New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-19
THE MONETARY EXPERTS.
WORK OF THE COMMISSION IN WASH
INGTON PRACTICALLY DONE.

APoLIs CONVENTION AND BROUGHT BE-
FORE CoNGRESs-MEMBERs OF
THE COMMISSION.
The Monetary Commission has been at work
In Washington now for about two months and
has nearly finished its work. This commission
was appointed by the great monetary convention
that met In Indianapolis last January to con-
slider plans for reforming the United States cur
rency on business basis and in accordance with
business ideas. 1t was proposed by II. II.
Hanna Of Indianapolis, that eleven members
should be appointed to work az the expense OK
the convention In investigating the financial
situation their conclusions to be put peIore
Congress for enactment into legislation, II possi-
BILE. An Executive Committee was appointed to
do the preliminary work, and last september
it announced that eleven men had accepted
invitations to act on the commission as follows:
Tx Senator George F. Edmunds. of Vermont;
ex Secretary Charles S. Fairchild. OF York;
Stuyyesant Fish of New York c. Stewart Patter-
son, Of Pennsylvania; T. G. Bush. Of Alabama;
J. W. Fries, Of North Carolina; w. b. Dean OF
Minnesota; George f. Leighton, OF Missouri;
Robert s. Taylor, OF Indiana; Louis A. Garnett,
OF California, and Professor J. Laurence Laugh
lin of the University Of Chicago
The commission began it's work on September
% when It held its first meeting at the Arling-
ton Hotel in Washington. Eek Senator Edmunds
was elected chairman. and Mr.. Leighton vice.
chairman Three principal committees were APP
pointed, on metallic currency, on demand obli-
cations Of the Government and on the banking
system.
The sessions have been held in Washington
| since the commission first met Many sug-
| gestions have been received from men prominent
in business and financial circles all over the
country, and have been duly dgested and con-
sidered The fact that the commission Is COM
posed Of men who represent all sections or the
country has obviated the necessity OF having
the body or any Of It's committees visit the vari-
Gus business centres. as at one time 1t was pro-
I'D should be done A circular issued to
bankers few days ago by Chairman h. H.
Hanna. Of the Executive Committee Of the con-
vention, asking them to unite in furthering tho
adoption of the commissions plan when pre-
seuted II 1t were found to be sound and salts
factory In its main points Another one was
sent TO insurance men and money brokers.
The commission finished its labors last week
A plan OF currency reform has been adopted for
presentation to Congress, In the hope OF It's
enactment The Executive Committee Of the Ind
ianapolis convention was clothed with full power
to receive the report ard take the necessary
steps for bringing 1t before Congress- but It has
been deemed advisable to reassemble the con-
vention Itself at INDIANAPOLIS to present The re-
port there In order that the delegates may DO
more deeply impressed with the importance OK
securing favorable action In Congress. me
commission has had assurances OF the strong
support Of business men all through Its deiiber-
atoms and Il considers the attitude OF leading
members Of Congress to be, on the whole. favor
ably inclined toward It's results The members
of the commission have worked hard and faitn'
fully without compensation, and solely from
high and patriotic motives. They VIII nave
done the country q great service IN CONSIDER
ing and formulating a plan OF reform. Whatever
ita fate and whatever the action Of Congress
may be they are deserving Of gratitude from all
who desire to see a difficult and delicate subject
In practical political economy thoughtfuily and
judiciously considered.
1t Is hardly fair to assume. Notwithstanding
all that has been said on the subject that Con-
gress will fail to act this session upon the CON-
missions recommendations. 1t Is true that body
has before il several matters OF wide public In
terest--the Hawaiian annexation treaty the en-
barrassing problem Of the recognition OF Cuban
belligerency with possibly more or less agita-
ton Of the proposition to construct the Mica
raeua Canal-measures OF great Importance. pos
sessing elements which bring them closer to the
hearts of the people thar great question less
generally understood. such as the reform OF the
currency which is nevertheless. a matter OF
more Importance to the American people than
the annexation Of Hawaii. a settlement Of the
rebellion in Cuba or even the construction OF
waterway across the Republic of Nicaragua
Thoughtful men OF both parties in the House