Marching for Sound Currency in 1896

Description

Reprinting in book format the semi-monthly newsletter “Sound Currency” of 1895 and 1896 by the same publisher (organized by subject, not date). The book is lavishly illustrated with hundreds of graphs, charts (currency in circulating, founding capital of banks, etcetera) and many cartoons. For example, on page 470 a dapper Uncle Sam is wooing a young “Prosperity”. She rebuffs him stating: “I want a gold engagement ring: a silver one won’t do.” Ex Library reading copy; merely Good. A bitter controversy surrounded the presidential election of 1896 – although hard to understand and explain today, the question of “what is money” was a central campaign issue. The Republican candidate William McKinley (1843-1901) supported the gold movement. The Democratic candidate William Jennings Bryan (1860-1925) wanted to increase the supply of money by expanding the coining of silver. One of the most famous speeches in presidential history is Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” speech, in which he concluded: “you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.” Tens of thousands marched in support of their respective positions. This book and from the “gold” camp. For the other side of the debate, see Item D12 of this List – that item is from Coin’s Financial School – a popular “silverite” movement that is derided in this book as “Coin’s Fools”. With the introduction of digital currencies such as Bitcoin, the question of what is money is again slowly moving into the forefront of popular discussion. For example, on Youtube see the fantastic Dogecoin Rap video by Remy: “What would you like me to do? Put it all into Dog Money!” (a reference to the digital currency Dogecoin). Perhaps we can learn from the debates raging in 1896. Scarce. At the time of cataloguing, no other copies for sale.