The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-15
THE INTELLlGENCER.
wnEELINe, NOVEMBER IS, 1897.
senator EILlnr op.lml.m.

senator EIkIns, Optimism.
In an interview published In the New
York Mail and Express Senator Elkins
takes cheerful view of the situation in
the country both politically and Indus
trlally. Mr.. ElkIns sees nothing in the
future to fear. The prompt action of the
Republican party in carrying out Its
platform pledges, the revival of business,
the Kloudike gold discoveries and other
events he believes, have contributed to
lessen the danger of further agitation of
the silver question which was such a
disturbing factor In the business world.
There are now left but two questions
OF serious moment to be settled-the Gu
ban question and legislation In the dIrec-
tlon OF reform in the currency system.
The latter question Mr.. EllSins does not
expect to see settled finally this winter.
probably baslng his opinion on the close
ness of the senate as at present consti-
tuted The Cuban problem is rapidly
reaching the point of solution by the
change of policy on the part of Spain and
the attitude of the administration at
Washington in behalf OF mere humane
conduct of the war,
Speaking of the necessity of currency
reform, Senator Elkins says:
81 doubt whether 1t Is possible to pass
a substantial measure through the SEN
ate this session, but If this country needs
anything It Is currency reform. We have
nine kinds OF money, four Of which are
legal tender and five are not This con-
ditlon creates confusion, and all reason
able men must agree that 1t should be
remedied. have great confidence in the
monetary commission now in session,
and feel that It's conclusions will be
very helpful in the proper solution of the
problem"
A very interesting feature of Mr.. FL
klns' talk relates to the pending negotia-
tons between Premier Laurier, of Cana
da, and the state department for sell
Element of the questions at issue between
the two countries. Asked for an express
sion regarding them, the senator says:
II notice that Sir Charles Upper said
yesterday at Vancouver that the people
OF the United States are trying to coerce
Canada" said Senator Elkins, but We
do not want Canada any more than we
want Cuba. am opposed TO acquisition
north or south. We have all the terri
tory now, It seems to me, that we can
wisely govern. Sir Wllfrfd Laurier has
the confidence OF his government and Is
an able man, but he comes here at the
eleventh hour TO be heard not only on the
sealing question, but he also wants TO-
bring before our government the ques-
ton OF reciprocity Klondike regulations,
allen labor laws and the bonding priVi-
leges enjoyed by the Canadian Pacific.
"All the questions can and should be
settled, but Canadian craftsmanship
seeks to have them settled mainly In the
interests OF Canadian people, one of the
irritations Of Canada just now Is the fact
that under the Wilson law Canadian
white pine almost entirely stopped the
sale OF American spruce In many parts
OF this country, while under the present
tariff situation It il exactly the reverse.
the result being that spruce lands In
West Virginia alone, for instance, have
increased in Value from 50 to 50 an acre.
II would like 10 see better trade rela-
lions with Canada, but on basis Just to
the United States; and 1 hope that this
can be brought about under present ne
gotiahons at Washington. have no
prejudices against Canada or England.
] admire the craftsmanship of both. /
have no fears OF Canadas becoming 30
offended at our tariff that her people Will
trade with England against their inter-
ests. My idea is that the United States
should look to her own interests and
protect them. and let Canada and Eng
land take any course they please. We
should at once cancel all bonding prlyI-
leges az least wcet Of the 500, for the
reasons stated. The Canadian Pacific
Just nov Is the interest that CANADA
wants to protect and preserve above all
others"
As Is usual with Senator Elkins, he
considers these matters from the stand
point OF the business man rather than Of
the politician, looking to the material In
terosts Of the country that are involved
IN the international complications with
Canada All will agree with him that
there should be no sacrifice Of American
interests In our dealings with Canada,
There is not likely to be any such sacrI-
ilcc however, while President Mckinley
10 In the white house