Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1897-07-28
INTERNATIONAL FREE COINAGE.
Senator Carter interviewed on the Prospects
of Success of the woIcott commIssion.

The Salt Lake Tribune has al
Washington special w columns
long rejoicing over the success OF
Messrs. Wolcott, Stevenson n
Payne in their mission to Europe,
and giving interviews with promi-
nent western senator's. Among
Others the following expressions are
attributed to Senator Carter:
Senator Wolcott and his associ-
ates in the commission, supported
cordially by the administration from
the start, have most vigorously
stated that they have found the
French government willing and
anxious to earnestly cooperate with
this commission in bringing about
international bimetallism on a safe,
substantial and enduring basis-in
other words, to return to h none
tary conditions existing prior to
1873. 1t may be that in dealing with
the matter of ratio, 15h instead OF l6
TO one may be insisted on by our
associates. This change from the
coinage system of our country
would be to our advantage while
the adoption of a 16 to l ratio would
be decidedly to the disadvantage oil
France, as all money of that country
has heretofore been coined on the
ration Of 15k to 1. We should be in
money by recoining at 15h to 1,
while France would lose by recoin-
ing at 16 to L.
1.-THE French ambassador In Lon
don is cooperating with Senator
Wolcott and his associates for h
purpose of securing the most liberal
cooperation on the part OF Great
Britain, and assurances are encour
aging as to the opening of the In
dian mints and possibly an Increased
use of silver as part of the reserve OF
the Bank of England. Our ENJOYS
are prosecuting their work. in a most
judicious and intelligent manner. 1t
is worthy of note that the effort now
being made is being conducted in a
wise, prudent, and diplomatic way,
whereas conferences heretofore called
have been without previous under
standing and have resulted in an
open debate in conference before b
whole world, each country contend
ing for it's own particular views and
ministering to the popular prejudice
or feeling in the country represented.
II am informed that when the
commissioners understand definitely
what England will do they contem-
plate visiting Germany for the pur-
pose of ascertaining what that
government will contribute toward
facilitating the movement, where
Ambassador White has been instruc-
ted to cooperate with our ENJOYS
and the French ambassador to that
country. 1t seems reasonable to
suppose that Germany will agree to
all her present silver in circulation
ton and will likewise in the future
coin at least all of the German pro-
duct, amounting to owe 1900, 900
ounces per annum.
"After ascertaining what these
large countries of Europe, especially
Latin union, together with the Rus
sian government will do, it is under
stood that our ENJOYS and the
French government will consider
whether or not the situation is suffi-
GENTLY promising to justify the res
toration of free coinage, and If SO,
what the terms and methods OF
reaching that end should be. OF
course, a report will be made by the
ENJOYS to our government, subject
to the approval of congress, and the
French plan will be submitted to the
French chambers. All of this work
takes time, but no one can doubt
that when a conclusion is reached
upon the broad and intelligent basis
suggested, it will have the element
Of permanency, achieved without
violence to any interest and to the
satisfaction of all.
"The President Is most earnest In
his cooperation and intensely de-
oiiouo oi y
this coinage question at the earliest
practicable date upon a solid, sub
stantial and permanent basis. Imay
be over-sanguine, but i feel inclined
to predict that within two years we
shall zee the restoration of silver to
free coinage at substantially the old
ratio, which of course means a re-
turn of the market value OF silver to
its old price of $1.29 per ounce, in In
ternational as well as home trade
The extreme gold men in all parties
are insufficient in numbers and In
fiuence to prevent the success of this
movement, if the friends of silver
will patiently and cordially support
the administration in the honest
effort now being SO intelligently
made"