The Press., 1897-01-07
WaahIngton Letter.
Washington, Jan.

Washington. Jan. 4th, 1897.
 Senator Wolcott's trip to Europe in the interests of international bimetallism is being discussed with much interest, both by those who believe international bime- tallism to be tangible something which can be practically worked and by those who believe 1t to be what ex-Senator h. gals would call an ''irideecent dream" While Senator Wolcott carries no official credentials, 1t is believed that he goes, practically at the request of President elect Mckinley and of the caucus com mittee charged with the preparation of leRIslatIon in the interest of international bimetallism, of which he is chairman ,and 1t Is known that he goes at the request of the BImetallic League. These facts are not likely to be overlooked by Euro pean statesmen who he meets. There are several reasons why Senator Wolcott will receive a cordial welcome in England, not the least of which is the speech he made on the Venezuelan question at the last session of congress, which was re- printed or favorably commented upon by every paper of prominence in Great Brit tain. Most of the ultra-gold men agree with the ultTa-silverman, that Senator Wolcott's errand will be fruitless, but there are a number of conservatives who are firmly of the opinion that interna- tional bimetallism can and will be brought about, and some of these, like Senator Chandler, express the opinion that Eng land can even be persuaded to take the initiatory steps toward that end. No time Is set for Senator Wolcott's return, but 1t Is known that he will come back before this session of congress closes, as 1t Is on the programme for his congress to authorize the president to appoint dele gates to an international monetary con- ference.
 There is a very important political as- pect to Senator Wolcott's trip. In the opinion of some of the shrewdest politi- clans, the effect of his report may deter mine the control of the senate for years to come. It Is well known in political circles that Is was only the declaration of the St. Louis platform, pledging the re- publican party to make an energetic effort to secure international bimetallism, that kept eight or ten senators who are silver men themselves, and who represent silver constituencies from following the example set by Senator Teller and the other sena- tors who bolted the St. Louis convention. If Senator Wolcott brings back even a partially favorable report, these senators are expected to be satisfied to remain as they are, but suppose he reports interna- tional blmetallism to be an impossibility under existing eircumstancesP Then what will they doP Should they join the bolters the republicans would be in a decided minority in the senate for long time. A number of silver senators have agreed that every nomination of gold man to succeed a removed silver man sent to the senate shall be held up, and as the re- publicans have a direct personal interest in seeing this agreement carried out, it can be put down as reasonable certain that number of men now drawing off, clal salaries, by reason of having been nominated during the congressional re- cess, will cease to do so on the 3rd of March, because of the failure of the senate to confirm their nomination.
 What congress will do about Cuba is still to be seen, but the administration has Left nobody in doubt about It's posi- ton. It's latest act was to reinforce the naval and revenue marine vessels engaged In patrolllng the coast of Florida to stop flllibusters from going to Cuba, by ordering the cruiser Vesuvius and the dispatch boat Dolphin to proceed with all speed to join the patrol squadron. This isn't calculated to sooth the feeling of the friends of Cuba in congress who have all along been of the opinion that this government was unnecessarily active in its efforts to prevent fillibustering nor is 1t calculated to help those who have been working hard during the recess to bring the most fiery senators around to a con- servative view of the Cuban question. On the contrary, 1t is calculated to cause people to attach more importance Lo rumors cabled from Spain about Presi- dent Cleveland having promised his as- sistance to Spain, etc. Of course every body knows that this government Is bound by international law to use all proper precaution to prevent the depart ure of fillibustering expeditions, but many believe that 1t has been entirely too vigil lant in that respect.
 The house will this week take up and dispose of the Loud bill depriving novels and publications other than regular peri odicals and sample copies of newspapers of the privilege of being sent through the mail at pound rates, and will take up the Pacific Railroad funding bill which will be voted on after four days discussion. A hint has been dropped by a friend of Senator Sherman which has caused the belief that he has been "convinced" that he would rather be secretary of state under the coming administration than to to remain in the senate and be candidate for reelection.