Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 August 1896 — ALLISON ON SILVER. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

ALLISON ON SILVER.

lowa Senator Favors Bimetallism by Agreement. Senator William B. Allison, in reply to aVrequest for his views touching bimetallism by international agreement, has written a, letter, which has beets‘ J p?mted by tfif,,. Upper Dos, Moines of Algon-a. la. Mr. Allison was chairman of the United States delegation to the Brhssels monetary conference lit 1892, and studied the question exhaustively. He Bays in part: "As respects the prospect for art international agreement lb fix a ratio between gold and silver, with u View to open mints With unlimited coinage by the agreeing nations, I am still of the belieftlfat shell an agreement within a reasonable time is probable. The silver countries cannot abandon silver because of their situation, nor can they procure gold to take the place of silver, even if they were inclined to do so. Hence the necessity of a-com-' mbn ratio between the metals, embracing the leading commercial nations. France. Belgium, Holland, Germany and Spain have large amounts of Silver 1h circulation full legal tender, coined at the old - ratio* of 15 % of silver to lof gold. To melt

fnese coins, or sell them at their bullion value, would involve great loss, which they cannot afford to bear. Ather countries in Europe have, in the aggregate, a large amount of silver in circulation and are in like situation. “In England there is a growing sentiment for international bimetallism, embracing her political economists, her professors of universities, as also her manu-

facturers, agriculturists, ship owners engaged in foreign trade, and miin.v of her leading bankers, and those especially trading with her dependencies, chiefly with India, embracing all classes. These arc united into a formidable organization to promote bimetallism. On the continent the Stales of the Latin union, except Switzerland, are practically united. Thqye is a strong sentiment in Germany in the same direction. The international bimetallists are thoroughly organized in France, Germany, Belgium and Holland.

“The Brussels conference met at an inopportune time and without sufficient preparation and consultation with governments invited to participate. Such a conference, when held, should be preceded by a carefully digested plan for discussion prepared in advance by the leading governments. Thus it was at Brussels that Germany and Austria and some of the smaller States were not permitted to aet and vote in the comerenee, and therefore it was a failure as respects im-

mediate results, but it accomplished one tiling of great value, namely, a general recognition of a serious evil that required a practical remedy.

SENATOR ALLISON.

THE NEW JERSEY RAILROAD HORROR. (Wreek of the second car from which not a passeng rescaped unhurt.)