The San Francisco call., 1897-01-30
Bill Authorizing Appoint
ment of Five Monetary
Commissioners.
This May Lead to International
Conference on Coinage of
Silver and Gold.
Hear of Massachusetts, Argued That
the NJ jority of All People Favor
the Double Standard.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 29.-The
Senate to-day by vote of 40 10 II agreed
to motion made by Hale (R.) OF Maine
that the adjournment to-day shall be I'M
til Monday next
Bacon CD Of Georgia introd uced joint
resolution declaring that the United
States deprecate war and desire the main
tenance of peace and friendship with the
world and inviting all civilized nations to
make a corresponding and reciprocal
declaration He asked that the joint res
oIution be referred to the Committee on
Foreign Relations and it was so agreed.
Allen (Pop.) of Nebraska introduced a
resolution. which was laid over. declaring
that any judicial sale of the properties of
the Union Pacific without additional leg
islation by Congress would not be binding
on the United States, nor exclude it from
any legal or equitable right now possessed
therein, If such sale were subsequently
ratified by Congressional action.
The Senate bill for commission to an
international monetary conference was
brought up and Villas CD of Wisconsin
delivered prepared speech against il as
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 Senate might as we'll
realize it, that that international farce no
longer pleased Americans. They could
all, or nearly all, be fooled a part of the
time. but the time for such folly had
passed.
Stewart (P.) of Nevada said that he
could not refrain from rendering the SEN
ator from Wisconsin his sincere congratu-
Iations. The Senator had eloquently por-
trayed what he (Stewart) had always
claimed to be an extreme folly. The
action of foreign powers to regulate do
mestic affairs had always seemed to him
preposterous.
Pet,igrew (silver R.) of South Dakota
said that he protested against the passage
of the bill. First, because this country
was capable OF managing its own affairs
without the assistance of any other ma
ton, and second, because he did
not believe the United States should
any longer be suppliants at the
feet of the European nations, which are
the chief benefciaries of the gold stand
ard. he declared tina. he would have no
part IN any effort for a further conference
after the humiliation submitted to in the
former conferences. He closed his
speech VIII OeCldTdLlOn IQdI IL was loo
humilinting to have the United States
continue to be Tin monetary affairs) the
laughing,stock of Europe.
Alien (P.) Of Nebraska, while expressing
his confidence that the attempt at inter
national conference would be a contem pti-
bic failure, thought it would be a serious
mistake If the friends OF monetary reform
should .obstruct the passage of the Dill IN
the slightest degree. One of his friends
on the other side sent one of the most
brilliant of their number (Wolcott) to
Europe to hunt up somebody to confer
with, and no report had been received that
anybody IN England or anywhere else was
willing to confer. He should not vote
for the bill, but he wanted to see it become
law, although it was wrong.
Carter (R.) of Montana read a prepared
speech in support of the bill, which was
he said, manifestly prepared to facilitate
success IN the movement for bimetallism.
1t gave to the President all needed author
tty, unhampered by needless conditions.
He appealed to Cannon (R.) of Utah to
withdraw his amendment, as Stewart
(Pop.) OF Nevada had withdrawn his. 1t
would then devolve on the administration
within the next four years to demonstrate
either its ability to have an international
conference held or that it had failed. The
administration was entitled TO the CO.
operation of those who would see silver
remonetiZed either by National or inter-
national effort.
Cannon (R.) of Utah declined to with.
draw his amendment and spoke in favor
of IL.
Chandler asked and obtained unani-
nous consent to have the vote taken on
the bill and amendments at 4 o'clock.
The Nicaragua bill having been laid be-
fore the Senate Morgan CD of Alabama
asked unanimous consent to have the vote
taken at 4 P. NJ. Tuesday next. Morgan
gave notice that he would ask have the
bill taken up after the routine morning
business on Monday and to continue in
session until the final vote
Hoar gave notice that after the Nicar-
aqua canal bill was out OF the way he
would press consideration of the bank
ruptcy bill.
The monetary conference bill was again
taken up, and Bacon o.. } of Georgia ad-
vocated mis- own amendment, giving spe-
cihc authority to the President to call a
conference
Jones Cd of Arkansas said that the
friends OF the measure ought to have abb
soiute control OF it, and that he would not
vote tor single amendment that they did
not themselves accept, but he had little
Iaith in their faith.
Shoup (R.) OF Idaho advocated the pass
age OF the Dill Tree from all amendments
Hoar (R.) of Massachusetts combated
the idea that the possibility of an inter-
national monetary arrangement was a
chlmera or a dream. He thought that
the gentleman who expressed such an
idea falled TO take into consideration one
of two facts. There was no doubt what
ever that large majority of the peonJe of
The civilized world was in favor of the
double standard of gold and silver. There
we're few people in this country like the
Senator from Wisconsin (Vilas) who were
not in favor, but the Democratic party
the Populists and the supporters of BRYAN
believed in the double standard. and the
Republican party, so far as it could be
Judged, had declared its belief in that
doctrine and had pledged itself to pro-
mote it. Another exception to the doc
trine of international bimetallism was the
Senator (Stewart). who did want foreign
nations TO enjoy bimetallism. That Sena-
tor wanted 70 have money In this country
30 poor, cheap and miserable that even a
Japanese or Chinaman would n OF touch it.
Il do not want it so dear" Stewart in
terposed. "that an American cannot get
t."
Hoar continued at considerable length,
giving his experiences and observations
2n the financial question in France and
England While be was in those countries
last summer. II consider it not at all pos
'lnle that Germany under certain cIrcum-
'tahces may join bimetallic union, even
Elthout England. The writer" continued
d. ar, gives his opinion that Russia
would be ready for the same union when
me Tune comes, and he quotes letter
f-.-