a THfl COLUMBIAN, BLOOMSBURO, PA. BUCKALEW ON SILVER. A Sketch ol the Silver Question of Recent Years In Congress, together With Statistics Relating to the Same, by Ex-Senator Buckalew. . COINS OF THE UNITED STATE3. The present established coins of the United States, issueable by the mints, are composed of several metals fitted for the purpose to which they are applied and are of denominations suitable for public use. First we have the minor coins, two in number, the five-cent nickel and the bronze penny, which supply the place of coins no longer issued. Next in rank are the subsidiary silver coins, which are of three denominations the dime, the quarter-dollar and the half-dollar. These together with the minor coins constitute our fractional coin currency. They are all divisions of the dollar, which is our money unit and unit of account ; and coins representing that unit and multiples thereof are proper ly speaking coin money, and were in tended not only for purposes of cur rency among the people but also to fix a standard of value in all pecuniary transactions public and private. In this latter capacity they were intended to possess and should possess inherent or intrinsic value equal to their face or denominational value and consti tute redemption money for all other forms of currency. Our silver dollar, coming next after fractional coin in the ascending scale, formerly bore the undoubted character of complete money, according to the description just given 5 but unfortunately, at present the metal of which it is main ly made has fallen greatly in intrinsic and therefore commercial value ; and, instead of being the fit agent for the redemption or change of paper and fractional currency, requires itself the strong arm of government to main tain its credit and circulation. The gold coins, ranking next, consist of the dollar, quarter-eagle, three-dollar- piece, half-eagle, eagle and double eagle, about which remarks are not at present required. Various other coins have been heretofore issued by the mints of the United States ; but for reasons resting in utility and con venience their coinage has been drop- pea. 1 he old copper coins, renre senting half-cent, one cent and two cents, were heavy and inconvenient : while the five and three-cent silver coins were too small, and the twenty cent silver piece was too near in size and character to the quarter-dollar in common circulation. As to the depreciation of the silver dollar in its intrinsic value, the reme dy proposed of increasing the quanti ty of silver contained in it is not in my opinion admissible for two rea sons : first, the great fluctuations of silver in price would render any stable rule of proportion between it and gold impossible ; and, second, be cause dollars so produced would at all times of silver depreciation be much too large for convenient use. The gold coins in denomination below five dollars on account of their small ness can never have very extensive circulation and will doubtless be issu ed by the mint only to the extent of popular demand. Having stated thus much in regard to the coinage of the United States, I will next proceed to describe the leg islation of congress since 1874 upon the subject of money and currency, so far as that legislation relates to what is commonly known as the silver question still confronting us in the year 1896 ; after which review we will be best able to answer certain press ing questions of the hour. These are : Shall standard silver dollars be coined by the mints of the United States in unlimited quantity upon demand of holders of silver bullion and at a ratio by weight of sixteen to one compared with gold? Shall treasury notes or other forms of paper currency, made legal tender and receivable for all public dues, redeemable in such coin and equal to the whole or a large part thereof in amount, be issued by the government of the United States ? But, if these things are not to be done, what shall be done? What policy shall be adopted regarding the three hundred seventy-one- million of silver dollars now in the treasury and with the hundred twenty-five millions of silver bullion now in the United States mints ? RESUMPTION ACT. When Congress met on the first Monday of December, 1874, the pa per currency of the United States was as follows : United States notes. . .