The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-18
WORK PROBABLY WASTED.
The Monetary Conference Resolution
Dangerously DETECTIVES.

Special to che Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, March 17.-Attention has
on several occasions been directed to the
curious wording of the resolution under
which the Senate and the House appointed
three delegates each to represent them
at any possible monetary conference that
might be called and authorized the Pres
idcnt to appoint three delegates himself.
The resolution reads as follows:
..That whenever the President of the
United States shall! determine that the
Unfed States should be represented at any
internat.onal conference, called with a view
tive value between gold and silver as money
by means of a common ratio between those
metals, WITH free mintage at such ratio,
such conference by nine delegates"
There has been recently repeated a sug-
gestion that the wording of the resolution
is dangerously defective. Your correspond
emit to-day sought out Representative Gull
berson, of Texas, the chairman of the judic-
larry of the last House and a
jurist of acknowledged reputation. Mr.. Gull
berson is one of the delegates to repre-
sent the House. He admitted that he him
self felt some misgivings as to the strength
Of the resolution and that he had on that
account given it careful consideration. IF
you will read the resolution carefully"
said Mr.. Cuiberson, you will observe that
it authorizes the President to- determine
whether the United States should be repre-
scented in an international conference called
for the purpose of securing a fixed relative
value between gold and silver as money by
means of a common ratio with free COIN
age mintage at such ratio. The Congress
of the United States thus determined that
IL a conference was called which had for
its purpose the establishment of the rela-
tive value between gold and silver by means
nf a 0nmnnr ru ffn with frQa CHINA a IN
both metals, the President should determine
whether the United States should be rep
resented. The President is not authorized
TO determine whether the United States
shall be represented at a monetary confer
eaii s faa,ed e Tor any 9g,. o.nep pnr ar1 on ~ a
ence to extend the use of silver In the
currency OF nations there would seem to
he no authority for the President TO act.
If the call should be made for the purpose
of considering the evils that arise from
silver and what should be done to remove
these evils il seems equally plain that the
President is without authority to act. This
provision was inserted in an appropriation
bll in the closing hours of Congress. Few
members understood its import or even
its terms. The basis on which the confer
ence should come to an agreement is fixed.
The value between gold and silver must
be fixed by q common ratio and with free
that this act of Congress left nothing 10
the discretion Of the conference but the
establishment of a common ratio. This is
bimetailism. pure and simple No discre-
ton is left To the President and to the
representatives at such a conference
rs IL likely, in view OF the provisions
of the act. that any conference will be
called for the purpose contemplated by the
law
This action of Congress was doubtless
inspired by the action of the English Par
lament and the action of France and Ger
many" continued Mr.. Calberson. THE
resolution passed by the House of Commons
on the 9th OF February provides that this
House regards with increasing apprehen-
sion the constant fuct,lation in the reia-
tive value between gold and silver and
heartily concurs in taa recent expressions
Of opinion on the part Of the government
of France and the govern nent of Germany
as to the seriou evils resulting therefrom.
1t therefore urges on her Majesty's govern
ment the desirability OF cooperating with
other powers in an International confer
ence for the purpose of considering what
measures can be taken TO remove or nil
fgafe these evils.
Now. what does that resolution mean p,
asked MIR. cuiberson. 1T was adopted with
out division and after a prolonged de-
bate. During this debate, as reported in
the London Standard of the 9th OF Feb
ruary. the Chancellor of the ExchequeY
made AIN extensive speech defining the
meaning Of the resolution and the attitude
az the government OF Great Britain 10 the
subject involved Among other things he
said The government OF the United States
In proposing q conference Brussels) ex-
dressed q wish to her Mnjesty's goverg-