Explore a pivotal 1886 address on money, value, and policy that challenged silver coinage and shaped financial debate.
This historical examination presents Edward Atkinson’s perspective on bi-metallism, the fate of the silver dollar, and the future of America’s monetary system. Readers will gain insight into the arguments, risks, and consequences discussed by a Boston businessman and advocate as he speaks to leaders in Providence about currency, commerce, and national prosperity.
The book gathers Atkinson’s thorough analysis of why silver was valued, how legal tender interacts with money, and what it means for industry, taxation, and daily life. It frames economic policy in the late 19th century by weighing competing views and offering a methodical critique of proposals to sustain silver at a fixed standard. The result is a lens on how monetary standards influence markets, politics, and the everyday experiences of workers and business people.
- Clear explanation of silver vs. gold standards and the concept of bi-metallism.
- Arguments about the impact of coinage policy on industry, taxation, and commerce.
- Historical perspective on how language and law shape money and legal tender.
- Discussion of the broader economic and political consequences of monetary choices.
Ideal for readers of economic history, policy debates, and 19th‑century American finance.