Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-13
rEx-Speaker Crisp's Observations on
the Bimetallism Cause.
NO INTEREST In TILE SUBJECT THERE
Specu'ati as to His Position in
the Future.
OTHER VESTIGA AT 0 RS

Some observations Of ex-Speaker Crisp on
the subject of bimetallism in England, ca
bled to the American newspapers last week,
are the subject of comment in political cir
cles Mr.. Crisp is in England under cir
cumstances insuring him opportunity for
informing himself at first hand on public
questions His position here at home recon-
mends him to the attention of public men
there. He meets them not only on even but
on cordial terms. He has as much informa-
ton for them as they have for him. He Is
seeking information, and he gave an Asso-
ciated Press reporter in London last week
the benefit Of views he had thAn formed on
the silver question as affected by the atti-
tude of England.
No Interest in Bimctn1lism.
Mr.. Crisp frankly stated that, SO far as
he had been able to discover, the great con-
servative victory meant nothing for BIZ
metallism in England. The people did not
seem to be interested in the subject He
had nowhere found that they were demand
ing change of the money standard for the
realm. They were occupied with other
topics. In bimetallic circles proper great
claims were being made but Mr.. Crisp mad
been unable to verify them by inquiries
elsewhere. The whole expression was in
the key of dscouragement and plainly in
dicated that Mr.. Crisp had no hope of seeing
any change effected in silver's interest by
the presentation of the question in English
politics
The Admission Important.
This admission is regarded as important
Mr.. Crisp is advocate of free coinage
and his last public act before leaving the
country on this trip was to write letter
to a political meeting in Georgia renewing
his allegiance to the cause But, like other
prominent democrats training on that side,
ho has been hoping for international
agreement-or rather for an agreement
whereby England would assist in the re-
Mobilization of silver as a money metal
He has now found, by his own admission
and after an investigation conducted on
the ground, that nothing is to be expected
from England. He counts England out of
the undertaking.
Where Does This Leave Him:
Now, the question is asked, where does
this leave Mr. Crisp and these who stand
with him? Will they return home advo-
eating proceeding without England? That
is what the Bimetallic League of the
United States has all along been advocat-
ing. President Warner has from the first
insisted that it was idle to wait on Eng
1and that she would never consent to help
silver. Or will Mr.. Crisp and his associ-
ates modify their wishes and go in for
pOnty tnat, because OIL f1nS1anu Qnd1-
terable attitude, will stop short of free
coinage? And how far short OF free COIN
age could a policy be projected that would
result in unifyirg the democracy on the
silver question?
Other Investigators.
Mr.. Crisp is not the only American
statesman to personally investigate the sill
yer question in England this year. Both
democrats and republicans have made the
| trip, and beth sides, therefore, will be well
prepared to discuss it when Congress meets.
Senator-elect Bacon of Georgia and Sena-
tor Vest, among the free coinage demo-
Gratis, are the list, while Senator Gray
of Delaware and Senator Smith of New
Jersey have been gathering points for the
| sound money men. Senator Aldrich OF
Rhode Island and Senator Lodge of Massa-
| chusetts will give their party the benefit of
| their observations.
A Fair Presentation.
| At last, therefore, as many public men
| believe the cause of silver in this country
| is on the eve of fair and square presenta-
| ton. England's position, it is held, can
now almost definitely be stated. Leaders
| Of beth political parties have investigated
| the subject, and will be able to speak with
| something like authority. Silver leaders
| themselves admit that England is not to
| be expected to help the cause of free coin
| age. And so the matter is thought to be
| resolved into this Shall the United States
| not only without the aid of England, but
| with England's opposition well established
enter alone the policy of free silver
coinage?
The democratic friends of silver who will
meet here tomorrow will probably discuss
| this phase of the question, and what is
| said by them will be read with great in
tereSt.