The record-union., 1897-04-14
Question.

WASHINGTON, April 13.-The nam
ing of three Commissioners by Presi-
dent Mckinley under the Act of the
last Congress to promote BIN stallism
was the subject Of considerable dis
cussion about the Capitol to-day. AL
most without exception the selections
Were commended. Senators, regardless
of party, were pleased with the selec-
tion of ex-President Stevenson. 1t ap-
pears that this selection was the Presi
dents own, no one appearing to urge
his appointment. The President de-
sired 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 decided to make him member of
the commission. President Mckinley
desired that the subject of international
bimetallism should be lifted above par
ty politics, and that the men selected
should be those who would work in
harmony toward bringing about ali
agreement 1t was also believed by
the President that the name of Mr..
Stevenson would give the committee
great weight abroad.
Among the earnest advocates of the
selection of Mr.. Payne We're Senators
Hoar, Allison and Chandler, all of
whom talked with the President on the
subject, and recommended him as
man who would aid materially the
cause of bimetallism
1t has been generally conceded for
some time past that Senator WolcOtt
would be one of the Commissioners, as
his hard work since the election has
been in the direction of bringing about
an international agreement. Senator
Wolcott is very hopeful of success. He
looks forward to hard work but says
from what he learned While abroad last
winter he is most sanguine of the re-
suits. Senator Wolcott believes that
IN the selection of the commission, es-
pecially in naming Mr. Stevenson. a
silver man, and who supported Mr..
Bryan, President Mckinley has con-
WINGED everybody that he is an earnest
bimetallist. Bimetalhsm at home and
abroad, he says, will be promoted by
this selection.
Opposition to the scheme for interna-
tional bimetalism has developed from
an unexpected source. Moreton Frew-
en- of England, who has visited this
country several times in the interest
OF silver, is now opposing an internal
tional 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 it goes abroad.
Senator Wolcott said to-day that the
gold standard countries would oppose
Turt her danraPia of md
that efforts We're now being made 10
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 F.u-
rope which would be resisted by gold
countries. In the United States Sena-
tor Wolcott anticipates little opposi-
tion to bimetallism What opposition.
Mr.. Wolcott says. there is. comes from
the German bankers of New York. who
are already fighting bimetallism and
whose opposition the commission will
meet when it goes to Europe. Senator
Wolcott further said that there appears
to be a mistaken impression that the
commission is appointed with the pur-
pose in view of having it represent the
United States at a conference only
While the commission might be utilized
in that way, if a 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
country about the middle of May ard
upon their arrival in Europe will set
themselves to that task. Whether
there shall be a 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 We're at the Capitol to-day
Chairman Dingley of the Ways and
Means Committee, said that the ap-
pointees We're all good men. This
verdict was indorsed by all of the
Representatives, but the Republican
members We're averse to making any
predictions as to the probability of