Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-07-04
THE SILVER CONFERENCE.

Washington dispatches of June 27tl
say that some days ago, Secretary
Evarts issued invitations to Messrs
Groesbeck, FentOn, and Watkins, com.
missioners on the part of the govern.
ment to the international monetary
conference. authorized under the silver
bill, to come to Washington for the pur
pose of receiving information regarding
the conference. Mr. Groesbeck arrived
here last night and this morning called
upon the secretary to pay his respects.
Up to this afternoon FentOn and Walk
er have not arrived, though they are
both expected here tonight. To-mOr-
row the other commissioners will meet
the secretary of state at his office, when
a formal talk on the matter will be in
dulged in. Secretary Sherman will also
be present at this meeting. 1t is pro-
posed to give to the commissioners Just
such information concerning the COM
ing conference as is now possessed by
the state department, viz: The num-
Der of nations that have accepted the
invitation to take part in the confer
ence, the terms of their acceptances,
the correspondence with them, and the
standing to be accorded to the respec-
tive commissioners. The law provid-
ing for the conference will also be read,
and the duties of the commissioners ex-
planned to them. One of the commits
slOners, IN a conversation tonight, said
that so far as he knew the commission
ers were not to be allowed any individ-
ual discretion with regard to the re-
of fcJ "a tI,o+ +l,;z
ernment having but recently by act OF
congress agreed to the reconciliation of
silver it was not reasonable to suppose
the discretion would be given
to any three commissioners to undo
or recommend to other countries the
contrary of the recent act of this
government The real object of this
conference, he thought, is to afford this
government an opportunity of formally
announcing to the world its action in
remonetizing silver, and urge upon
other nations the propriety of adopting
an international relative standard be-
tween gold and silver. At present there
are four different standards, and the OBJ
Ject Is to agree upon one. Of course
the agreement of the conference will rot
be regarded as final. On their return
here the commissioners will file their
report with the secretary of state, and
the matter will be laid before congress.
1t is then for congress to ratify or reject
the agreement, if any, Of the confer
ence. AS near as can be now Judged,
the conference will be held ct Paris on
the 25th of next month. All commits
siOners will be admitted, it is thought
upon the same footing. Russia, Austria
Hungary, Italy, France, Greece Switzer-
land, and Holland will participate in
the conference. England will also send
representatives., but will maintain a diff
terent position from the rest. Her COM
missioners will be more like lookers-on
in Venice. England desires to pursue
a more cautious course, and does not
wish to put herself in a position to be
bound or compromised by the action of
the conference. The English govern
ment, however, will consider the results,
and will be in position to accept or
reject the terms of the agreement in the
end. 1t is also hoped that Germany
may come in as looker-on, All pre-
liminaries will be settled tomorrow
There seems to be no definite idea as to
now long the conference will last.