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Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Jul 21, 1896
Page
5
A fragment from July 20 quotes N. E. Mathewson pondering if coins should be minted into American silver dollars and how to use them. He questions whether people would redeem them or exchange for goods, suggesting no firm action yet.
Letter to the editor argues for free coinage of silver to reestablish a 16 to 1 ratio with gold. It explains current silver value is about 13.5 cents per dollar due to market abundance and limited coinage, while gold coinage is unrestricted. Proposes mint opening, parity by pricing 4121-2 grains of silver at 100 cents, making silver and gold dollars equal worldwide, reducing dependence on English gold. Author William R. Mellen of Worcester signs July 17.
STREETER WALES asks if US and Mexico can force gold and silver to parity as money by uniting against European gold monometallists who control silver prices. He notes US and Mexican silver sources account for about 70 percent of world silver, while gold bullion remains fixed at 29.68 dollars per ounce. He asks if coordinated action could establish silver at par with gold globally.
The article questions claims that the 1890 act mandating 4.5 million ounces of silver monthly caused the 1893 downturn. It notes the act’s repeal two years earlier and argues the premise is unlikely, noting scarce gold in circulation and suggesting retirement of gold would not greatly worsen conditions.
E Lucas of Quincy argues that free silver would lift silver prices and depress gold, but parity cannot be achieved by the United States alone. He cites Mexico as silver standard and Italy as gold standard, noting social decay in the latter and cautioning against gold standard as a universal remedy.
A Boston reader Maudell I Jacobs asks why the Bryan campaign does not put his wife in the presidency role, arguing she is more competent and helps write speeches while noting she has been ill and uneducated. She urges publication of her letter in the Post.
Mr John Adams of Waltham asked two questions about free coinage. Mathewson argues the motive is a robust American currency for vast domestic trade, not profits for metal owners. He clarifies that mine owners won’t sell to the government and that the public may bring items to the mint to be coined free of charge.
A Boston Highlands letter argues that gold and silver back government notes and bank bills, not cash, and warns that a shift to a silver basis would collapse credit, shut factories, and trigger runs on banks. It condemns free coinage distortions, urges common sense and informed understanding, and calls for fiscal restraint and education.
George A. McKinnon argues silver demonetization caused price shifts, citing 1840s to 1890s metal ratios and the 1873 act. He questions British and American reactions to free coinage, accuses elites of manipulation, and cites Ernest Seyd and Grant’s misgivings to claim a conspiracy enriched moneyed classes.
An advertisement praises Sanford's Ginger with French brandy and imported ginger, urging readers to seek the Owl trademark. The piece also includes John F. Dowd, Populist congressional candidate, outlining support for free silver, price declines, wage issues, and alignment with Bryan and Sewall in the 1894 Massachusetts eleventh district race.
Cathal Ua Barca at 333 Main Street Cambridge notes that currency would lose bullion value if dollars were brought back, advising spending coins in America to avoid devaluation.
Letter to the editor argues against silverites labeling rich men and cites gold bug rhetoric. Mentions George Fred Williams called traitor for party vote and Altgeld Bryan dubbed anarchists thieves and untruthful orators by Boston papers. H. M. B.
F J Gleason of Cambridge Mass issues a sharp reply to a public proposition about banning gold exports and silver imports for profit. He warns that even a few clever rivals would outpace the plan, and that large profits invite fierce competition, making the scheme unprofitable.
A letter to readers explains the writer's political stance in the current campaign. He notes years ago he left the Democracy to support public franchises and to restore silver to its former status, and states his action in the present race.
Public urged to attend the final week before September reopening with same principals. A double bill features Olivette Faust Cavalleria Rusticana and Chimes of Normandy. Performers Clara Lane Thomas Persse William Wolff Edith Mason Arthur Wooley and others receive strong praise. Wresting, jaw feats, and various variety acts accompany the operatic program across the week.
Keith's theater drew crowded crowds for an entirely new Symphony Orchestra programme and fresh vitascope views. The bill included Morton and Mack, Lew Bloom, Balabrega, and the Herald Square Quartet, plus a comedy duo and unique wire act. A second feature is Paul Boyton's World's Water Show at Huntington Avenue with two daily performances, rowing monkeys, an English water pantomime, Count of Monte Cristo scenes, and divers and swimmers. A free Charles River exhibition by the company is set for this afternoon from 6 o'clock to the Harvard Bridge.
Muldoon the solid bear and Sig Delvine the intrepid man held largely attended receptions in the lecture hall at Austin and Stone's Museum yesterday.
The Chutes at Huntington Avenue grounds remain a popular summer feature in Boston drawing thousands daily. The cool grounds offer relief from the heat while the chute ride provides amusing healthful recreation for all ages. Afternoon crowds grow as the band plays and shade abounds. children enter at half price before 6 p.m.
The blind baritone Edward Boyle, last at Keith's Theatre, departs for New York this week where he has many friends. He will likely appear before New York audiences as his Boston successes precede him.
The West End Street Railway Company Lynn and Boston Railway Company and Lancaster Elevated Railway Company representatives filed with transit commissioners to be considered as applicants for subway use. The commissioners yesterday closed the time for filing such applications.
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