The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-04-21
INTERNATIONAL B'METALLlSM.
Mckinley Named Ex Vice President Ste
venson on the Commission.

Mckinley Named Ex Vice President Ste
venson on the Commission.
WASHINGTON, April 13.-The nam.
ing of three commissioners by Presi.
dent Mckinley under the Act of the
last Congress to promote bimetallism
was the subject of considerable discus
sion about the capital today. Almost
without exception the selections were
commended. Senators. regardless of
party were pleased with the selection Of
ex.Vice President Stevenson. Itap-
pears, that this selection was the Presi-
dents own, no one appearing to urge
his appointment. The President de-
sired Democrat who stood high in
his party and who was an earnest sill
YER man. He sent for Mr.. Stevenson
and after talking the subject over with
him, decided to make him a member
of the commission. President McKin-
ley desired that the subject of interna-
tional bimetsllism should be above
party politics, and that the men select
ed should be those who would work
in harmony toward bringing about an
agreement.
Opposition to the scheme for interna.
tional bimetallism has developed from
an unexpected source. Morton Ere.
wen, of England, who has given a
great deal of attention to the subject,
and who has visited this country sew
eral times in the interest, of silver, is
now opposing an international agree
ment. and declares that the money
question is one which each nation
must settle for itself. Mr.. Frewen
will oppose any agreement and use
his influence against the new commits
sion when it goes abroad.
Senator Wolcott said that there ap
peared to be mistaken impression
that the commission is appointed with
the purpose in view of having it rep.
resent the United States at confer
ence only. While the commission
might be utilized in that way, a con-
ference should be held its first work is
to be of a purely diplomatic character,
looking entirely to securing Europen
cooperation. Whether there shall be
conference at all will depend upon
how the advances or the commission
ers are received by the principal pow.
ers.
BLOOMINGTON, ILL.,, April 13.-Ex'
Vice President Stevenson said today
when questioned about his appoint
ment on the commission for the pro
motion of an international agreement
"I appreciate the compliment paid to
me by the President, and will cheer.
fully render what assistance can to
accomplish the object of the commits
sion.
"Whatever our views may be as to
the ability of our government to main.
tain the free and unlimited coinage OF
silver without the cooperation of the
leading countries of Europe, it may
be safeIy y assumed that every friend OF
silver in this country will welcome
international bimetallism. As to the
impcssibility of the success OF this
commission, it is known that the
trend of public sentiment in European
countries, as well as our own, is un-
doubtedly favorable to bimetallism.
"Many of the pubIicists OF England
and Germany are in earnest accord
with our government upon this ques,
ton. Should public sentiment in
those countries justify an international
conference, would undoubtedly De
called and action taken that would be
deemed proper"