Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-10

The executive committee of the National
Sound Money League was in session yes
terday in New York listening to reports
from representatives CT the league in the
different states and arriving at some very
emphatic conclusions on the subject oil
bim-talism The committee was, as II
were, in committee of the whole on the
state of the Union
The reports read show that in the terri
tory swept by free silver last year that
cause is still strong In Nebraska in Mis-
souri, in Colorado in Arkansas. the ranks
Of the silver men are unbroken. The pre-
d.ction is made, indeed. that the whole
south AMI the west are as loyal to free
silver as they were last year. From Maine
the news is different as one might sup
pose Silver. it is predicted will not in
fiuence the vote in that state at next
years congress elections. And in the neigh
borhood of Buffalo. N Y. silver sentiment,
1t Is asserted, is dying out
The committee couples this news-the
state of Maine and the neignborhood of
Buffalo. N Y, against the whole of the
south and the greater part of the west
with the failure of the Wolcott commits
sion to bring Great Britain to an agree
ment about International bimetalism. and
on the strength of the combination pro-
nounces the cause of international BIZ
metalism dead. 1t recommends its conclu-
sion to the President. and advises him ito
proclaim the gold standard as the money
basis of the country.
The unwisdom of this advice to the
President could not be greater. In the first
place, the President has no power to pro
claim anything of the binding force of
law. He is an executive. not pro
oil, Ii
blest citizen does. The money of the coun-
try is as good gold today. and will con-
Iinue so until otherwise ordered by public
sentiment expressed at the polls and
through Congress. No proclamation by
the President is ecessary to make that
fact any palmer. or would give it a wider
circulation.
In the second place the suggested course
is premature. What authority has this
committee for assuming that the result of
the labors of the WoIcott commission
sounds the death knelI or ,ne hope of in
ternational bimetalism? The commission
has not made its report as yet. Its views
as to its own performances are certainly
entitled TO consideration Is it not the
Part of fairness, net to say of prudence
10 wait until the commission has been
heard in its own behalf before pronouncing
upon what 1t has done or undertaking TO
Judge the future by its lsbors? By such a
prompt and complete surrender as this
sound money league advises the republican
party would lay itself open to the sus-
picion OF being lukewarm in the interests
of international bimetalism. The ST. Louis
platform committed the party to the policy
of using Its influence to promote interna-
tional bimetalism: not merely to one at
tempt TO that end. and to an abandonment
OF the cause if that one attempt should
1ah- The party. inGeed, has come to the
point of considering what can be done 1t
Is just OF, the eve of receiving information
through the Wolcott commission which is
TO determine its future course Meanwhile
the country is on gold basis and will there
remain so far as republican pledges hold
good, Until safe bimetalism through in
ternational agreement is realized.