The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-14
LIFTED ABOVE PARTY.
THE INTERESTS OF BI-METALLIsM
ARE IN GOOD HANDS.
Selection Of the Commfssioners IL
Generally Approved-The Conn
mission to Go Abroad Next Month
Mr.. Stevenson Anticipates Fn-
vornbIe Results.


OF three commissioners by President Nc
kiniey under the act Of the last congress
TO promote bi-n7etailiSEa was the subject
OF considerable discussion about the capi-
toll today. Almost without exception the
selections were commended.
Senators. regardless or party, We're
pleased with the selection of ex-Viee
President Stevenson. It appears thas
this selection was the presidents own, no
one appearing TO urge his appointment
The president desired q Democrat VINO
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, decided to make him a
member of the commission. President
Mckinley desired that the subject of BIZ
metaIlism should be lifted above party
politics, and that the men selected should
be those who would work IN harmony to-
ward bringing about an agreement 1t was
also believed by the president that the
name OF Mr.. Stevenson would give the
commission weight abroad.
Among the earnest advocates OF the Sc
lection OF Mr. Paine We're Senators Hoar,
Allison and Chandler, all of whom talked
with the president on the subject and
recommended him as a man who would
aid materially the cause of bi-mefaliism.
1t has been generally conceded for some
time past that Senator Wolcott would be
one Oh the NOLiisilSckpHCAss ds HIS A0tN
work since the election has been in the
direction of bringing about an interna-
tional agreement. Senator Wolcott Is
very hopeful OF success. He looks for
ward TO hard work. but says from what
he learned while abroad last year he is
most sanguine of the results. Senator
Wolcott believes that in the selection OF
the commission, especially in naming
Mr. Stevenson, a silver man and who sup
ported Mr.. Bryan. President Mckinley has
convinced everybody that he is an earnest
bi-metallist. Bi-metallism at home and
abroad. he says, viii be promoted by this
selection.
Opposition to the scheme for information
al bi-ms tallism has developed from an I'M
expected source. Morton Frewen. of Eng
land. who has given a great deal or at
tention TO the subject and who has Wis
tied this country several times in the In
terest of silver, is now opposing an inter-
national agreement, and declares that the
money question Is one which each ma
ton must settle for itself Mr.. Frewen
will oppose any agreement and use his
influence against the new commission
when 1t goes abroad.
Senator Wolcott said today that the gold
standard countries would oppose any fur
Their depreciation of silver, and that efforts
are now being made to prevent any fur
Their fall OF silver in India. also that the
demand for gold In Japan in establishing
gold standard would cause a drain of
gold from Europe. which would be resist
ed by gold countries
Senator Wolcott anticipates little op-
position to bi-metallism. What oppose
ton there is, Mr.. Wolcott says, comes
from the German bankers OF New York.
who are already fighting bi-metalusm and
whose op position the commission will
meet when IL goes to Europe. Senator
Wolcott further said that there appears
to be a mistaken impression that the COM
mission is appointed with the purpose in
view OF having 1t represent the United
States at a conference only. While the
commission might be utilized In that way
L. conference should be held. its first
work IS to be OF q purely diplomatic char
acter. looking entirely to securing Euro
rean cooperation
The commission expects to leave this
country about the middle of May. and
upon arrival In Europe VIII set them
selves to that task. Whether there shall
be conference at all will depend upon
how the advances of the commissioners
are received by the principal powers.
The appointments inspired little COM
ment among the members of the house
who were at the capitol today. Chairman
Dingley. OF the ways and means commit
tee, said that the appointees were all
coed mea. This verdict was Endorsed by
al u lHG the hcpuO-
lican members were ayerse to ms king any
predictions as to the probability OF sue
ces with the European powers. It was
suggested that the European antagonism
to protective tariff policy on the part
OF the United States made the present
time an unfavorable one for the United
States to take the initiative In a move
n'ent to secure bi-metallism By interna-
uonal agreement.
Stevenson VIII Do His Best.
BLOOMINGTON, ILL.,, April 12-Ex-yice
President Stevenson said today when
questioned about his appointment on the
bi-metallic commission:
II appreciate the compliment paid to me
by the president. and will cheerfully rem
der what assistance 1 can 10 accomplish
the object of the commission.
II am bt-metallist- 1 regard the re-
storation OF silver TO It's proper money
junction as the supreme question in our
own country and throughout the world.
The Importance of the question cannot be
oVerestimated. In this country the in
yond computation. In the light of these
facts the rehabilitation OF silver Is a
ton become the settled policy. the evil
days upon which we have fallen but dim
~ foreshadow consequences yet 10 come.
Whatever our views may be as to the
ability or our government 10 maintain tho
free and unlimited coinage Of silver with
out the Cooperation of the leading coun-
that every friend of silver IN our country
Will welcome international bi-metailism.
As 20 the probability Of success OF this
compassion. II IS known that the trend
Of pablic sentiment in European countries
as well as our own Is undoubtedly favor
able 10 bi-metaliisin
Many OF the publicists Of England and
Germany are IN earnest accord with our
government upon this question. Should
public sentiment In those countries Justify
an international conference would IN
dOubtedly be called and action taken that
would be deemed proper"
London Times Predicts Failure.
LONDON, April 13.-commenting today
on the appointment Of American commits
sioners 10 an International bi-metaliic
conference. the Times says:
I'VE believe that all the Indications in
Europe and the far East point 10 the
failure OF such an undertaking. IL "a i'm
probable that ali the enthusiasm OF Sena-
tor Wo4cott. combined with the business
ability of Mr. Payne and the Democratic
silver sympathies OF ex-Vtce President
Stevenson VIII bring about the conference
desired BY President Mckinley. 1t is stan
more lmproba Die that the commission viii
effect anything without a conference
Separate agreements with the United
States are out OF the Question when tina