The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-06-07
TIE MONETARY CONFERENCE.

| VdG GftGENO6.
The results of the Monetary Conference
thus far have not been such as to inspire the
silver producing countries with much enthu-
siasm. There has been an exchange of
views between delegates upon the question
before them, followed by an adjournment to
the 3Oth of the present month. The adj
iournment has been made to enable the rep
resentatives to report the progress made 10
their respective governments and obtain
further instructions. 1t thus appears the del
egates were not sent to Paris fully empower
ed to conclude a definite agreement, but met
merely to talk the matter over, that each may
ascertain the views of the Others and trans
NIT them to their respective home authorities
to be read and digested by them at their leis-
ure. If the delegates live and the trumpet
of the angel Gabriel do not surprise the con-
ference in its session, some definite and tangi-
BILE result of its deliberations may be expect
ed during the present century.
Although nothing has been done toward
the formation of a general bi-metallic union,
the conference has not been altogether bar
rem of encouraging prospect in the future.
1t was not expected at the first that England
would join it nor that Germany would en-
press any sympathy for the movement. 1t
seems, however, that both of those nations
are more favorably disposed toward the OBJ
iects of the conference than was anticipated.
The English government has consented that
India may take such action as best suits her
and as the representative Of that country
has declared strongly in favor of the double
standard the concession carries with it great
weight. The petitions praying that represent
atives be sent to the conference which have
been sent up to the English authorities, from
several manufacturing districts in the
Kingdom, may have had some influence with
the government in determining its favorable
action. However that may be, the fact, that
as long as the conference does not interfere
with her single standard methods the HOSTILE
ty of England may not be apprehended, is of
considerable Importance to the final success
of the meeting.
AS to Germany, while she is welded to her
single gold standard aud declines to be d.
vorced from it, yet, she is willing to facilitate
and encourage a bi-metallic agreement be-
tween other countries. The action of the
conference has been considerably embarrass-
ed by fears of that power. 1t was apprehen-
slve tina if a bi-metallic union were formed
that Germany would throw her great amount
of surplus silver into the union and thus
load down the market to such an extent as to
seriously interfere with the ultimate success
OF the double standard methods. But Ger
many comes forward and save she will not do
this. She is willing to guarantee to the union,
if it be formed, that during a period of years
she would abstain from all sales of silver,
and during another period of a certain dura-
ton she would engage to sell annually only
a limited quantity and that quantity so small
that the general market would not be de-
pressed by it. The time Of sales and the
amounts to be sold to form a subject of flu
ture negotiations. 1t will thus be seen that
while England and Germany do not propose
to be bound ny tie action of the conference
in every particular, they are willing to aid it
as far as they can without jeopardizing their
petted gold standard.
From the best information at hand it would
seem there is ground for a reasonable hope
hat in the distant future a union may be
formed upon a basis that will prove a lasting
benefit to not only every silver producing
country, but to the countries which are par
ties to it. The union will probably embrace
the United STATES, France, British India, the
Scandinavian nations, Italy, Switzerland,
Holland and possibly Russia and Austria.
Should this combination be formed there can
be no question that silver would be restored
to its former value the world over and would
enter into the circulating medium side by
side with gold. The ratio will probably be
fixed at 49, to |. We may have to wait some
time for the favorable conclusion of the
labors of the conference, hut when it is
reached the benefits that will arise from it
will immediately make themselves manifest
in the appreciation of silver and the stifien-
ing of the value of silver mining properties.
Commander Gorringe, who brought the
Egyptian obelisk to New York city and sue