Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1897-07-09
FOR BIMETALLISM.
DUTY OF THE COMMISSION NAMED ~
THE PRESIDENT.

DUTY or THE COMMISSION NAMED ~
THE PRESIDENT.
NJ Enbrts WIN 10 Directed Toward Ar
ranging . Conference of the Powers.
Attitude Of France aud Gsrna.y-Ene-
lands Position.
The bimetallic commission 1ust an
,ounced by the president should not be
COMPOUNDED with the American repre-
,entation in an International conference,
if such conference should be secured.
The present duty Of the commission is
simply to promote conference Our
regular diplomatic representatives to
The leading powers are charged with
The duty Of seeking the assent Of these
powers to the call They are the pri-
mary, agents In the work Of negotiation.
The members Of the commission arg
uamed to aid them in that object
II through its efforts conference
should be arranged and called it il
probable that the three members Of the
commission would be delegateA But
they would not be all The law which
authorizes the president to call con-
ference empowers him to appoint five
or more commissioners He would,
therefore, name at least two additional
commissioners who would represent the
United States On the main question and
would name them for that distinct pur-
pose instead Of for the present and pre-
liminary duty Of aiding our embassa-
dors in bringing about the assent In
choosing the two additional commits
sioners, II the occasion should ever come
to name them, the president would
doubtless aim to strengthen the commits
sion and to give 1t adequate weight in
the counsels Of the nations. ~
In estimating the commission this
distinction between the present and
partial body and the final and complete
representation must be remembered
The choice Of Senator Wolcott will be
universally commended. He has already
made q preliminary tour Of the leading
European capitals and come into asso-
citation with the chief public men Of
England, France and Germany on the
subject It ia understood that he returns
with u large degree Of confidence in the
possibility Of securing conference, and
with no little hope even Of an ultimate
agreement. He is an enthusiast on in
ternational bimetallism-an able man
of most engaging qualities, who has a
signal faculty Of impressing himself
upon others and who enlists in this
work not only with strong convictions,
but with q high personal and political
stake. He will be the master spirit, and
nothing Of zeal or ability, SO far as one
man can furnish them, will be lacking
for the prosecution Of the cause.
His associates will not make the same
impression. The president has evidently
felt that 1t would be wise to name q
Democrat, and one who 10 friendly to
bimetallism. This purpose was wisely
conceived, but unfortunately the mate
rial for its execution was limited Had
such aaman as William G. Whitney been
available the selection would have in
spired confidence. He believes in inter-
national bimetallism, but he is also de-
voted to sound money and is trusted by
the business elements of the country. It
is understood that the president desired
him to serve, but he declined the mis-
sion. Perhaps ex-vice President Steven
son was the best the president could
find, but the trouble with him is that
he has neither convictions nor equip
ment ON the subject He has played
fast and loose with the money question.
and when his party swallowed Bryan
ism he swallowed it also and declared
himself ready for the free coinage Of
silver without International agreement.
It is said that General Paine is sound
money man with an inclination toward
bimetallism based on international
agreement, but he has not been conspic.
uously identified with the question. 1t
appears that be accompanied Senator
Wolcott on his recent tour and was
doubtless designated at his recommen-
dation H..
Should an international conference
be called, the president would be ex
pected to complete the commission with
men who will enhance its weight and
its ability. With the active initiative
and effort Of the United States it should
not be difficult to secure the conference.
France is ready for it, and Germany il
not likely to be averse to meeting.
England will probably assent, with no
expectation Of results and with no viii
lingness to modify her position. But the
meeting Of q conference is one thing
and an agreement for joint action 10 an
other. Should it be called and then
prove abortive the government Of the
United States will at least have demon
strated its desire to do something in this
direction and will have made plain to
the people Of this country the attitude Of
Tho GREAT natinna -Phi1af1plnhia Proaa