$382,000,000. Fractional currency. . . 44,000,000. Notes on U. S. banks.. 354,000,000. Total, 780,000,000. There was no coin in circulation, such currency having been displaced during the war, and its circulation could not be 'restored until the re sumption of specie pa ment by the government upon the demand notes which it had issued. It is true that by a wise provision of the law duties upon imports were payable in coin ; but the coin received from this source of income was pledged for interest upon the public loans and was from time to time so applied. Even subsi diary coin had disappeared, its place being usurped by the fractional paper currency above mentioned. This was the situation when Congress undertook to provide for the resumption of spe cie payment upon its public obliga tions. The very important act for that purpose was passed January 14, 1875, known as the resumption act, which provided for the retirement and destruction as rapidly as possible of fractional notes and substitution there for of silver coins of the denomina tions often, twenty -five and fifty cents, and for the redemption in coin of United States notes on and after the first of January, 1879. To accom plish the objects of the law the secre tary of the treasury was authorized to use any surplus funds of the govern ment and to sell for coin United States bonds provided for by the act of 1870, relating to the refunding of the public debt. Finally the act con templated the gradual reduction of United States notes to three hundred million dollars by substituting United States bank notes for the eighty-two million dollars theretofore authorized exceeding that sum. Under this law four and four-and-a half per cent, interest-bearing bonds to establish and maintain the reserve fund or redemp tion fund in question through the sev eral intervening years between the passage of the act and the year 1878 were issued by the United States and from time to time were sold by the secretary of the treasury, subject to interruption of his work by the pas sage of the Bland silver bill through the House of Representatives, No vember 5, 1877, by the large vote of one hundred sixty-three to thirty-four. That bill (which will be presently de scribed) stopped the selling of bonds by the secretary at home and abroad and threatened the measure of resump tion with failure. Striking, as it did, a powerful blow at public credit, it created alarm and evoked resistance in commercial circles and was the occasion of vigorous protest from the secretary of the treasury to members of the Senate against its passage. Eventually, to save resumption, the bill was amended in the Senate by changing one of its most dangerous features ; in consequence of which amendment resumption was accom plished at the time fixed for it and has been ever since maintained by government. But it was for a time in deadly peril from the Bland silver bill and narrowly escaped destruction. THE BLAND SILVER BILL. The Bland bill above referred to, as it passed the house of representa tives provided : "That there shall be coined, at the several mints of the United States, silver dollars of four hundred and twelve and a half grains troy of standard silver, as provided in the act of January eighteenth, eigh teen hundred and thirty-seven, on which shall be the devices and super scriptions provided by said act, which coins, together with all silver dollars heretofore coined by the United States, of like weight and fineness, shall be a legal tender, at their nomi nal value, for all debts and dues, public and private, except where otherwise expressly stipulated in the contract ; and any holder of silver bullion may deposite the same at any coinage mint or assay-offlce, to he coin ed into such dollars, for his benefit, upon the same terms and conditions as gold bullion is deposited for coinage under existing laivs." Here was provided for unlimited silver coinage with express legal tender capacity for the coins issued, with a full right in any person whether native or foreign to deposit silver bullion for coinage into dollars tor his or her benefit without any mint charge for coining. The words "for his benefit" are the pregnant ones in this clause j for they mean simply that whenever silver is below par 'with gold, com mercially or in open