The morning news., 1897-07-06
The President and the Money aues-

tiOn.
The understanding is that the Presi-
dent will decide this week whether or not
he viii send a message to congress recon-
mending a commission to investigate
and report upon the money question. He
is virtually pledged to make such a rec
ommendation, and by doing so he would
comply with the resolutions adopted by
the Indianapolis sound money convention.
The Washington dispatches leave the
impression that he doubts the advisable
ity of sending to congress a message re-
lating to the subject, not because he ques-
tions the wisdom of the commission plan,
but because of the opposition TO it of the
silverites in congress.
A bill authorizing the appointment of
commission could be passed through the
House easily, but the silverites of the
Senate could defeat it by preventing a
vote upon 1t. And they assert that they
would defeat it. Senator Teller is quoted
as saying that he would keep congress in
session until December before he would
permit it to pass.
But why are the silverites so hostile to
a monetary commission? Are they afraid
that a report from commission, compos-
ed Of men capable of making an intelli-
gent and exhaustive investigation of the
subject, would injure the cause of silver?
If that is the ground of their opposition
then they are trying to force upon the
country monetary system in which they
themselves have not the fullest conf
dence. They are not dealing honestly
with the people. If that is not the ground
of their opposition, on what ground do
they oppose a commission? If they are
sincere there should be no hesitation on
their part in stating frankly their reasons
for their opposition. If they believe in the
views they express in respect to silver
it would seem as if they would invite in
vestigation of the subject.
1t is probable that majority of the
members Of a commission would be sound
money men, but that would not prevent
the side of the silverites from being heard.
Everything said in behalf of silver would
be furnished to the people by the news
papers. If the arguments for silver were
stronger than those for gold. the people
would be quick to see it. Before a com
HilSSlOu SOlu WOulu nave lO duNdutdSS
over silver. because the full proceedings
would go before the people, who would
render the verdict
The President should send a message
to congress, and let the silverites prevent
the appointment of a commission. The
defeat of the commission plan would not
help the cause of silver. 1t would rather
injure it, The impression would be Gre
ated that the silverites were afraid of a
thorough inquiry into silvers merits.
It is barely possible that the republican
leaders are not as favorably inclined to
the commission plan as the attitude of
the President in regard to it seems to in
dicate 1T is said that MIR. Gage, the Sec
retary of the Treasury, has plan for the
solution of the monetary problem. 1t may
be that the republicans think they can
solve the problem without assistance,
hoping that If they should succeed their
party would enjoy increased popularity.
A commission, however, would not ignore
Mr.. Cages plan. All plans would be con-
sidered on their merits by the commits
sion, and if Mr. Cages was the best it
would be adopted. The President ought
not to hesitate to recommend a commits
sion because his Secretary of the Treas
ury has a plan for settling the monetary
question.