The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-11
TO ETADE THE ISSUE.
Democrats Want to Postpone
Silver Laws Until 1893.
AN INTERNATIONAL SOLUTION.
Salaries Proposed Instead of Fees for
United States officials.
AN INTERNATIONAL SOLUTION.
Democrats Badly Divided on Coinage
Question-Some of the Leaders Want
to Force n Bill for Harrison to Veto

question as a legislative issue mas been
once more awakening the liveliest appre-
tensions of both parties at the national
capital for the past few days. This topic
has been the subject of more discussion
than tariff reform, but there is suddenly
manifested among Democratic leaders q
disposition to prevent the silver question
reaching the dignity of paramount issue
to the prejudice of tariff reform 1t is
said that measures will be taken to stamp
the financial question as secondary issue.
Representative Springer, Carlisle Of
Kentucky, Senator Palmer, of Illinois,
and Representative O'Neill, of Massa-
chusetts, are few prominent Democrats
said to believe that the best solution of
the question lies in an international
agreement, and will favor the bill now be-
ing prepared for the relegaton of the
question to an international congress to
be held at Chicago in 1893. Such a dis
position of the question by congress
would, of course, prevent the silver ques-
ton becoming q harrassing issue of 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 stated to an Associated
Press reporter:
The course have pursued is well known.
am a bimetallist and can not support any policy
which would relegate silver to the rear or elimi-
nate 1t from politics. On the contrary, would
make 1t great national and International Ques-
tion and would Set it upon lines as broad as
possible and at the earliest time practicable.
That which is desirable and may be attained
ought to be the aim of all legislation. What,
then, is attainable during this con-
gress so far as silver is con-
cerned? 1t would be next to impossible
for both houses to agree upon silver bill of any
kind. Even should an agreement be reached
between the two houses securing free coinage
or making more liberal provisions in that direc-
ton, the president stands ready to interpose his
veto- Hence, no legislation upon this subject,
however desirable, can be attained. The situa-
tion carries us, then, to March 4, 1898, when the
present congress expires by Limitation of law.
The next congress, elected November next, will
not assemble until December, 1893 This is the
earliest time possible to enter upon cousidera-
tion of the measures which may thereafter be
enacted regarding the coinage of silver.
Can anything be done In the meantime to en-
able congress to reach proper conclusion of
the silver question when the time arrives at
"AASA HAa'h1Sai ASSlsidtlou may DC euLereu
upon? This, it seems to me, is the practicable
question for the consideration OF congress. This
congress could pass an act authorizing an as
sembly of an international monetary congress
whose object will be to formulate, subject to the
approval of the countries represented, a uni
form monstnry system and fix the relations
which gold and silver should bear to each other.
IL seems most appropriate that this international
congress should be held at Chicago during the
Worlds fair. II should be congress, not
secret conference or commission, and should
have large representation from this govern
ment and those with which We maintain diplo-
matte relations The proceedings should be
published the same as the proceedings of con-
gress It would thus become a great educa-
uonsI agency for the enlightenment of the peo-
pie of all countries on the subject. The
United States representatives should be ap-
pointed by the president of the Senate and
speaker of the House at least seven by each, not
more than four of which members should be of
the same political party, and who should repre-
sent the different shades of opinion on the sub
tect 1t might be well also to authorize the
secretary OF state and the director of the mint
to act also as United States representatives. The
president should be authorized to invite govern
msnts to send representatives, and should in
form the other governments that the United
states earnestly desires to secure Uniform sys-
TEN Of coinage, weights and measures to be
adopted thereafter by all commercial nations.
In order To facilitate the exchange of commodi-
ties and simplify monetary transactions. and
also the United States desires an international
agreement regarding the relations to be main
tanned between gold and silver.
The attention of all governments should he
called to the great advantage accruing from the
adoption OF such uniform systems, aud in the
event that no conclusion is reached, the law
making power of the United States will feel at
liberty 10 adopt such measures in reference to
the subject named as will be conducive TO the
welfare OF the people of this country The
United states secretary of state should be
authorized 10 make proper provisions for the
holding OF such congress. the latter to make its
own rules and elect its own officers.
IL international agreements could be secured
upon the subjects mentioned which meet the
approval IF even some OF the leading nations of
the earth, ii would be the greSiest thing OF the
century. Should they not be secured, the edp
cation upon the subject resulting from nublie,.
tion o! the proceedings would enable our own
congress, when it assemblies in lsgG, to reach a
conclusion upon the subject OF silver coinage
that would best promote the interests OF our own
people.
The convention would undoubtedly be com.
posed OF the ablest iuAnciers and statesmen of
the word, and It's discussion would bring to
bear upon the subjects before congress the ex.
a
vention has never been held, and the necessity
for uniformity upon the subjects mentioned
Will never be more strikingly illustrated than a,
the Words fair. There will be represented tha
products snd people of all civilized nations hut
IN the midst Of all their productions there will
lie confusion or tongues with reference 20 ,ha
values Of their products and the weights and
measures by which they are 10 be exchanged
The world is getting nearer together every
uAF with steam raViQEfinn FHttxravs
and cable lines, and is fast becoming one great
family, and is business aud monetary transac.
lions should be keps in one tongue and by one
STANDARD. The Democratic party is the nsrtv ~
the people. believing in meeting. discussing
ana setting every question after the fullest nos,
sibIe discussion upon such q basis As best CON
serves the best interests Of the people IL i. OF
the utmost importance that when the silver
question is settled that it be settled rightly
All Will eoncece that an International ssree-
nent IS the best settlement OF the silver cues
tiou. We should make q determined effort 70
secure such uniformity. Falling, we vii. De
justified in acting Tor ourselves in the manner
best calculated TO present our separate inter.
esfs"
Senator Carlisle, of Kentucky, has given
the subject profound thought. In an in
teryiew upon the subject he said:
An International congress for the solution Of
iae sAfes question is, thiEk, the only prse-
teal thing that can be done az this time of
course, sgitation OF the question can go on for
an indefinite time without accomplishing prac-
teal results, but If q monetary conference can
agree upon some plan which would receive the
approval OF the countries inrerested, the whole
question may be satisfactorily settled. The agf-
iation nov gsing on is doing harm ali the time,