31 belts from 75
cents to $2.50 ; knee protectors, $3.
50 t gloves $1.50 ( suede leggings,
$5 ( cloth leggings, $2 1 boots $6 ;
low shoes, $350 ) tights, $4.50 j cor
sets, from $3.50 to $6, and this
does not mention the wheel.
A Squire Bent to Jail,
John McOwen, a Justice of the
Peace in Kingston township,, was tak
en into court on Friday morning on
an attachment. McOwen was sub
poenaed to be in court on a case to
be heard on Thursday, and when he
was subpoenaed he told the server of
the subpoena that he would not come
unless he was paid $2.50. Upon being
brought before Judge Lynch he was
asked if he had any reason to offer for
not appealing, and said that he want
ed his pay before he came to court
and thought he did not have to come
till he got it. Judge Lynch then said:
"You are a magistrate and ought to at
least comply with the law yourself.
The sentence of the court is that you
pay a fine of $25." McOwen said he
would not pay. He will have to stay
in jail for three months if he persists
in his refusal.
Tried ti Dig Oat of Jail.
An attempted escape of three
prisoners at the county jail at New
Castle was discovered and frustrated,
last week. The men who made the
attempt were Samuel Gurley, serving
a five years' sentence for manslaughter;
John Dougherty, under sentence of
imprisonment for life for murder in
the second degree, and James Devine,
in for three years for assault.
The men had made a hole in the
jail wall, working from cell No. 16,
when Wardens Lindsey and Fostet
were attracted by the noise of their
operations. They summoned assist
ance and rushed into the cell.
The men showed fight at first, but
were soon subdued and placed in
irons. The prisoners were working
with two small knives, a plane bit and
a wooden mallet, but it is not known
how they obtained these implements.
asy to Take .
asy to Operate
Arc features peculiar to Ilood's Pills. Small In
size, tasteless, efficient, thorough. As one man
odT
said: "You never know you
have taken a pill till it la all ! I I
over." 25c. C. I. Hood & Co., III S
Proprietors, Lowell, Muss. " J
The only pills to take with Ilood's Barsaparilla,
Sells M tail
That's tho question. It Is not the
man wuo Is scouring the country
around to rind some old toot liles.s
cows that have done Rood service tor
their owners, but beluga Unleaded
now, they And It, Is cheaper to sell
them than to have them die upon
their hands. The beef you know
must be touirh. It can be bouxht low,
but what you save then you will
need to pay dentlHt bills later on.
We buy nothing but
Heavy Steer Beef.
This Is raised upon corn, and killed
when the meat Is good und tender.
We have the Bnest class of trade In
lUoomshurg. Our customers aro
pleased with the meat we sell.
LOUIS LYONS. Mail St., BLOOMSBUEG.
SB
AC
iC
AG
tr;
US
8S
Feet
I wet again r
) You'll die some d.iv. V.efnrp
j long, too, if you don't take care
j of those fect. Some of ,negi
newest, most desirable tliines
I in wet weather shoes nre here.
0'
; Bloomsburg
Store Co., Ltd.
8
on-
0;
wmwmmmmti
The Leading Consarralory of Amorlca ' o
Carl Fablten, Direciur. Vr)l.T0l
FouadediolDWb TCmn
iTONi
- r una 1
Send for Prospectus
giving full information.
Frank W. Hale, Central Manager.
i Tf L because of a
I 1 he LOUgil run down con-
I which Lingers f
I not affected by ordinary cough g
S medicines, will yield readily to $
lwimse it fives strength to the
PWWM-wpw 7- '
. 4
weakened boav ana enaoies n 10
throw off the
joe. and $1.00. All Druggists
A6K FOR TIIC &BKLET ONIIGHFAND
Barn
GIVES BEST UGHT IN THE
ALEXANDER BROTHERS & CO.
DEALERS IN
Cigars, Tolacco. Candies, Fruits and Nuts
SOLE AGENTS FOR
Henry Ma il lard's Fine Caudics. Fresh Every Week.
I3t7iN-2 Goods .flu Specialty,
SOLE AGENTS FOR
F. F. Adams & Co's Fine
Sole agents for the
Haary Clay, Loadres, Normal, Iadian Princess, Samson, Silver As
Bloomsburg Pa.
SHOES I
Our Spring Styles of Shoes
are pearly all in.
25 years experience in shoe buying puts us in the Iront
rank ol shoe dealers.
Comfort, stylcand durability are combined in our shoes
"Thrift is a Good
Saving Results from Cleanli
ness and
B. F. Sharpless, Pres.
B LOO
LAND IHPBOYEMBHT CQMFAHY.
Capital Stock, $30,000.
Plotted property is in the
town. It includes also part of
CHOICE LOTS are offered
111 a short time.
No such opportunity can be
Lots secured on SMALL
Maps of the town and of plotted property furnished on ap
plication. r
Call upon or write to the Secretary, or J. 8. Woods, Sales
Agent, or any member of the Board of Directors.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
tt T B' F SiiAKPLEeHj J. L Dillon.
ttLW A G' BrigG3 Dr- l- W Willits,
Dr. H. v. McReynolps, N. L). Funk.