market, the profit resulting from the coinage of his bullion shall go into his own pocket. That monstrous bill, however, en countered opposition in the senate trom friends of the resumption of specie payment who saw in it the defeat of their favorite measure, in which was undoubtedly involved the prosperity and welfare of the country; and thereupon a bargain was made between the silverite and the resump tion interests, the terms of which ap pear upon the face of the bill in the form in which it was finally passed. For, by agreement, the words above cited in italic were struck out and the following words substituted therefor : "And the secretary of the treasury is authorized and directed to purchase, from time to time, silver bullion, at the market-price thereof, not less than $2,000,000 worth per month nor more than $4,000,000 worth per month, and cause the same to be coined monthly, as fast as so purchased, into such dollars ; and any gain or seignorage arising from this coinage shall be accounted for and paid into the treasury, as provided under exist ing laws relative to subsidiary coinage froiided, That the amount of money at any one time invested in such silver bullion, exclusive of such resulting CONTINUED ON THIRD PAGE. The majority of the housewives are just now engaged in moving the bed to the other side of the room, hauling the bureau from between the windows and putting it cross-wise of the corner. The curtains in the spare room are nulled down and huns in the front hall bedroom and the carpet is turned t'other side un after beins? pounded with a six dollar fish-pole. Uown stairs the sideboard and the dining table are backed un asainst each other, and the parlor carpet and furniture is piled on the front porch. There are carpet tacks scattered all over the house, the wife of your bosom has cut her hand on a broken window and contracted a bad case ol " new ralipy " from being so much in the wind. Breakfast is the only cooked meal of the day. You couldn't find your Sunday suit if you should hunt a week and the hired trirl has punched an umbrella clear through the band box that holds your plug hat. A pail of white wash has the floor and you had better co fishinir until "house cleanin" is all over or your hair will grow'gray faster than ever. A Deception Easily Practised is the offer of a reward for "any case of catarrh not cured" by certain "cures" or "blood medicines." Noth ing is said regarding the number of bottles required, and therein lies the deception. The makers of Ely's Cream Balm, have never resorted to such devices. Cream Balm is an elegant preparation, agreeable to use, and immediate in its beneficial re sults. It cures catarrh. You can rely upon the fact that it contains no mercury nor other injurious drug. 50 cts. A "size" in a coat is one inch ; in underwear, two inches ; in socks, one ineh 5 in collars, one-half inch ; in shoes, one-sixth inch ; in trousers, one inch ; in gloves, one-quarter inch, and in hats, one-eighth inch. No one really knows what becomes of last year's flies, but this year's crop will soon crowd them out of memory. Much in Little Is especially true of Hood's Fills, for no medi cine ever contained so great curative power In so small space. They are a whole medicine Hood's chest, always ready, al- ways efficient, always sat- ill a9 lsfactory; prevent a cold 111 3 or fever, cure all liver ills, sick headache, Jaundice, conMlpatlo.1, etc. 25c. The only Pills to take with Hood's Sarsaparllla. i Dr. O. W. Holm Holmes I says that music is an ever-sovereiim , mum. auu flu it is, uiaug aiercy, . for sore SDirits. But fur the antics 1 pains and weaknesses of the bodv douusoQ s ueiiuuonna riuster is bet-1 ' ter. It soothes, warms, comforts ( 1 and heals. It seeks out the cause of ( 1 the trouble and sets it ritrht. It con- , I tains virtues old as history, yet never 1 before so combined as to be of the , highest practical efficacy. Koto the 1 lieu uross on au the genuine. JOHNSON ft JOHNSON, outuuittcuiruig i ng CUemisu, Kuw York, 0 can blame a yourself if you do n't get real good coffee to drink. Ordinary coffee is made de licious by adding package for Seellg's. A little of this iadmixture to 'cheap coffee SCCLIU 3. pkt. makes a delicious L drink and saves expense. EXCHANGE HOTEL, G. Snyder, Proprietor, (Opposite the