'No, I do not think Congress will interfere. The conservative element of the inflation party was appeased by the reissue of $300,000,000, and the candid way in which their silver legislation was carried out. I do not anticipate that Congress can affect this action.'

'May not the surprise of the news that you so readily negotiated these bonds and secured your gold, enrage those who have cast their political hopes upon preventing resumption?'

'I do not see why. General Ewing and the finance committee were clearly apprised by me two weeks ago of the exact plan I have followed out. They questioned me directly, and I told them. As no attack has been made upon that programme, I look for no successful resistance to its performance.'

'Do you consider the price paid by the syndicate for these bonds as good?'

'It was the best that could at present be had. I wanted them, first, to take $50,000,00 to $100,000,000 of the four per cent. bonds at 103—bonds that I think preferable in some respects, particularly for durable investment. These gentlemen, however, thought those bonds not convenient for them for ready sale, and they urged that I ought to let them have the four and a half per cents. at par, as some had been put to the people at that. I desired a premium of three per cent. They finally met me half way, and gave one and a half premium. In short, we get a very little scant of 103 currency for those bonds, for the syndicate pays over to us the accrued interest.'

'You do not anticipate that they will take the $10,000,000 and decline the other $40,000,000?'

'No; I think our economy, industry, exports, production, ready resources and general physical and political superiority will expand right onward, and protect everybody who puts faith in our national securities.'

'How much gold have you absolutely got for resumption to-day?'

'Seventy-two millions clear net of our own. I have nearly $140,000,000 present due, or coming, not counting any liabilities on it. The $50,000,000 I have secured to-day will give me, clear of everything, $120,000,000 of gold, and that is plenty.'

'Have you read the views of Mr. Musgrave and other bankers, in "The Graphic," on the theory that you have enough gold now and would not have to redeem much with your gold? I heard a merchant say this afternoon that you might not have $5,000,000 put at you!'