I do not hesitate," concluded Senator Gruff, turning to Mr.
Bayard, "to cast you into the breach, because, of all who are here, you are the one best qualified and, I might add, least afraid to be heard.
You have no constituents to be either shocked at your opinions or to punish their expression." Senator Coot's curiosity touching Senator Hanway's money position, a fatal curiosity that had it not been smothered might have spread, was overwhelmed in a general desire to hear Mr.Bayard.The great speculator was known to every statesman about the table, and the whisper of conversation became hushed.
"As said the gentleman who has so honored me,"-- here Mr.Bayard bowed to Senator Gruff, who complimented him by lifting his glass,--"there are no reasons why I should not give you my beliefs of money.

I will tell you what I would and would not do for a currency, if I were business manager of a country.

I would not coin silver money, because the low intrinsic value of such currency would make it a cumbrous one.

I would not coin both silver and gold, because of the impossibility of maintaining an equality of values between the two coins.

I would coin gold and nothing but gold, because it offers those qualities, important above others in a money metal, of high value and high durability." "But is there gold enough to furnish all the money required ?" asked Senator Coot, who was nervously interested.
"For centuries," replied Mr.Bayard, who began to feel a warmer interest than he had in any situation or any topic for over thirty years, "for centuries production has been filling the annual lap of the world with millions upon millions of gold.