The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-04-20
THE BIMErALLIC COMMISSION.
How the Appointments by the President
are Received at Home and Abroad-Thc
Scope of the Work of the Commission.

Scope of the Work of tie Commission.
If three commissioners by President
Mckinley under the act OF the last
congress to promote bineiallism was
tho subject OF considerable discussion
about the capitol today. Almost with
ont exception. the selections were COM
mended- Senators. regardless OF party.
were pleased with the selection Of ex-
Vice President Stevenson. II appears
that this selection was the presidents
own. no one appearing to urge his ap-
pointrnent- The president desired a
democrat who stood high in his party
and who was an earnest silver man.
He sent for Mr.. Stevenson and after
talking the subject over with him. de-
cided to make him a member of the
commission. President Mckinley de-
sired that the subject OF international
bimetaliism should be lifted above par
~ politics and that the men selected
should be those who would work in
harmony toward bringing about an
agreement. 1t was also believed by
the president that the name Of Mr..
Stevenson would give the commission
great weight abroad.
Opposition TO the scheme for internal
tional bimetallism has developed from
an unexpected source. Morton Frewen,
Of England, who has given a great deal
OF attention to the subject and who
has visited this country several times
IN the interest of silver. is now oppos-
ing an nternationa agreement and de-
clares that the money question is one
which each nation must settle for it
self. He will oppose any agreement
and use his influence against the new
commission when it goes abroad.
Senator Wolcott said today that gold
standard countries would oppose any
further depreciation of silver and that
efforts were now being made to prevent
any further fall of silver in India, also
that the demand for gold by Japan in
establishing a gold standard. would
cause a drain of gold from Europe
which would be resisted by gold coun-
tries. In the United states Senator
WolcOtt anticipates little opposition to
bimetallism. What opposition there is,
he says, comes from the German bank
ers of New York, who are already
! fighting bimetallism and whose oppo-
SitiOn the commission Will meet when it
goes to Europe.
Senator Wolcott said today that gold
there appears to be a mistaken impress
sion that the commission is appointed
with the purpose in view of having it
represent the United States at a con-
ference only. While the commission
might be utilized in that way, if a con
ference should be held, it first work is
to be of a purely diplomatic character,
looking entirely to securing European
cooperation. Whether there shall be
a conference at all will all depend upon
how the advances of the commissioner
are received by the principal powers.
London, April 18th appointment
of Senator +. O. Wolcott, of Colorado;
the Hon. Charles j. Payne, of Boston,
and eX-Vice President Stevenson as
commissioners to an international mon
etary conference, under the act APP
proved on March Sd last, for the promo
ton of an international agreement for
bimetallism" has been received with
the greatest satisfaction by the London
bimetallists, who anticipate solid prog
ress through their efforts. although
Mr.. Stevenson is unknown here as a
monetary expert.
Bloomington, Ills. April 13.-EX-
Vice President Stevenson said today
when questioned about his appoint
ment on the commission for the pros
motion of an international agreement:
Il appreciate the compliment paid to
me by the president and will cheerfully
render what assistance 1 can to &C
complish the object Of the commission
/ am a bimetallist. | regard the res
t~OratiOn of silver to its proper money
function as the supreme question in
our ountry and throughout the world.
The Importance of the question cannot
be overstated. In this country the in
crease in the volume Of business Is
beyond computation. in the light Of
these facts the rehabilitation of silver
is a prime necessity. Should its de-
mOnetizatiOn become the settled policy
the evil days upon which we have fall
en- but dimly f~oreshadOW consequences
yet to come. Whatever our views may
be as to the ability of our government
to maintain the free and
coinage of silver without the co-opera-
ton of the leading countries Of Eu-
rope, it may be safely ssumed thai
every friend of silver in our country
will welcome international bimetallism
AS to the inpossibility Of the success
Of his commission, ii is known that
the trend of public sentiment in Euro
pean countries, as We'll as our own, j.
undoubtedly favorable to bimetallism
Many Of the publicists of England and
Germany are in earnest accord witt
our government upon this question
should sentiment in those countrie:
justify, an international conference
would undoubtedly be called and ac-
ton taken that would be deemed
prope