11-19-
ood Wodc.
For the finest and best stoves, tinware, roofine, spoutinc
and general job work, go to W. W. Watts, on Iron street
Lmldings heated by steam, hot air or hot water in a satisfac
tory manner. Sanitary Plumbing a specialty.
I have the exclusive control of the Thatcher steam hot
water and hot air heaters for this territory, which" is' acknowl
edged to be the best heater on the market. All work guaran-
I RON STREET.
U
1 f 1 L 1 -
disease
V
s
WoftLD AEiyrECAFE
Cut Chewing Tobacco
following brands of Cigars-
W. H. Hoore.
Revenue." Great
4 fHTTrw
N. U. Funk, Sec. C. II. Campbell, Treas
M SB U R
the factory district, and La3 no
at values that will be doubled
bad elsewhere to make money
MONTHLY PA YMPvtsl
W. W. WATTS,
liloonisburg; Pa.
llW.'-ly
Popular Magazines
.1 rnn Ttir uniir
kj rua ini; nuiACi
m
FRANK LESLIE'S
OPULAR
MONTHLY
Contain, nch Month I Original Water Color
Prontlnpleco 1 2S Quarto Panel ol Heading
Matter) IOO New and High. data llltMtra
tlon Mora Literary Matter and lllu.tra
tlona than any other Magarlna in America.
23 cti. I J Vear.
Frank Leslie's Pleasant Hours
FOR D0Y3 AND CIRLS.
A IMulit, 'W'holmomo, JtiTftille Monthly.
Tuilv tlluKtrnterf. Tho bent writer, for young
poopl oontrlbuH to It. 10 cti. : ft a year.
SEAS ALL SUBSCRIFTIOnS TO
; THE COLUMBIAN, Bloomsburg, Pa.
I CM'I KATKS.
' The C'Ot. I'M HI AN and Frnnk Leslie's
I'mmlnr Monthly ono yonr for far(, or
I lm pnprr ami I'lramitt Ilimrt for Uoya
I prd t.hlH, nr ti. (
Undoubtedly the Best Club Offers
flMir! fo Frank Uitle'i PublhMna Woum, N.T,
c.ir JVu lUtutrated ITemiom LUt. rut.
THE MARKETS.
BLOOMSBURG MARKETS.
OOEBICTID WI1ILT. RITAIL PRI0B8.
Butter per lb $ ,24
Eggs per dozen .14
Lard per lb .10
Ham per pound
Pork, whole, per pound .06
Beef, quarter, per pound .... .07
Wheat per bushel .80
Oats " 23
Rye " " ...1 50
Wheat flour per bbl 4 20
Hay per ton 13 to $14
Potatoes per bushel .30
Turnips " " 2s
Onions " " .50
Sweet potatoes per peck 25 to .30
Tallow per lb A
Shoulder " n
Side meat ' " 07
Vinegar, per qt 07
Dried apples per lb .05
Dried cherries, pitted .10
Raspberries .12
Cow Hides per lb .3$
Steer " 05
CalfSkin 80
Sheep pelts .75
Shelled com per bus ........ .50
Corn meal, cwt a.oo
Bran, " i,0o
Chop " 1.00
Middlings " 1 00
Chickens per lb new .12
" "old 10
Turkeys " ,2t
Geese " " VIO
Ducks " 0s
COAL.
No. 6, delivered 2.40
"4andS 3.50
" 6 at yard 2.25
" 4 and s at yard 3.25
E. A. RAWLINGS.
PKALER IN
All Kinds of Meat.
Beef, Veal, Lamb, Mutton,
Pork, Hams, Bacon, Tongues,
Bclogna, &c. Free Delivery
to all parts of the town.
CENTRE STREET,
BLOOMSBURC, PA.
ftaTTelephone connection.
PATENTS
Patnmatho.(1.'rratle.M"rk8 obtained, and ay,
FKES bU8lue88 conducted for MODKKATJI
KVp",lP.,..KI2l.OPJ,08ITETnB u- T.
bus n..KriiVV., i8 have no "b-aKencl08, all
n Sun ?J til' hBn.ce ?t transact, patent bust
mote from S usalng-ton.
tinnn1w10,!!l?ra,y.ln,f or Phot. with desorlp
1 , l! " I""enrble or not, f roe of
j V?ni, V.Vf rt?e not due till pattmtels secured
enonJ ,. j ?wt obtain I'aioutH." wltl1 'r
C. A. KNOW & CO,, Washington, D. CI
(Opposite U. 8 latent onice.)
Bring the Babies.
INSTANTANEOUS PROCESS USED.
Strictly first-class guaranteed photographs,
cinyons nnrl co) nt reasonable prices. We
use exclusively the C0II0M011 ArKtntvpe pa
pers, thus securing j;i eater I eautv of fmUh
and 1 ermanency of results. CAl'WKI.I.,
MARKET SQUARE GULERY.
I I-22-iy.
Over Hart innn's Slore.
p
GET YOUR
JOB PRINTING
DONE AT THE
COLUMBIAN OFFICE