Court House BLOOMSBURG, PA. Large and convenient sample rooms. Bath rooms, hot and cold water, and all mo lent vC J) ? conveniences heed the'signal Many persons take a variety of remedies and try many novel procedures to reduce their weight. We do not refer to these. If you have been in fair health, with a normal amount of fleshy and yet have been losing weight of late, there is something wrong. If there is an inherited ten dency to weak lungs; if your cold hangs on, or if you are weak, without appetite, losing color, and easily exhausted ; this loss of flesh is the signal of distress. Heed it, promptly. of Cod-liver Oil, with hypophosphites, comes to the rescue, because it supplies a peculiar food in a pleasant and easily digested form. This oil has medicinal properties not found in any other fat ; while the hypophosphites have sustaining and life-giving properties of their own. Don't let yourself get mm. C 0 cts. and f 1 a bottl. ALEXANDER BROTHERS & CO. DEALERS IX Cigars, Tobacco, Candies, Fruits and ITuts SOLE AGENTS FOR Henry Halliard's Fine Candies. Fresh Every Week. IFtTiN-s GooD3 a. Specialty, SOLE AGENTS FOR F. F. Adams & Co's Fine Cut Chewing Tobacco Bole agents for the following brands of Cigars- Haary Clay, Loadres, Normal, Indian Princess, Samson, Silver As Bloomsburg Pa. Our Spring Styles of Shoes are nearly all. 25 years experience in shoe buying puts us in the lront rank of shoe dealers. Comfort, style and durability are combined in our shoes. Cohuek Ikd.v and Main Sts. W. H. floore. f6e$ Iow kqd G(ood Worif. . For the finest and best stoves, tinware, roofing, spouting and general job work, go to W. W. Watts, on Iron street. Buildings 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 teed. fa IRON STREET. CITY HOTEL, W. A. Bartzel, Prop. FeWr F. Reldy, Manager No. 121 West Main Street, BLOOMSBURG, PA. SiTLarge and convenient sample rooms Bath rooms, hot and cold water, and al modern conveniences. Bar stocked with bes wines and liquors. First-class livery attached Greatest Clothing Event ever occurred The oldest established woolen mill, : .. t . and makers of the Best woolen gU S Up bufness- goods in the U S. Genuine Edward Harris We bought entire stock of cloth Made it in Clothing Will sell at fifty cents on the dollar. 50 cents on the $1.00 Suits $7.75 to $20.00 Last opportunity to get this reliable make of cloth. Notwithstanding the prices, were paying SAME AS EVER Railroad Fare on purchases of moderate amount, as usual. WANAMAKER & BROWN. Sixth and Market Sts. WM. H. WANAMAKER. Twelfth and Market Sts. PHILADELPHIA SCOTT B0WNE, Chemists, N.w York. W. W. WATTS, Bloomsburg, Pn. The Leading Conserratorr of America .axl fail-tin. Director. Founded In ltBJbj Send for Prospects giving full information. f P -"fhank W. Hali. Frank W. Hals, General Manager. ) iwet again? You'll die some day. Before long, too, if you don't take care of those feet. Some of the J newest, most desirable things! in wet weather shoes are here. Bloomsburg ; Store Co., Ltd. mm THE MARKETS. BLOOMSBURG MARKETS. corkictid wiiiLT. aiTiiL rucii. Butter per lb $ ,22 Eggs per dozen 12 Lard per lb , .10 Ham per pound 12 Pork, whole, per pound .0 Beef, quarter, per pound, . . . .07 Wheat per bushel. 80 Oats " 28 Rye " " 50 Wheat flour per bbl 4 00 Hay per ton 12 to $14 Potatoes per bushel .25 Turnips " 5 Onions " " i.40 Sweet potatoes per peck 2 5 to .30 Tallow per lb ,l Shoulder " " Side meat " " 7 Vinegar, per qt 07 Dried apples per lb 05 Dried chemes, pitted 10 Raspberries ,Ia Cow Hides per lb l Steer " 1 CalfSkin ; 8o Sheep pelts 75 Shelled corn per bus .50 Com meal, cwt a.oo Bran, I00 Chop 1.00 Middlings " i.00 Chickens per lb new ,1 2 'old ia Turkeys " " rat Geese " " ",, Ducks " " o8 COAL. No. 6, delivered a. 40 " 4 and s " 3.50 " 6 at yard 2.25 " 4 and s at yard 3.25 There is fun in the foam, and health in the cup of HIRES Rootbeer the great temperance drink. M(Mt. d Bring the EaMes. INSTANTANEOUS PROCESS USED. Strictly first-class guaranteed photographs, crayons and copys at reasonable prices. We use exclusively the Collolion Anstotype pa pers, thus securing greater beautv of finish and permanency of results. CAP'WELL, MARKET SQUARE GALLERY. Il-22-ly. Over Ilartman's Store. siops manufacturing for good. 28 7HV
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