The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-07
.W0LCOTT' 'SMISSION
Little Chance of It's Being Sue
, cessful.
THE COLORADO SENATOR'S PLUCK.
Silver and Antisilver Wings Of the Re-
publican Party-The Hope OF . Recon
eiliation--Democratio Leaders Are Also
Looking For. Harmony In Their Party.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Leaders Arc Also
Looking For. Harmony In Their Party.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-[Special. THE
| visit of Senator Wolcott Of Colorado to
| London for the purpose Of sounding the
English government concerning Its will
| ingness to participate In another interna-
tional monetary conference has attracted
q great deal of attention. MIR. Wolcott
goes with quasi authority from the presi-
| dent elect and also as the representative of
a committee of senators appointed to deal
| with the subject of international bimetal-
lism. No better agent could have been
found Mr.. Wolcott Is popular In London.
During former visits to that metropolis he
received great deal of social attention
from big people. He Is big, handsome,
witty, genial, genuine American and
yet man of the world. have heard that
in London neither wealth nor rank nor
even fame Is an open sesame to high soci-
ety's doors, but that wit, humor, adapta-
bility to the surroundings, power to please
and amuse are the magic wands which
gain access to the charmed circle. If this
is true. no one need wonder why Mr.. VOL
cott is a favorite in high London society.
Wolcott's Chances.
While in London q year ago Mr.. Wolcott
was taken up and made much of by the
international bimetallists and other i'm
Iortant people. His eloquent champion
ship of the silver cause had won their ad-
miration, and the bearing OF the man him
self backed up their first impression. In
this way Mr.. Wolcott was able to gain a
status in London which few Americans
enjoy. He may now be able to turn his
popularity there to good account His
heart Is in the work. He is determined to
leave no stone unturned to bring about
another international monetary confer
ence, with a possibility of something being
done toward the rehabilitation of silver as
one of the worlds money metals.
1t must be confessed at the outset, how
ever, that, SO far as the opinion Of men
whose opinions are of value is concerned,
there is little or no likelihood of Mr. VOL
cott being successful There is not the
slightest sign discoverable to those who
know English conditions and tendencies
very we'll of any intention on the part of
the ruling elements of that country to de-
part In the least from their traditional pol
icy Of adhering rigidly to the gold stand
ard. There are bimetallists in England,
as In every country. They are able, ear
nest, influential men; they publish many
speeches. they agitate continually and en-
ergetically. But they confront a stone
wall of determination, stone wall that
seems to be az stohd and unmovable as
mountain.
OF M omentous Consequences.
There will be something pathetic in Mr..
Wolcott's failure on this daring mission, IL
he is indeed to fail. His political future
depends upon it. II he can get foothold
for international bimetallism, tho slender
est sort of thread to hang upon, it will
mean much to him. 1t will mean, per-
haps, just the difference between political
and professional ruin and success in his
chosen home in the far west During the
last campaign Mr.. Wolcott made daring
fight against overwhelming odds in his
state. Even those who do not stand with
him are compelled to admire the intrepid
ity, even the audaciousness, with which he
made the fight for the gold standard presi.
Dental ticket among the silver loving peo-
pie of Colorado Mr.. Wolcott does not
hope to secure reelection to the senate. At
the expiration of his present term. four
years hence, he counts upon nothing else
than defeat. And yet great changes in
public opinion may come within that
time They will surely come if MIR. VOL
colt can be the instrument by which an
other international monetary conference
shall be brought about. Even should that
conference result in nothing, even IL 1t
should fail to advance the cause of silver
q single inch, the effect would be favor
able upon the senator's political future.
Let no one imagine that personal ambi-
tions are the only things that now play q
part in this international bimetallic effort.
am able to tell something of what Is 60
ing on behind the scenes. In the secrecy
of their cloakrooms the Republican leaders
of the senate and house are laying plans
for reuniting their party They foresee al
ready that enactment of q new tariff law
| Is likely to place their party upon the de-
fensive in 1900. They will be subject to
attack all along the line and they are very
likely to find themselves confronted by q
harmonious and stealthG foe. Unless they
can bring about some measure of reconcil-
iation between the silver and antisilver
wings of the Republican party their pros
poets In the next presidential struggle may
not be very bright. There is hope among
them that international bimetallism, or at
least an effort to secure 1t, may prove to
be the talisman Of peace.
Plays For Harmony.
Whether or not there is any substantial
basis for this hope remains to be seen. So
far as l am concerned, l am utterly unable
to see what good 1t Is going todo But the
men who are engineering the movement
think they can see great possibilities for 1t
in the way of satisfying the friends of sill
YER that the Republican party Is their
friend and that it Is trying its best to ac-
oomplish a revolution In silver's interest.
At the same time the Democratic leaders
are playing n similar game, though with
different tools. They, too, are trying to
harmonic their party for future action.
They have better instrument at the pros.
ent moment than the Republicans The
Democratic spirit of the hour, as we catch
It here In Washington, Is to unite In oppo.
sition to the Republican tariff policy,
mako the Republicans responsible for the
effort to bring prosperity back to the coun.
cry, and IL they fail therein to pillory them
before the people The Democratic party
has won all its successes In recent years
with Just such tactics.
A greet deal Of progress has been made
with this part OF tho Democratic plan. As
~ tho n,,blo,o,,,o ellx,o~