The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-11
SPRINGER HAS A SCHEME.
He Favors Referring the Silver
Question to an International
Congress.
II Ia Proposed to Have IT Meet
IN Chicago in the Year
1893.
Fear That Nothing Could be Accom- plishsd
Now With Republican Senate and
Republican President.

YER question lies in an International agree-
ment. They will favor bill
which is now being prepared for
national congress to DO held in Chica-
60 in 1893. Such disposition Of the ques-
tion by congress, If it should carry, would
prevent the silver question becoming
harassing issue in the coming campaign
and enable the fierce political battle of 1893
to be fought on the burning issues of tariff
reform.
Regarding the course he thought should
be pursued by the democratic party in this
congress- on the question, Representative
Springer tonight told an Associated press
reporter: ''Tho course I've heretofore pur-
sued is we'll known. I'm bimetallist, and
can't support any policy which would rele-
gate silver to tho rear or eliminate il from
politics. On the contrary, would make it
great national and international! question
and would set it upon lines as broad as pos
sible and at the earliest time practicable.
That which is desirable and may be at
tanned ought to be the aim of all legisla-
tion. 1t would be next to impossible for
both houses to agree upon a silver bill of
any kind. Even should an agreement be
reached between the two houses securing
free coinage or making more liberal pro-
visions in that direction, the president
stands ready to interpose his veto. Hence no
legislation upon this ssubject, however desr-
able, can be attained. The situation carries
then to March A, 1898, when the present
congress expires by limitation Of law. The
next congress, elected in November, 1882,
will not assemble till December 1893. This
ia the ear lest time possible to enter upon
the consideration of measures which may
thereafter be enacted regarding the coinage
of silver. The present congress could pass
an act authorizing the assembling Of nm in
terrationai none harry con ngressswh hose object
3Wonlo bs to TO; lnulate, subject to the ap-,
rroval Of the countries represented, uni-
form monetary SYSTEM ana to Tx tho rela-
tions which gold and silver should bear to
each other.
"It seems most appropriate that this in-
ternational cong ess be held in Chicago
during the Worlds fair. 1t should be
congress-, not secret conference or COM
mission, and should have a large represen-
tatlon from this government and from those
with which we maintain diplomatic rela-
tions. The proceedings should be pub
lished the same as those of congress. 1t
would thus become great educational
agency for the enlightenment of the
people of all countries on. the subject.
The United States representatives should
be appointed by the president of the senate
and the steaket, at least seven by each, not
more, four of them to be members OF the
same political party, and who should repre-
sent different shades of opinion on the sub
jeot. 1t might be we'll to authorize the sec
retary of state and the director of the mint
to act also as United States representatives.
The presidents should be authorized to in
vite the various governments to send repre-
sentatives. and should inform the other
governments that the United States earn
estly desires to secure uniform system of
coinage, weights and measures, to be
adopted thereafter by all commercial ma
tions in order to facilitate exchange of COM
modities and simplify monetary transac-
tions; also that the United States desires an
international agreoment regarding the
relations to be maintained between
gold and silver. In event of no conclusion
being reached the law making power of the
United States vii! feel at liberty to accept
welfare of the people of this country. If
an international agreement could be So
cured which would meet the approval of
even some of the leading nations of the
earth, 1T would be the greatest thing OF the
century,. Even should they not be secured,
from the publication Of the proceedings
would enable our own congress. when it
assembled in 1888, to reach a conclusion on
silver coinage that would best pro-
mote the interests of our own people.
''The democratic party is the party of
the people, believing in meeting. discuss
ing and settling every question after the
fulest possible discussion upon suoh basis
as will best conserve the best interest Of
the people. 1t is of the utmost Importance
that when the silver question is settled. it
be settled right. All will concede that An
agreement is the best settle
ment of the silver question. We should
make a determined effort to secure such
Failing we will be justified in
acting for ourselves in manner best for
our separate interests"
Senator Carlisle said to reporter: can
congress for the solution of
the silver QUESTION is, l think, the only
practical thing that cnn be done at this
time. OF course. the agitation of the
question can go on for an indefinite time
without accomplishing any practical re-
suits. But il aamonetnrv a conference can
agree upon somo plan which would receive
the approval of the countries inter ested
the whole question may be satisfactorily |
settled. The agitation now going on is do
ing harm all the time, whereas the pro-
posed plan might bring about satisfactory
results"
The senator. continuing, said he
thought measure properly framed would |
pasS Dotn houses OF congress, tuouKu VHe
lltra free coinage men may oppose IT. II
lon't think it good policy," he said, "for
tho democratic party to adopt a free COIN
ige platform, as the party is divided upon
hat question. / do not think the silver
question has rs yet received adequate oon-
alteration by the people"
Senator Palmer favored the proposed bill
'or an international congress saying he
law no other means of determining the
parity Of gold and silver. "Ihe discussion
low going on in the country i'll regard to
he silver question" he snid, "is valuable.
md must go on until the public mind
caches something like common ground
If agreement. A free coinage platform for
he democratic party is simply impossible,
IL the party IN divided an the question. II
= apparent even now that the proposition
will be bitterly opposed. and by some of
he most prominent demoorats."
Chairman Bland, of the houso coinage
is out OF tho city, but his col
enguss SAY no opposes any delay in silver
egislntion.
Representative Sherman says. eIhs best
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