Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1897-12-07

rior questions in the broadcast spirit of
friendliness.
Work of woIcott Commission.
Under the provisions of the act of con-
gress, ~ proved March 3, 1897, for the pro-
motion Of an international agreement re-
spectinE bimetallism- / appointed on the
l4th day of April, 1897, Hon. Edward o.
Woicott of Colorado, Hon. Adlai E. Stev-
enson of Illinois and Hon. Charles J.
Paine of Massachusetts, as special ENJOYS
to represent the United States. They have
been diligent in their efforts to secure the
concurrence and cooperation of European
countries in the international settlement
of the question, but up TO this time have
not been able to secure an agreement con-
templated by their mission.
The gratifying action of our great sis
ter republic of France, in joining this
country in the attempt to bring about an
agreement among the principal CONNER
cial nations of Europe, whereby fixed
and relative value between gold and silver
shall be secured, furnishes assurance that
we are not alone among the larger ma
lions of the world in realizing the inter
national character of the problem and IN
the desire of reaching some wise and
practical solution of it. The British gov
eminent has published a resume of the
steps taken Jointly by the French ambas-
sador in London and the special ENJOYS OF
the United States, with whom our ambas-
sador in London actively co-operated IN
the presentation of this subject to her
majesty's government. This will be laid
before congress. Our special ENJOYS have
not made their final report, as further
negotiations between the representatives
of this government and the governments
of other countries are pending and in con-
temptation They believe that doubts,
(which have been raised in certain quarters
respecting the position of maintaining
the stability of the parity between the
metals and kindred questions may yet be
solved by further negotiations.
Meanwhile it gives me satisfaction to
state that the special ENJOYS have already
demonstrated their ability and fitness TIC
deal with the subject, and it is to be earn
estly hoped that their labors may result
in an international agreement which WILL
bring about recognition of both gold and
silver as money upon such terms and With
such safeguards as will secure the use OF
both metals upon a basis which shall
work no injustice to any class of our cltl-
ZenS.
Reciprocity Negotiations.
In order to execute as early as possible
the provisions of the third and fourth sec
tions of the revenue act approved July "A,
1897, appointed the Hon. John A. kesson
of Iowa special commissioner plenipo-
Tertiary to undertake the requisite ne
gotiations with foreign countries desiring
to avail themselves of these provisions.
The negotiations are now proceeding with
several governments both European and
American. 1t is believed that by care
full exercise of the powers conferred by
that act some grievances of our own and
of other countries in our mutual trade
relations may be either removed or largely
alleviated and that the volume of 0uI
commercial exchange may be enlarged.
with advantage to both contracting par
ties.
Most desirable from every standpoint
of national interest and patriotism is the
effort to extend our foreign commerce.
To this end our merchant marine shoul6
be improved and enlarged. We should
do our full share of the carrying trade OF
the world. We do not do 1t how. We
should be the laggard no longer. The in
feriority OF our merchant marine is justly
humiliatlng to the national pride. The
government, by every proper eonstltu
tional means. should aid in making our
ships familiar visitors atevery commercial
port of the world, thus opening up new
and valuable markets to the surplus
product of the farm and the factory.
International arbitration cannot be
omitted from the list of subjects claiming,
our consideration Events have only
served to strengthen the general views on
this question expressed in my inaugural
address. The best sentiment of the civil
lied world is moving toward the settle
ment of differences between nations with
out resorting to the horrors of war.
Treaties emhodying these humane prin-
ciples on broad lines without in any way
imperiling or interests or our honor shalt
have my earnest encouragement
Condition of the Navy.
The present Immediately effective force
of the navy consists of four battleships of
the firSt-p1aSS two of tha second and
other vessels, ranging from armored
cruisers to torpedo boats. There are IN
der construction five battleships of the
first class, Ii torpedo boats and one sub
marine boat. No provision has yet been
made for the armor of three of the five
battleships. us it has been impossible to
obtain it at the price fixed by congress. 1t
is of great Importance that congress pro
vide this armor, as until then the ships
are OF no fighting value
frha great increase of the navy, which
has t1sen place in recent years, was lusti~
fed by the requirements Tor national de-
Tense, and has received public approba-
ton. The time has now arrived, however,
when this increase. to which the country
is committed should, for time, take the
form of increased facilities commensurate
with the increase of our naval vessels. 1t
is an unfortunate fact that there is only
one dock on the Pacific coast capable Of
docking our largest ships, and only one
on the A tlantlc coast, and that the latter
has for the last six or seven months been
under repair, and therefore incapable of
use.
Immediate steps should be taken to pro-
vide three or four docks of this capacity
on the Atlantic coast, at least one on the
Pacific coast and a floating dock on the
gulf. This is the recommendation of a
very competent board, appointed to in
vestigate the subject. There should also