State Convention—Interconvertible Notes. 247 
Mr. Sellers: I don’t want to discuss this matter. It seems to 
me that it is self-evident that the government can make a piece of 
silver “ fifty cents,” or it can make a piece of cloth fifty cents. What 
is the use of discussing this idea? What I want is a basis that is 
solid; that when you and I each have five dollars in our pocket 
we don’t care whether it is gold or silver. I have been a merchant 
for a number of years. I don’t want gold to send to New York to 
pay my bills. I couldn’t do it very well. I paid in one month, in 
1864, a million and a half of dollars. I never used a dollar in gold 
and silver. I gave a check. We want a dollar that when we have 
a piece of gold or a piece of paper, we know it is worth so much. 
Mr. Atwood: Our object is to get the truth; that is my object at 
all events. I came here to be informed, and I have heard both 
sides of the question, but 1 am frank to admit that I have seen no 
argument why coin should be the basis or circulating medium. 
President Bascorn told us in his answer to Professor Steele, in his 
criticism on that, which refers to the fluctuation of gold, that gold 
should be compared by itself. The professor goes on and makes a 
comparison of the ocean with gold. There I fail to see any direct 
connection with the subject, any convincing argument. It is more 
light that I want. As to the gentleman’s position here in reference 
to the gold dollar, I will volunteer this remark, that if this gen¬ 
tleman is worth ten, twenty, or thirty thousand dollars, and is a 
good, square, honorable man, and hasn’t a dollar of gold in the world, 
his note is good, among business men though they never see a dol¬ 
lar in gold. The property he holds is the value; a full equivalent. 
_ The gentlemen say it would revolutionize society if gold was 
stricken outof existence. We are all worshipping this golden calf; 
falling down and worshipping this image that has been worshipped 
for ages. I am a farmer, and live down in the eastern part of Dane 
county. I came up to the great city for light and information, and 
I fail to get any information on this subject. I don’t know but I 
am prejudiced; I don’t wish to be; I am certainly willing to hear 
argument upon it. I believe that is the feeling of farmers generally. 
They are not so apt to be prejudiced by interest as many other 
men. I don’t claim any better qualities for them. I don’t think 
they are so liable to yield to prejudice as some other parties. I 
would like to see these things answered. We have a bankers’ con- 
