New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-04-17
THE MONETARY COMMISSION.

The appointment Of three monetary commits
sOners TO represent the United States at an
international conference not yet called excites
the Democratic journals TO that sort of derisCn
which usually denotes fear. If the appointment
is utterly frivolous and can do no good what
ever as they say, why waste comments on it?
If no other nation wants a conference or will
attend one, no person jealous for the gold stand
ard has any occasion 10 eXpend his breath or
his ink in beraling the selection of commission
ers in accordance with an act of Congress. The
true nwardness of the matter is that some peO
pie fear the appointment may not be foolish or
impotent. by any means but may result in some
thing unwelcome to the men who get their liv
Ing politically by professed zeal for the cause Of
silver
Senator Wolcott who IS appointed at the head
Of this Commission. has spent some months
abroad in an unofficial capacity, meeting and
comforting with the leading men upon whom the
action of foreign Powers VIII depend. He is
well known as a man Of exceptional ability, and
particularly in practical, lines. His knowledge
of the coinage question might well be enved by
most of the men who dcrde him, and he is any
thing but a dreamer in his estimates Of men or
of political forces. What he learned by his many
interviews abroad does not yet appear. But it
is not exactly the most likely thing conceivable
that he would favor the appointment of none
tary commission and consent to act as its head
if he had found reason 10 believe that il could
do nothing and would only make It's members
ridiculous.
On the surface, Democratic criticism blunders
in asserting that the members of the Commits
sion can do nothing until a conference has been
called and has assembled. 1t is conceivable that
the selection of such a compassion by the United
States may of itself have considerable infiu-
ence in certain quarters. and it is also possible
that the personal representation of the state Of
opinion and purpose in this country by men duly
authorized to act for the United States in any
conference that may be called, may much en-
Tighten foreign statesmen who have relied for
information upon sources hostile to the present
Administration. The sincere desire Of this cOun-
try 10 promote a genuine International agree
ment regarding coinage, which Democratic jour
nails treat with contemptuous scorn or deny, can
not fail TO be fact Of importance 10 European
statesmen who are seeking some solution of ex-
listing difficulties. If It Is orce made absolutely
clear TO them that the United States has done
forever with the effort 10 fix and maintain the
value Of silver all by itself, and thus to carry
the monetary burdens Of the whole world. and
VIII hold fast to the gold standard unless Eu-
ropean nations are prepared for some bimcallic
agreement, this at least will be accomplished
that the great cause of European refusal in the
past would be removed.
One other thing will be accomplished The
American people will be shown precisely where
the obstacle 10 international agreement lies ana
why agreement is prevented. If AT all That
demonstration will have an important influence
upon public opinion here. The Commission if
II hndS satisfactory conference impracticable
VIII be In position to make public report Of the
fact and the causes. In that case there will be
something more than the bare assertion of sun
dry men and journals to warrant belief that in
ternational agreement Is not possible More
over, the Administration will have shown its abb