The news & observer., 1897-01-30
A Scheme to Fool the People
One More Time.
A MONETARY CONFERENCE
CONGRESS PROVIDES ANOTHER
JUNKETING TOUR.
OF COURSE ALL VOTED FOR 1T
In the Debate in the House on the Pa
cific Railroad Bill, two Men,
bers Cinched and Had


Washington, Jan. 20 by the decisive
vote of 46 to 4. the Senate to-day passed
the bill for the appointment Of commits
sioners to an international monetary con-
ference.
The closing of the debate brought out
several notable speeches, including those
of Mr.. Hoar, Of Massachusetts. MIR vi.
las, Of Wisconsin, Mr.. Jones, Of Arkansas,
Mr.. German, Of Md. Mr. Allison, of
Iowa, and Mr.. Carter, Of Montana. 1t
disclosed that little opposition existed
against the bill, the only division being
as to the expediency Of seeking bi-met-
allism through international agreement
As voicing the general view of the Dem
ocratic side Of the chamber, MIR. Jones
and Mr.. German favored the adoption Of
the measure exactly as Republican Sena-
tors desired. in order that the responsible
ity might be theirs.
Mr.. Hoar's speech attracted attention,
and was one OF the most noteworthy
utterances Of the veteran Senator made
in recent days. He spoke Of his observa-
tions in Europe during last summer,
his agreeable discussion with Mons
Meline and Bourgereau, in Paris, and
Mr.. Balfour, in London, on the advan-
tages OF bimetallism. Mr. Hoar ex-
pressed the conviction that the four great
nations--the United States, Great Brit
ain, France and Germany-were fast and
inevitably tending toward a bi-metallic
agreement
Mr. Villas, of Wisconsin, spoke against
it. He characterized the bill as vicious
and misleading. 1t was wholly illusory,
perhaps deceitful, in the promises it held
out and was q fundamental acknowledg
ment of the theory Of the Bryan cam
paign. Mr.. Villas referred sarcastieally
to these pretty plays" of international
conferences. Three of thom had proved
failure, and the American people were
tired Of "internationas farces."
Mr. Stuart congratulated Mr.. Villas ON
his conclusion, saying he too, had long
seen the futility il International confer
ences.
Mr. Pettigrew, Of South Dakota, said
he would merely record his protest aginst
the bill. He believed the United States
should act alone, and that we should no
longer be supplicants ut the feet of Euro
pean nations who were our creditors. The
United States had been humiliatel
enough already by seeking these confer
ences. If the United States alone cannot
establish it's own ratio at 16 to /, then
it should do something which it can exc
cute alone
Mr. Allen (pop., Neb), while ridiculing
the bill, and declaring that the conference
was doomed to be a contemplate farce.
said he would not attempt to defat IL.
He referred to Mr. Wolcott's trip to Eu-
rope, and his failure thus far to get any
one to confer with him.
Mr.. Garter, (Rep., Mont), spoke Of the
recent political contest in which Mr.. Nc
kinley represented the idea of an inter-
national conference while Mr.. Bryan de-
nouneed the plan. MIR. Mckinley was
elected and now this measure was pre-
sented step in execution Of the confer
enee plan.
MIR. Chandler, IN charge of the bill,
asked unanimous consent that the final
vote on the measure be taken at four p.
m, to-day. There was no objection and
the speedy close of the contest was assur-
ed
The Nicaragua canal bin was then tklk
en- up with view to fixing time for a
vote and Mr.. Morgan asked that the
vote be taken at five p. m. on Tuesday
next.
Mr. Turpie, lDem., Indiana), objected.
Mr. Morgan then advised Senators
that he would call up the canal bill on
Monday Immediately after the routine
business.
The debate on the monetary conference
bill was then resumed.
La the course of the debate MIR. Jones,
OF Arkansas, made a statement Of his
which, in view of his position
as chairman of the Democratic National
committee, attracted some attention. He
said he believed in allowing the friends
Of the bill to shape it in their own way.
He desired them to have complete oppOr-
tunity to try the plan for an international
He believed it would fail
and yet there were many earnest friends
Of silver who believed the plan would
succeed. The last election had shown
that the sentiment was almost universal
for bimetailism, the only division being
as to the method Of bringing 1T about. Ii
it came Through an international agree
ment he would gladly accept it.
Mr.. GalEnger, (Rep., N. H., after earn
estly supporting the bill said he would
frankly state that If the international con-
ference failed to secure n bimetalic a.
he would stand as an advocate
and defender of the gold standard
Mr. Blanchard, (Dem., louisiana, said
he would vote for the bill as step to-
ward btmetallism, although he favored
4 distinct American system.
Mr.. White, dem., California;, declared
hat while tine bill would prove abortive,
ret its Republican friends should be left
30 make the effort they
le@dreds
Continued on fourth page.)