The San Francisco call., 1896-11-10
INTERNATIONAL BIMETALLIsM.

According to all reports from Europe the
chances for obtaining an international
agreement for the free coinage of silver
are decidedly good. The election of Nc
kinley has awakened a new confidence in
the bimetallists of all European countries,
and as result strong sentiment Is being
worked up in favor of cooperation among
the great powers 10 bring about a larger
use OF silver in the settlement of inter
national com merce.
Genuine bimetallists never favored the
election OF Mr.. Bryan, because they knew
that his success would put an end to all
hope of international bimetallism. The
free coinage of silver by This country alone
would have led to the export of gold to
Europe, and in consequence those nations
would have had all the gold they required
Tor theli uses and there would have been
no reason why they should show any favor
to silver. In the United States, on the
other hand. we having nothing but silver
would have been in no position to make
terms with the gold-using nations.
The first efforts of the Mckinley ad-
mlnistration will naturally be revision
OF the tariff in accordance with the princi
pies of protection. We must provide an
adequate revenue for the Government and
make the American market secure to the
American producer, so as to provide
abundant employment at good wages for
American labor before anything else.
That worK, however. will hardly require
much time. The House will be over.
whelmingly in favor OF protection, and
there is an assurance that the next Senate
will also have working majority in favor
Of the same principle. This will make
tariff revision comparatively easy task,
and the energies of the administration can
be directed toward carrying out he pledge
OF the party platform to promote the
much-desired International agreement fol
the free coinage of silver.
Major Mckinley is known to be genu-
inc bimetallist. The monetary plank in
the platform was in Its essence an epitome
OF his sentiments as expressed by his
speeches and his actions while member
OF Congress. He will therefore be as Presi.
dent in complete sympathy with the plat
form. The work OF bringing about an in
ternational agreement in accordance with
the party pledge will not be with him q
mere perfunctory observance. He can be
ali the ardor, energy and sagacity of his
nature. and he will have the hearty sup.
port of great majority OF Republicans in
both houses of Congress and throughout
the country.
1t would seem, moreover, that since the
bmetallic movement has revived in
Europe the President may have COM
paratiyely plain sailing before him in the
accomplishment of international agree
ment. There will, of course, be obstacles
in the way. There are many gold stand
ard men in this country who will combat
his efforts by every means in their power,
and there Is a strong conservatis m in
Europe which the Governments OF those
countries will hesitate TO antagonize.
Nevertheless the outlook is clearly prom
ising. Never has the chance of bringing
about international bimetalism been sc
good and never has there been Pre- j.
dent of the United States better fitted both
by training and sentiment and better sup
ported both by Congress and by the
| people TO undertake the task of leading
| the nations In the way of restoring silver
| to its full use as a MONETARY metal