Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-02-02
ALMOST UNANIMOUS.
Senate Passes the Bill for a Mon.
etary Commission.
ONLY FOUR VOTES AGAINST IT.
Senator Villas Bitterly Opposes the Meas
i ure-Views of Senator Hoar-New
Treaty Fixes Alaskan Bound
AIRY Line.

the representation of the United States
on any international monetary con-
ference that may be called occupied the
senate Friday almost exclusively and
was finally passed by the triumphant
majority of 46 to A. 1t authorizes the
president to appoint five or more COM
missioners to any international con-
ference, with a view to securing fixity
OF relative value between gold and sill
yer as money, by means of a common
ratio between the metals; with free
mintage at such. rates; and it also au-
thorizes the president to call, in his dis
erection, such conference to assemble at
such point as may be agreed upon.
Senators Allen (pop., Neb.) Petit
grew (silver, S. d., Roach (dem., N. D)
and Villas (dem., Wis., voted in the mega
tive.
Senator Hoar's Views.
The debate on the bill was long and
interesting, but by far the most i'm
portant speech was that made by Sena-
tor Hoar (rep., Mass.). He took the
ground that a every large majority of
the people of the civilized world were
In favor of double standard of gold
and silver. He quoted two distinguished
French Observation-Disclosures. Fengerol
and Meline-as strongly in favor Of
bimetallism, and said that resolution
introduced in the French assembly by
the first-named gentleman had the sup
port of 367 out of $50 delegates, or a
majority of between three-fifths and
four-ffths. Senator Hoar also named
as among the principal European adj
vocates of bimetallism, Mr.. Balfour,
leader of the English house of commons,
and recalled the remark made to him
by member of The present British
cabinet in on pany in Eng
land, when he lSenator Hoar) declined
to repeat what Mr.. Balfour had said to
him: "Why, Senator Hoar, it is no
secret that Mr.. Balfour's opinions upon
this matter are those of majority of
her majesty's government" Senator
Hoar also mentioned the likelihood of
Germany and Russia Joining in the BIZ
metallic movement and he declared, in
conclusion, that the time had come for
making another effort in that direction.
Villas Opposes the Measure.
Senator Villas (dem., Wis., delivered
prepared speech against the measure,
declaring it "a vicious and misleading
bill"
Three times, he said, the United
States had caused "the pretty piece"
to be acted, twice at Paris and once at
Brussels. The truth was, and the SEN
ate might as well realize it, that that
international farce no longer pleased
Americans. They could all, OF nearly
all, be fooled a part of the time; but
the time for such folly had passed.
! There was plain, easy path before
congress, which opened to all the pros
perity and especially to all the relief
from currency disorders, which any
legislation could give. Mankind, on
the whole, could not be made rich or
prosperous by legislation. If any class
were SO enriched, it was at the cost of
the masses.
Pettigrew's Protest
J Senator Pettigrew (silver, 8. d. said
that he protested against the passage
OF the bill; first because this country
was capable of managing its own af-
4airs without the assistance of any
other nation; and second, because he
did not believe that the United States
should any longer be supplicant at
the feet Of European nations which
were the chief benefciaries of the gold
standard. He did not suppose there
was senator present who believed
that bimetallic agreement would re-
suit in the establishment of ratio
of fifteen or sixteen to one. No SEN
ator supposed that Great Britain would
change her monetary system, and he
gould see no excuse whatever for the
introduction of the pending bill IN
less the necessity of the republican par
~ to make show of friendliness to
silver. He declared that he would
have no part in any effort for further
conference after the humiliation sub
mitted to in the former conferences.
! He closed his speech with declara-
ton that it was too humiliating to have
the United States continue to be
lin monetary affairs) the ''laughing
stock Of Europe"
Other Proceedings.
1 Senate bill granting pension of eight
dollars month to Mrs. Martha Frank,
of Georgia, widow of a soldier in the In
dian war of 1878, and now 1927 years
old, was passed.
Senator Bacon (dem., GAY introduced
. joint resolution declaring that the
United States deprecates war and de-
sires the maintenance of peace and
friendship with the world and inviting
all civilized nations to make a cores
ponding and reciprocal declaration.
He asked that the joint resolution be
referred to the committee on foreign
relations, and it was SO referred.
Senator Allen (pop., Neb.) introduced
q concurrent resolution, which was laid
over, declaring that any judicial sale
Of the properties of the Union Pacific
railroad without additional legislation
by congress would not be binding on the
government of the United States, nor
deprive it of any legal or equitable
right therein now possessed, unless
Buch sale were subsequently ratified by
congressional action.
In the House.
i. Washington, Jan. 30.-War between
the states of Massachusetts and Yer
mont ragged for brief period on the
floor of the house Friday over allega-
tions of railroad wrecking in those COM
monwealths. The combatants were
Messrs. Powers. of Vermont, and Bar
rett, of Massachusetts,, and the occasion
OF strife was the consideration of the
report of the conferees upon the bill
providing for the incorporation of the
purchasers of the Atlantic & Pacifiq