Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-04-14
THE MAJORS OWN.
Selection Of Stevenson on the
Silver Commission.
SENATORS COMMEND THE CHOICE.

Body Chosen with the Purpose of Having
1t Work in Harmony for the Object to BE
Attained, Which Is the Calling of an In
ternational Conference Chambers Re
markable Proposal Anent Armo--Plate
Making-would Seize Plant.
Washington, April 1.-THE naming of
three commissioners by President Nc
kinley under the act of the last con-
gress TO promote bimetallism was the
subject Of considerable discussion about
the Capitol yesterday. Almost without
exception the selections were commend
ed. Senators, regardless of party, were
pleased with the selection of ex-Vice
President Stevenson. 1t appears that
this selection was the presidents own,
no one appearing to urge his appoint
ment. The president desired a Demo-
crat who stood high in his party and
who was an earnest silver man. Re
sent for Stevenson and after talking over
the subject with him decided to make
him a member of the commission. Pres
ident Mckinley desired that the subject
of international bineta!lism should
be lifted above party politics, and that
the men selected should be those who
would work in harmony toward bring
ing about an agreement. 1t was also
believed by the president that the name
of Stevenson would give the commits
sion great weight abroad.
wolcott Is Hopeful Of Success.
Among the earnest advocates of the
selection Of Paine were Senators Hoar,
Allison and Chandler, all of whom
talked with the president on the subject
and recommended him as a man who
would materially aid the cause of BIZ
metallism. Wolcott is very hopeful o.
success He looks forward to hard
work, but says from what he learned
while abroad last year he is most san
guine of results. Wolcott believes that
in the selection Of the commission, and
especially in naming Stevenson. as si.-
yer man VINO supported Bryan, Pres
ident Mckinley has convinced every
body that he is an earnest bimetallist.
Bimetailsm at home and abroad. he
says, will be promoted by this selection.
Woicott further said that there appears
to be Il mistaken impression that the
commission is appointed with the pur-
pose in view of having il represent the
United States at Il conference only.
First Work of the Commission.
While the commission might be util-
lied in that way if n conference should
be held it's first work is to be of a purely
diplomatic character, looking entirely
to securing European cooperation. The
commission expects to leave this coun-
try about the middle of May. and i'm
mediately upon its arrival in Europe
will set Itself to that task. Whether
there shall be n conference at all will
depend upon how the advances of the
commissioners are received by the prin-
cipal powers. It is suggested among
Republicans that the European an
tagonism to a 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 this matter.
Opposition from a New Source.
Opposition to the scheme for interna-
tional bimetalIism has developed from
an unexpected source. Morton Frewen,
of England, who has given great deal
of attention to the subject and who has
visited this country several times in the
interest of silver, is now opposing an
International agreement, and declares
that the money question is one which
each nation must settle for itself
Frewen viii oppose any agreement and
use his influence against the new COM
mission when it gees abroad.
Nolcott said yesterday that geld
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 caused for gold by ia
pan in establishing a gold standard
would result in 4 drain Of gold from
Europe which would he resisted by gold
countries. In the United States Wolcott
anticipates little opposition to bimetal-
lism. What opposition there is, he says,
comes from the Grman bankers in New
York, who are already fighting bimetal-
lism, and whose opposition the commits
sion will meet when it gees to Europe.