The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-01-11
THE SILVER QUESTION.
1t is q subject Of tho Liveliest Intere.
at WaShiuoton

1t is q Subject Of the Liveliest Interest
at Washington.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.-The silver
question as a legislative issue is once
more awak ening the liveliest apprehen-
sions Of both parties at the national CAPT.
tai the past few days. This is a topic of
more discussion than tariff reform, but
there is suddenly manifested among the
Democratic leaders a disposition to pre-
vent the silver question reaching the dig
nifty of paramount issue to prejudice
tariff reform. 1t is said that measures
viii be taken to stamp the financial cues
tion as secondary issue.
Representative Springer of Illinois,
Senator Carlisle of Kentucky, Senator
Palmer of Illinois and Representative
O. Neill of Missouri, are a few prom
lnent Democrats said to believe that the
best solution of the silver question lies in
an international agreement, and will
favor bill now being prepared for the
RELOCATION Of the question to an interna-
tionaI congress to be held in Chicago in
1893. Such disposition of the question
10y Congress would, of course, prevent
the silver question becoming a harass-
ing issue in the coming campaign, and
enable the fierce political battle of 1893 to
be fought upon the burning issues of
tariff reform.
Regarding the course he thought should
he pursued by the Democratic party at
this Congress on the question Represen-
tative Springer tonight told an Associ-
ated Press reporter: 1.-The course have
heretofore pursued is well known. / am
q bimetallist and can't support any policy
which would relegate silver to the rear or
eliminate it from politics. On the con-
trary l would make it a great national
and international question, and ] would
set it upon lines as broad as possible and
Of no II II
be next to impossible for both houses to
agree upon Il 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 direction the President stands
ready to interpose a veto. Hence no
legislation on this subject, however dCs,r-
able, can be attained. The situation
carries, then, to March 4. 1888, when the
present Congress expires by limitation of
law. The next Congress, elected Novem-
her 18th, will not assemble till December
1888. This is the earliest time possible to
enter upon consideration of measures
which may thereafter be enacted regard
ing the coinage OF silver.
''Can anything be done in the meantime
to enable Congress TO reach a proper con-
clusion on the silver question when the
time arrives at which the practicable leg
iSlation may be entered upon?"
This, it seems to me, is practicable
question for the consideration of the pres
ent Congress. This Congress could pass
an Act authorizing the assembling of a
international Money Congress, whose
object would be to formulate the subject
to the approval OF the countries REPRE-
sented, q uniform monetary system. and
fix the relations which gold or silver
should bear to each other. 1t seems most
appropriate that this International Con-
Press should be held in Chicago during
the Worlds Fair. 1t should be q con-
gress, not a secret conference or commits
sion, and should have large representa-
ton with this Government and those with
which we maintain diplomatic relations
The proceedings should be published the
same as the proceedings of Congress. It
would thus become a great educational
agency for the enlightenment of the peo-
pie of all countries on the subject. The
United States representatives should be
appointed by the President. Senate and
Speaker at least seven by each, not
more than four of whom shall be MEM
bers of the same political party. and
who should represent the different shades
Of opinion on the subject. 1t might be
we'll. also. to authorize The Secretary of
State and the Director of the Mint to act
also as United States representatives.
rrhe President should be authorized to
invite the Governments 10 send repre-
sentstiyes. and should inform the other
Governments. The United states earn
estly desires 10 secure uniform system
Of coinage, weights and measures, To be
adopted thereafter by all commercial ma
tons, in order to facilitate the exchange
Of commodities and simplify monetary
transactions; the United States desires an
international agreement regarding the
relations to be maintained between gold
and silver. The attention of all Govern
mentS should be called to its great adFan-
tage accruing from the adoption of such
uniform systems, and in the event that
no conclusion is reached a law should be
passed making it in the power of the
United States to adopt such measures in
reference to the subjects named as
is most conducive to the welfare of the
people of this country. If an international
agreement could be secured upon