"Free Coinage of Gold and Silver" - A report of Mr. Bland of the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures to the House of Representatives, February 10, 1892

"Free Coinage of Gold and Silver" - A report of Mr. Bland of the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures to the House of Representatives, February 10, 1892 (To accompany H. R. 4426) was the response of the Committee to its consideration of House bill H.R. 4426, entitled, "A bill for the free coinage of gold and silver, for the issue of coin notes, and for other purposes." Mr. Bland summarizes the consensus of the Committee, with the words "...The bill provides for the free and unlimited coinage of silver on same terms as gold is now coined....Coin notes may be issued on the gold and silver deposited if demanded, instead of waiting for the coin....They are made a legal tender and of like monetary functions as the standard coins. They are redeemable at the Treasury of the United States in coin on demand…" In addition to Mr. Bland's summary, the complete minority report of the Committee is included in the document. This report of the Committee on Coinage, Weights and Measures can be further referenced as Report No. 249 to the House of Representatives, 52nd Congress, 1st Session.

This First Edition copy of the Committee report is contained in a 28 page staple-bound document, without covers, that measures approximately 5 ¾ x 8 ¾ inches. The pages are deeply tanned, but the text is clear and easily read. The first page is detached and there are a few pencil markings in the booklet used to highlight some paragraphs. The overall condition of the booklet is good.

The illustrations accompanying this description show the first page of the document and four typical 2-page spreads of text.

Richard Parks Bland (August 19, 1835 – June 15, 1899), American school teacher, lawyer, and Democratic Congressman between 1873 and 1899, serving except from 1895 to 1897, when he returned to office. In 1872, he was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives in the 43rd Congress. He was re-elected to the House ten times, narrowly defeated in 1894, regained his seat in 1896, was re-elected in 1898, and died in 1899. He was chairman of the Committee on Mines and Mining in the 44th Congress. He was chairman of the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures in the 48th Congress, 49th Congress, 50th Congress, 52nd Congress, and 53rd Congress. [Wikipedia]