Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-27
COMMISSIONERS ATTITUDE
No Intention to Dictate to Con-
gress
Object Of Those Who Are Consislerinr
the Currency Situation Here
In 10 Advise or Petition.

The monetary commission will resume its
sessions at the Arlington Hotel tonight a
meeting today having been rendered i'm
possible by the absence of some Of the
members.
Some Of the members of the commission
are disturbed over the impression which
they say seems to have gone abroad In GER
tain quarters that the work of the COM
mission in trying to formulate a currency
system is an assumption of the duties de-
volving upon Congress. It is claimed that
the whole spirit of the organization and
conduct of the commission Is in direct cp-
position to such an impression. The mon
etary commission is not trying to arrogate
to itself any Of the rights, powers or du-
ties of Congress.
A simple illustration of its position. 1t is
said, is afforded by the attitude of a con-
CHEESEMAN'S constituents toward him. A
congressman is usually glad to know what
his constituents want, and will listen with
attention to the expression of their desires.
II they should attempt. however, to die
tate to him just what he should do I'm Con-
gress. or how he should go about it. he
would probably not be so patient listener.
This commission proposes to express to
Congress the wishes Of a portion Of the
constituents of every congressman, that
Congress may know what they want.
Therefore, 1t is claimed the work Of the
commission cannot Dy any means De con-
strued as dictatorial, but only as explana-
tory of the wishes of the people This
commission was organized by authority Of
delegates from boards of trade in every
city of magnitude in this country. There
were three hundred delegates-manufac-
turers merchants, railroad men, lawyers,
bankers and business men generally-an1
they were supposed to represent the bust
ness circles of the cities from which they
were accredited.
They delegated to commission of eleven
members authority to prepare system Of
currency and financial reform to meet the
views Of all the elements represented. This
plan when formulated and ratified was to
be presented to Congress as measure full
filing the wishes of portion of the bsS-
mess community of this country.
1t is claimed by the members that Moth
ing in the labors of the commission should
be construed as disposition to dictate to
Congress, to tell congressman their duties
any more than a petition, the right of
which Is denied to no man. can be 50 con-
strued. The commissioners realize the OPP
position which will meet their recommen-
dations. but that does not alter the fact
They say, that the business men of the
have as much right to inform Con-
gress of what they desire as advocates of
free silver unlimited greenbacks.
If a gathering of politicians In convention
assembled adopted a platform declaring
for free silver, 1t is not construed as die
tating to Congress or usurping the powers
the consideration of the financial question.
Neither, therefore, they claim, should this
convention Of business men. who expect
through their subcommittee to adopt
financial platform be regarded in the light
OF usurpers of congressional prerogatives-