Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-12-14
Recommends a Confirmation.
As to BimetanIc Agreement.


gress approved March g. 1897, for the pro-
motion of an international agreement re-
specting bimetallism, l appointed on the
18th day of April. 1897, the Hon. Edward
o. Wolcott of Colorado, the Hon. Adlai
T.. Stevenson of Illinois and the Hon.
Charles j. Paine of Massachusetts as spe-
clay ENJOYS to represent the United
States. They have been dilgent In their
efforts to secure the cooperation of
European countries in the international
settlement of the question, but up to this
time have not been able to secure an
agreement contemplated by their mission
The gratifying action of our great sis
ter republic of France in joining this
country in the attempt to bring about an
agreement among the principal commercial
nations of Europe whereby fixed and
relative value between gold and silver
shall be secured furnishes assurance that
We are not alone among the larger ma
tions of the world in realizing the inter-
national character OF the problem and in
the desire of reaching some wise and
practical solution of it.
The British government has published
resume of the steps taken jointly by the
French ambassador in London and the
special ENJOYS of the United States, with
whom our ambassador at London fctively
co-operated in the presentation of this
subject to her majesty's government. This
will be laid before congress. Our special
ENJOYS have not made their final report,
as further negotiations between the rep
resentatives of this government and the
governments of other countries are pend
ing and in contemplation They believe
that doubts which have been raised in
certain quarters respecting the position
of maintaining the stability of the parity
between the metals and kindred ques-
tons may yet be solved by further ne
gotiations.
Meanwhile 1t gives me satisfaction to
state that the special ENJOYS have al
ready demonstrated their ability and fit
ness to deal with the subject. and it is
to be earnestly hoped that their labors
may result in an international agreement
which will bring about the recognition Of
both gold and silver as money upon such
terms and with such safeguards as will
secure the use of both metals upon a
basis which shall work no injustice to
any class of our citizens.
Work on Revenue Provisions.
In order to execute as early as possible
the provisions of the third and fourth sec
tions of the revenue act approved July "a,
1897, / appointed the Hon. John A. Kas-
son of Iowa a special commissioner plen-
ipotentiary to undertake the requisite ne
gotiations with foreign countries desir-
ing to avail themselves of these provis-
ions. The negotiations are now proceed
ing with several governments, both Eur
opean and American.
1t Is believed that by a careful exercise
of the powers conferred by that act some
grievances Of our own and of other coun-
tries in our mutual trade relations may
be either removed or largely alleviated,
and that the volume OF our commercial
exchanges may be enlarged. with advant-
age to both contracting parties. Most de-
sirable from every standpoint of national
interest and patriotism is the effort to ex-
tend our foreign commerce. To this end
our merchant marine should be improved
and enlarged. We should do our full
share of the carrying trade of the world.
We do not do II now. We should he the
lager no longer. The inferiority Of our
merchant marine is justly humiliating to
the national pride. The government by
every proper constitutional means should
aid in making our ships familiar visitors
at every commercial port of the world,
thus opening up new and valuable mar
kets to the surplus products of The farm
and the factory.
Protection OF the Fur Seals.
The efforts which had been made dur
ing the two previous years by my prede-
cessor TO secure better protection to the
tuF seals III the north racine ocean ana
Bering sea were renewed at an early date
by this administration, and have been
pursued with earnestness. Upon my invi-
tation the governments of Japan and
Russia sent delegates to Washington ard
an international conference was held dur
ing the months of October and November
last, wherein IL was unanimously agreed
that under the existing regulations this
species of useful animals was threateled
with extinction, and that an international
agreement of all the interested pow ers
was necessary for their adequate protec-
ton.
The government of Great Britain did
not see proper to- be represented at this
conference, but subsequently sent to
Washington, as delegates, the expert COM
missioners of Great Britain and Canada,
who had during the past two years, Wis
tied the Pribilof islands and who met
i'm conference similar commissioners on
the part Of the United States. The result
of this conference was an agreement on
important facts connected with the con-
dition OF the seal herd heretofore in
dispute which should place beyond con
troversy the duty of the governments
concerned TO adopt measures without de-
lay for the preservation and restoration
Of the herd. Negotiations TO this end are
now In progress the result Of which