Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-02-04
a FRENcn PRorwrloNIsT.
says High Tar1H Cuts Little Figure WITH
the Gold Standard

Says high TarfH Cuts Little Figaro witt
the Gold Standard
We regret to observe that some of our
republican contemporaries are engaged
IN the unnecessary work OF throwing
cold water on Senator Wolcott's author
lied mission to Europe for the promo
ton of bimetallizm- They declare that
international bimetallism is q fraud
invented for the purpose of fooling the
people letting the public down easy,
as one phrases it-and that now, having
served its purpose, Il is folly TO revive
either the issue or tke hopes that nay
be based on it.
Indeed, they go farther than this, and
proceed to expose soRse of the interior
workings of party intrigue that may
serve TO throw light on future develop
ments~ They say that Dir. Wolcott de-
liEered tory speech daring the Vene-
zuelaR debates, and that he now wants
to go to Europe to receive his reward.
This comes, mind you, frem prominent
republican organs, and they more than
intimate that Mr.. Wolcotts tory speech
will be followed by his action in prac-
ticaIly dealing a death blow to interna-
tional bimetallism.
We. says the Atlanta Constitution,
have not been any too sure of Senator
Wolcott's political honesty or his anx-
iety for bimetallism of any kind since
his tory speech, which came as sur
prise to the whole country: but we are
not prepared TO believe that the repub-
licans propose to make the people des-
- = l. H. -, H.,
vile manner that has been outlined.
We prefer to give them the credit OF
good intentions, and await develop
ments, bearing in mind the TACT that
the gold standard has received sudden
and an unexpected setback in Russia.
The Russian minister of finance, III.
de Witte, argued that the interests of
Russia would be best promoted by the
adoption of the gold standard. He
had his plan mapped out and ready to
go into operation. But many of the
Russian financiers were not blind to
the effect the gold standard would have
on the people and the business interests
of the country, and they protested.
The car was induced to consult III.
Meline, the French premier, who is an
ardent bimetallist, and the result was
the shelving, temporarily at least, of 81.
de Whites plan. for establishing the
gold standard. in the east. To this
fact is due the cessation of thesdemand
for gold in Russia and the cessation of
gold exports from this country
This, therefore, we are disposed to
regard as a temporary victory for the
cause of bimetallism, though it may be
merely shrewd card played by the Eu-
ropean bankers 10 prevent toe great a
strain on the United States treasury.
Consequently, we refuse to assist the
republican organs in blackening the
reputation of their own party. Until
events show to the contrary we shall
prefer to believe that the republicans
meant something whe1 they fie6Ssd
themselves to use. their hest. efforts to
promote bimetallism. We sheI: prefer
10 believe that Mr.. Mckinley. is acting
in good faith when he authorizes Sen
ator Wolcott to proceed 10 Europe TO
look over the ground and see what ar
engagements can be made for anlnterna-
tional conference that shall mean some
thing. We shall prefer to believe that
Mr.. Wolcott himself, in spite of his
tory speech, is sincere. in his desire to
restore silver to its old place.
It, is already known. that France is
ready to enter into an, international
agreement, and this facttwill.g give Sem
ator Wolcott something to work on. NJ
Meline, the French prime minister,
who is protectionist, has demonstrate
ed to ,hiseown satisfaction that high
tariff cuts small figure under the gold
standard; that customstariff ceases to
be effective when the gold standard is
constantly beating down prices.
This being so, it is of immense inn
portance to the republicans to secure
international bimetaIlisIn. If they
should levy. high customs duties and
these should fail to raise prices under
the gold standard what, then, becomes
of their theory of protection? Why,
their party would go to pieces like
house of cards in a whirlwind.