The evening times., 1897-02-22
REPORT ON MONETARY BILL
Its Passage Recommended by
the House Committee.
THE PAST CONFERENCES
IL Is Stated That the American Peo-
pie Intended That Bona Eide
international Agreement The
House May Consider 1t Soon.

Hon. c. w. Stone. of Pennsylvania, sub
mitted to the House today the report of
the Committee on Coinage, Weights and
Measures, recommending the passage of
the bin providing for the appointment of
commissioners storepresentthe United States
at any monetary conference which may be
called hereafter.
Mr. Stone refers briefly to the four
monetary conferences that have been held,
and says that since 1895 the legislatures
Of Great Britain, France and Germany
have declarcdi ia favor OF such a conference.
Continuing, he says:
'In the face OF such explicit declarations
of opinion by the legislative branches of the
three great monetary powers OF Europe, we
cannot assume that the governments OF
these countries would decline 10 join in a
conference, nor ought We to assume that
they would appoint delegates who would
misrepresent or antagonize the national
sentiment, Indicated by the expressions OF
the legislative representatives of the
people.
Your committee do not enter into any
discussion of either the feasibility or the
merits OF International bimetallism. The
great preponderance of testimony of stu
dents OF monetary science seems To estab-
lish its entire feasibility if sustained by
the great commercial nations of the world
Its desirability- from an American stand
point at least, has been recently passed upon
10y the great jury of the American people
and their verdict is to be ripened If pos
sible into an effective Judgment. Less than
four months ago over seven million Ameri-
can voters embodied in the declared policy
OF this government, the declaration
We are, therefore, opposed To the free
coinage of silver, except by International
agreement with the leading commercial
nations of the earth, which agreement we
pledge ourselves to promote, and until
such agreement can be obtained, the exist
ing gold standard must be preserved
There is nothing OF ambiguity or un-
certainty in this declaration. 1t is ex-
picit, straightforward and complete. 1t
must he accepted as eX pressing the will and
purpose OF the American people. and their
will should be the guide OF their repre-
sentatives. pledge fairly made should
be unhesitatingly fulfilled. Doubts as to
the possibility of success do not absolve
success.
1t ma =, however, he said, and properly
said, that the American people have pro-
nounced in favor OF an international agree
ment, but not necessarily in favor of an
International conference TO effect that
agreement. Aconference ceofrepresentatives OF
OF the several nations has heretofore been
the customary way OF seeking such agree
ment, and emhodies an entirely proper
mode Of proceeding, and one which seems
to have received the approval of leading
European nations, as here inbefore III
dicated.
1t is rot, however. the only proper mode
OF proceeding. diplomatic negotiations and
treaty Stipulations may be les, Tted 10 pre-
liminary or subsequent TO such conference,
or IN lieu thereof, if circumstances seem TO
SO require.
The incoming executive has frankly
and uneQuivocally stated that the Repub
lican party has declared in favor of n
international agreement and if elected
President it will be my duty to employ all
proper means to promote it
Your committee believe that the EXecu-
tive should be aided in the performance OF
this duty by promptly vesting in him full
and explicit power to use every appropri-
ate means to promote an international
agreement.
Your committee believe that the Ameri-
can people intended and expect that an
earnest and bona fide effort shall be made
to reach an international agreement on
the currency question: and TO enable the
incoming Executive to give effect TO that
intention, he should be vested with full
power, not simply for three-fourths or one
half Of his term, but for every day and
hour Of il, and they, therefore, recommend
the prompt passage Of this bill before the
adjournment of this Congress.
MI Stone will endeavor to have the mat
ter considered by the House at an early
day.