The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-01-11
MONETARY CONGRESS
Agitation Of the Silver Prob
lem by Party Leaders.
Democratic Disposition to Postpone Con-
SideratiOn Of the Subject.
International Discussion During the World S
Fair AdYOC ted Views Of Sela-
tors and Representatives..
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

EdSL lew uh4S hLAS bOhlC HAS BCGu 6NUJCNA 70
discussion more than tariff reform. But
there is suddenly manifested among the
Democratic leaders disposition to prevent
the silver question reaching the dignity Of a
paramount issue to prejudice tariff reform.
1t is said measures will be taken to stamp
the financial question as q secondary issue.
Representative Springer of Illinois, Senator
Carlisle of Kentucky, Senator Palmer Of
Illinois and Representative O'Neill Of Massa-
chusetts are a few of the prominent Demo-
Gratis said to believe the best solution OF the
silver question lies in inIernati Onal agree
ment, and will favor bill now being pre-
pared for the relegatOn Of the question to
an international congress. to be held in
Chicago in 1893. Such disposition of the
question by Congress would, Of course, pre-
vent the silver question becoming a harass-
ing issue Of the coming campaign and en-
able the fierce political battle of 1892 to be
fought upon the burning issues of tariff re-
form.
DIFFICULTY OF PRESENT LEGISLATION.
Regard ing the course he thought should
be pursued by the Democratic party in this
Congress on the question, Representative
Spr niger tonight told an Associated Press
reporter: "1ne course l have heretofore
pursued is well known. | am bl-metalllst
and cannot support any policy which would
relegate silver 10 the rear or eliminate It
frrm politics. On the contrary, / would
make it a great national and international
Question and would set II 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 Congress, so far as silver is concerned?
II would be next TO impossible for both
Houses 10 agree upon a silver bill OF any
kind. Even should an agreement be reached
between the two Houses, securing free com
age or making more liberal provisions in
that direction, the President stands ready
to interpose a veto. Hence, no legislation
upon this subject, however desirable, can
be attained.
INTERNATIONAL QUESTION.
The situation carries the q@estion then
to March 1, 1898, when the present Congress
expires by limitation of law. The next
Congress, elected In November next. viii
not assemble till December, 1898. This is
the earliest time possible TO enter upon the
consideration Of measures which may
thereafter be enacted regarding the coinage
of silver Can anything be done in the
meantime to enable Congress TO reach a
pTOEeT conclusion on the silver question
when the time arrives at which pra ticabie
leg giSlati0n may be entered uponP This, It
seems 10 me, Is a practicable question for
Consideration by the present Congress. This
Congress could pass an act authorizing the
assembling Of an International Monetary
Congress, whose object would be TO fOrmu-
late, subject to the approval Of the countries
represented, uniform monetary system
and fix the relations which gold and silver
should bear TO each other. IL seems most
appropriate that this international Con-
gress be held IN Chicago during the Worlds
Fair Ii should be congress, not secret
conference or commission, aud should have
large representation by this Government
and those with which we maintain dIplo-
matte relations. The proceedings should be
published the same as the proceedings OF
Congress. 1t would thus become a great
educational agency for the enlightenment
OF The people of all countries on the subject
UNIFORM SYSTEM DESIRED.
United States representatives should be
appointed by the Pres dent, Senate and the
Speaker, at least seven by each, not more
than four OF whom are members Of the
same political party, aud who should repre-
sent different shades of opinion on the sub
ject. Il m,ght lie well, also, TO authorize
the Secretary OF State and Director Of the
Mint to act also as United States repre-
sentatiyes. The President should be author
lied 60 invite Governments to send repre-
sentatiyes and should Inform the other
Governments that the United States earn
eStly desires % secure a uniform system OF
coinage, weights and measures, to be
adopted thereafter by all commercial ma
tIons 10 order TO facilitate the exchange of
commodities and TO simplify monetary
transactions also; and that the United
States desires an international agreement
regarding the relations TO be main tanned be-
tween gold and silver The attention of all
Governments should also be called to the
aHN II ~ m
tlon Of such a uniform system, and in the
event OF no conclusion being reached, the
law-makiug power of the United States
will feel at liberty to adopt such measures
in reference to the subjects named as is
most conducive to the welfare Of the people
of this country. The United States Sec
retaTy Of State should be authorized to
make proper provisions Tor holding such
congress, the latter TO make its own rules
and elect its own officers.
BENEFICIAL RESULTS.
'If an international agreement could be
secured upon the subjects mentioned which
would meet the approval of even some OF
the leading nations Of the earth it would be
the greatest thing OF the century. Even
should they not be secured, the education
upon the subject resulting from the publi-
cation Ct the proceedings would enable our
own Congress, when II assemblies In 1898, to
reach a conclusion upon the subject Of silver
coinage that would best promote the inter-
ests Of our own people. The convention
would undoubtedly be composed Of the
ablest fnanciers and statesmen Of the
world, and its discussion would bring to
bear upon the subjects before the congress
the experience and the light Of the century.
Such convention has never been held, and
the necessity fOr uniformity upon the sub
jects mentioned Will never be moro strik-
ingly illustrated than at the Worlds Fair
There will be represented the products and
the peoples Of all civilized and even semi
civil nations. But in the midst Of all
their productions there will be a cOnfu-
sion OF tongues with reference to the value
of their products and the weghts and meas
ures by which they are to be exchanged.
UNIVERSAL INTERESTS.
"The world is getting nearer together
every day. With steam navigation, rail-
ways, the telegraph and cable lines, the
world is fast becoming one great family,
and its business and monetary transactions
should be kept in one tongue and
by one standard. The Democratic
party is the party Of the people, believing
In meeting, discussing and settling every
question after the fullest possible discus
81 on, upon such basis as will best conserve
the best interests of the people. 1t is Of the
utmost importance that when the silver
question is settled it be settled rightly. All
Will cOncede than an international agree
ment is the best settlement OF the silver
question. We should make a determined
effort to secure such uniformity. Failing
We will be justified In acting for ourselves
In the manner best for our separate in
teTests."
ONLY PRACTICAL SOLUTION.
Senator Carlisle SAID to a reporter: "An
International Congress Tor the solution of
the silver question is, l think, the only prac-
teal thing that can be done at this time.
or course the agitation of the question can
go on for an indefinite time without accom-
plishing practical results, but IL monetary
conference can agree upon some plan which
would receive the approval of the countries
interested, the whole question may be
satisfactorily settled. The agitation now
going on is doing harm ali the time, where
as the proposed plan might bring about a
satisfactory result