New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-16
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
is A CURRENCY COMMISSION NEEDED?

A CORRESPONDENT WHO THINKS THAT SUCH
BODY SHOULD BE STRICTLY PARTISAN
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: A debating society any subject Is n
benefit TO the community In far az the debate Is
listened read. But II action on the subject
under discussion is desired. the deliberations OF
those who have the power TO carry their conca-
sons into effect have more practlcal interest
The business community wants action on ihe cur
rency question not well-written essay on the
subject finely composed report would be an ex-
cellent addition to the current monetary literature,
but what practical value would il have?
The bullion report Of 1910 Is considered classic
but the British Parliament voted II down for
years. though II came from Commission OF their
own appointment, and finally constructed their
currency system in disregard OF one OF its fundd-
mental principles. So. elghty-seven years after
the report was prepared. II Is dead letter in Eng
fish finance. against the protest Of the leading
economists OF that country. As a statement OF
principles II is invaluable but the principles are
getting rather musty after all these years OF wing
on the shelf. Is not that a common experience with
reports by commissions?
But 1t is contended that need "non-par-
tisan" Commission. question-mark does not
seem OF place here when looks al the
politics OF the leading advocates Of this movement
The question mark might also represent the wink
which those same advocates can hardly restrain
when repeating The words. The Government IL in
the hands of Republicans and II the findings OF a
Commission be of assistance in arriving ut
solution OF the currency question the majority Of
the Commission should be composed of Republicans
in sympathy with the ma prty of the party and
the Administration II would be waste Of time
to have report prepared which would be sure TO
be antagonized by the dominant party.
But it is said there is politics in the cur
rency question and ut is Incorrect to speak OF
Democratic or Republican money of Democratic
or Republican potatoes" This statement cannot
De al owed to pass unchalenged. Republican legis-
ation on banking and currency has led up TO and
ended in the National banking system with its
Governmental supervision statistical repoI us. gen.
of collateral In the hands OF the Treasurer of the
United States trustee for the public the result
Is Republican money Democratic legislation on
the subject has led UP to and ended In state
or security for the currency. The product Is Demo-
cratic money. There Is, therefore. "a radical differ
cnce between Repub lean and Democratic money,
and also the financial systems or the TWO parties
We need a partisan Commission because these
systems irr-concilable. The majority OF the
Commission should he believers in National
ity OF the Republican party. il we are 20 derive any
benefit from the findings OF the Commission. There
Is no subject which has been more the cause Of
party strife than the currency and none Wnicn
more requires party help for it's solution
What better Commission can there he than Con-
gress. with its committees legislative powers ana
representative character There. in congress, y
the arena for the discussion OF the banking ana
currency question. Even II Commission were
appointed the decision would ina " rest on the
votes Of Senators and Representatives.
he OF practical value. and. second, II appointed AT
all would not the best results be attained by
making the Commission strictly partlsan?
THEODORE GILMAN.
Anru