The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-04-01
WHAT FARMER
CAN NOW EXPECT
Republicans In Congress Fighting Their
Battles Against Sncersof iopulists.
INTERNATIONAL BIMETALLISM
Conference Of Nations Mas Be had This An-
tum AZ Instance Of United states Tariff
Bill 10 Become LaR In lane.
BIMETALLIsM

Washington. March 25.-tspecial cor
rcSpondenoo) long distance tele-
phone. connecting every farmer In the
United states with rhc capitol of the
United States, would have given the
farmers u the country this week
some interesting information as TO-
the attitudes u the two great parties.
The tariff ball has been under Discus
sion ard no farmer could have list
cnei TO the discussion without being
able I'd determine clearly who were
his friends and VINO were not his
fticrdH The strong, vigorous argu-
npents OF the republican Hne1nbers Of
the wsyp and means committee In be-
half Of those features Of the bill which
are especially beneficial TO tine farmers
on the other hand, and the covert sneers
Of the democratic and popuust orators
relative TO these very features of the
bin pn the other. show that the farm
ers of the country made no mistake
when. last November. they voted the
republican party into power and the
protective system into operation. The
republican members Of the committee
have shown ullas the blll was framed
with the Interest Of the farmers con.
stantly in mind. while the attacks ~.
on that measure Ly the democrats
have been specially lcveled a; those
features whch ere beneficial to the
farmers. Chairman Dingley In his
opening address oaiicd epscial- atten.
iIon 20 these features ana General
Wheeler OF Confederate fame. who led
off the debate for the frec-trRdc wing
Of the democracy. attacked iiercely
those features OF the bill which are
intended TO bo especially valuable 10
the agricultural community. Congress
man Hopkins, OF lllionis devoted a
large share Of his sp,~ch TO an expla-
nation Of the reciprocity features.
showing that under the reciprocity
TREATIES made I'm pursuance OF the Nc
Kinley law, great advantages were
gained IN foreign markets for our ag-
rioultural products and that even
greater opportunities are offered by
the new bill; while Populist Bell. "
Colorado. who followed him In oppo-
atlon to the bin. especially attacked
the wool schedule and denounced the
effort TO give the home market TO the
American workmen and thus to the
American producers. Mr.. Bells speech
was fpcighted with sneers nj the wool
tariff. the sugar tariff. the tariff on
flax and hemp. and indeed everything
In the bill which is republican In doc
trine and which IN intended TO benefit
the farmer, and these attacks We're
coupled with admissions on his part
that even his own state had good beet.
growing sodl, great opportunities for
wool production, and other agricultural
possibilities OF extreme value. Populists
and democrats seemed to vie with each
other In their denunciation of the tar.
III measure. and all because II Is the
production OF the republican party.
INTERNATIONAL BlMETALLIsM
While there has been no official an
nouncement as to the immediate pol
icy of the administration regarding In
tcrnational bimetallism, the develop
ments have been such as to warran'
the conclusion that the negotiation;
for an International conference ar,
are to be undertaken through author
lied representatives of this govern
ment at very early date, Whethe'
this will lie by the appointment o
special representatives selected 70
this specific purpose or through tn
ministers to the foreign government
is not yet clear but 1t is known tina.
negotiations are being set on foot al
ready, and that the administrator
hopes to be able to bring about
conference in the coming autumn
which will be participated in by tn
great nations OF the world. Mean
time the friends of free coinage in tn
United States without the co-operatIo
Of other nations are losing ground
, and many of them are recognizing tn
fact that information action is the onl
practicable method OF restoring the us
Of silver. The old theory that silve
and farm products have kept pace i
values and that silver money wa