Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-07-25
THE BILL CAME TOO LATE
McKinIey'S Grand Stand Play
Fell Flat.
HIS PROMISED MESSAGE
RecOmmeF s Monetary Commission Got
Through the House
BUT ,s-FERRED IN THE SENATE
And DIV Goes Over Until Snowballs
1afie Again He Meant Well (p) But
- Failed to Connect at the
Proper Moment.
+ ,s-fERRtD IN THE SENATE

Washington, July 24.-(Special)-T
tariff bill finally passed both houses of
congress and the president signed it to-
night
1t is now a law.
Then the president sent to congress
his promised message recommending
that congress provide for the appoint
ment of a monetary commission, the
duty of which should be to recommend
a general monetary law to congress at it's
regular session in December.
The house passed bill in accordance
with the wishes of the president. but
when it reached the serate that body
adjourned without action, other than
to refer it to the finance committee. That
means the senate refused to act: and
there will be no monetary commission.
The presidents message was as fol-
lows:
To the Congress of the United States.
In my message convening the congress
in extraordinary session, l called atten-
ton to a single subject-that of pro-
viding revenue adequate to meeting the
proper and necessary expenses of the
government.
l believed that a most pressing sub
ject for settlement then. The bill to
provide the necessary revenues for the
government has already passed the house
of representatives and senate and awaits
executive sanction. Another question
of very great Importance is that of the
establishment of our currency and bank
ing system on a better basis, which
commented upon in my inaugural ad-
dress in the following words:
Our financial system needs some re-
vision; our money is all good now, but
its value must not further be threatened.
1t should all be put upon an enduring
basis, not subject to easy attack, nor its
stability to doubt or dispute The sew
eral forms of our paper money afford in
my Judgment constant embarrassment
to the government and impsril a safe
balance in the treasury"
Nothing was settled more clearly at
the late national election than the de-
termination upon the part Of the people
to kesp their currency stable in value
and equal to that OF the most advanced
nations of the world. The soundness Of
cur currency IS nowhere questioned. No
loss can occur to its holders 1t is the
system which should be simplified and
strengthened keeping our money just as
good as it is now with less expense to
the government and the people.
The sentiment of the country is strong
ly in favor of early action by cOngress in
this direction to revise cur eurre@cy laws
and remove them from partisan conten-
ton. A most notable assembly OF bus
ness men with d. lega tes from twenty
nine states and territories was h5ld at
Indianapolis in January of tn year.
The financial situation commanded their
earnest attention and aftsr two days
session the convention recommends ID to
a f1npf fnpnf 0f a manet11-V
ocmmiss.or. l commend this recom-
nfendation to congress, thS members OF a.
monetary commission to make thor
ough investigation of the monetary af-
airs and needs Of this country in al Tela-
tens aid aspects and 70 make prop r
suggestions as to any evils found Ito ex-
ist and the Remedies therefor.
This subject should receive the attsn-i
ton of congress- at its special session. 1t
ought not to be postponed to the regular
SESSION.
Therefore I urgently suggest that a.
special commission be created, noa par
tisan in it's character, to be composed of
we'll informed citiZeLs of different parties
who will command the confidence of con-
gress and the country because OF their
special fitness for the work whose duty
it SHAH be to recommend TO CO. gress any
change in the currency and barking
laws that they may find necessary and in
the bert of their beli-f by November neG
in order that the same may BE- transferred
by me to congress fer its confederation
at the rlsxt regular session. 1t is to be-
hoped that the report will be 50 sound
and comprehensive as to receive TIE sup
port of all parties and the favorable ac-
ton of congress. AT all events such a.
report Garnet fail to be valuable to the
executive branch of the governmen MT as.
we'll as to those charged with public legir-
latioi, and to greatly assist in the eetah-
lshment of an improved system OF
finance.
(Signed) WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive ansion. July 4.