The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1897-02-20

Probable Encct OF an InternarionsI
Conferences.

Conference.
The public appreciation of the selec-
lion OF Mr.. Gage for secretary OF the
treasury must give qualification TO Maj.
Mckinley. IL is so general and hearty
that MIR. Gage himself may also regard
II as a high compliment Rarely have
leading journals of both parties so gen.
orally expressed satisfaction at the
choice of n man for this peculiarly
difficult position. IL is true that the
union of Sound money" democrats with
republicans In tie direct or indirect
support of Maj. Mckinley renders IL
natural that sonnd financier of high
standing, great experience and eminent
ly qualified 10 represent the views Of
both parties so far as they agree should
be equally gratifying to both. Pos
sibly there is an especial note of re
joicing I'm the utteranccs of free traders
because they imagine that Mr.. Gage
may lean toward their wishes regarding
the tariff. But they may probably note
his own frank statement that il will
belong TO the president himself to
mark out the policy of his administra-
ton. There is nothing to indicate that
Mr.. Gage will find IL difficult TO accept
that policy heartily and without re-
serve.
Many journals express especial sat-
isfaction because the selection of Mr..
Gage removes oil possible doubt re-
garding the maintenance of the gold
standard. This it would II there were
doubt, but there is something not at
all creditable in the course OF some
journals which have persistently ex-
pressed doubts on that subject, and
imagine that, for the sake OF carry
ing through protective measure. the
president would be willing TO make
large concessions TO silver men. The
doubts were more discreditablc 10 them
than insulting TO Maj. Mckinley. whose
unequivocal statements have left moth
ing to be desired on that subject. He
was equally pledged by his party and
by his own continually repeated dec
larations during the campaign TO carry
out two great objects, one as much as
the other, sacrificing or sighting
neither, and he has been as certain
TO maintain the gold standard as to
protect home industry to the full ex-
tent of his power rs president. There
has not been at ony time n decent ex-
cusc for doubt regarding his purpose
on either subject.
The passing OF provision for mp
pointment of delegates TO an interna-
tional bimetallic conference is in en-
h,x x..ff 1a sN,.tf nf.,I.
purposes TO which Maj. Mckinley and
his party are pledged. Men who brush
aside every objection to that end with
the cheap assertion that nothing can
possibly be accomplished by such a
conference, and that no concert OF nc
ton with other nations would be in
the least beneficial IL IL could be eff
fected. are simply giving voice TO their
own prejudices. Whether anything can
be effected has get to be ascertained.
One thing is certain, that the United
States alone has been the sufficient bar
rier To cly serious consideration OF the
subject so long as IL has been trying
to lift the value OF silver all alone and
threatening TO open its minis to free
coinage of that metal. Now that II
has been settled by the people that
the United States will take no step in
that direction until the other great
nations are prepared TO bear their part,
the question goes before them on an
entirely new footing. What they may
be disposed to do, IL anything, can only
be ascertained by sober and careful in
quiry, having behind il the declared
policy OF the United States 20 main
tain the gold standard. II nothing can
be accomplished the people Of this coun-
try will know that the responsibility
rests not with their government, and,
whether the circumstances be wholly
evil for other countries or not, this
country will be in position TO maintain
it's own prosperity.-N. Y. Tribune.