Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-01-20
|VOLCO7T'S SPEECH.
The Senator Tells About the Bime-
tallic Commissions Trip.
fuE OBSTACLES IT ENCOUNTERED.
International Bimetallism Not Myth but
. Splendid Possibility MANY European
Statesmen Would Welcome Bet.
Element Of the Question.

d yesterdays proceedings In the senate
was speech by Mr.. Wolcott about his
labors in connection with the bimetal-
lie commission and embodying his re-
tirement from that body. He intro
duced his subject by saying that he
was glad to make a statement respect.
Ing certain phases Of the work OF the
recent bimetallic commission, but in
doing SO he spoke unofiicially mot
committing his associates in the
slightest degree, either to his opinions
or deductions" lie detailed at some
length the joint negotiations on the
part Of the American commissioners
and the French ambassador in En-.
rlsnd. At first he said, there seemed
but few difficulties in the way, and he
uuoted the resolutions Of the house OF
commons and the utterances of Mr..
Bslfour and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach
Of March II, 1896 Said the SENATOR
We were not therefore, intruders We could
present ourselves with the certainty OF that re-
oeption which must follow direct md open IN
citation. And tho welcome we had the right
10 expect we received From the day we
reached England until we left 1t finally In Oc-
tober, our official treatment was everything
that could be desired The English ministry,
In terms, asked the French ambassador ana
ourselves to suggest wherein, In our opinion,
England could materially contribute TO solu-
ton Of the question and at the same time re-
tain for her own people the gold standard; ana
what ore termed proposals were not volun-
teered. but were made by way OF suggestion o.
The explicit request OF the English ministry
When they were received they were treated
With full consideration, as were the representa-
lives Of the two governments conducting the
asgotiations
The newspapers OF London, like the newspa-
pers OF many Of the capitals Of the world, are
dominated by and allied with the banking ele-
ment and reflect their views, and often their
expressions The business Of money looming In
IN engrossing pursuit. not always tending to
the cultivation OF the amenities Of life, and II
Is not to be wondered OF that the London news
papers, voicing that industry, should In their
hostility to o policy Of which they disapproved,
forget for the moment that courtesy which IL
due To the stranger within the gates, especially
when he comes upon invitation, and that thoy
should DO led to characterize proposals a. i'm
pertinent" which were made only upon the re-
quest Of their own government
II was perfectly realized from the beginning
that bimetallism for England was out OF the
question India was the vital point Of oil the
negotiations with England and oil other pro-
posals were insignificant In comparison with
that respecting the reopenng Of the minis Of
India TO the unlimited coinage Of silver and the
repeal Of the order permitting gold to be paid
for government dues and to DO exchanged for
government rupees
Many English monometalllsts Of wide lniiu-
snce believe the policy to be mistaken one
End would be glad to soc the India mlnts re-
opened, II II could be done without stimulating
the cause OF bimetallsm and as separate ind
distinct action.
Mr.. Wolcott next enumerated the
obstacles with which the commission
had to contend, In which he included
the remarkable dropin the price Of sill.
yer, the coincident tariff legislation In
the United States and the statement
Of New York bankers in England, who,
he said, sought access to the English
officials and treasured them that any
sentiment which had formerly existed
In the United States In favor of BIZ
metallism, was dead. Other statements
made by the bankers, according to Mr.
Wolcott were the following: That
the mission was sent solely as sop 10
few far western republicans; that
the country generally favored the gold
standard and that the president of the
United States shared this view.
"Qhestions Of possible future negotia-
tions," continued Mr. Wolcott, "be-
tween France and the United States
and other countries, and the question
Of change Of ratio are for the moment
held in allegiance"
Mr. Wolcott then announced his in
tention to retire from the commission
and continued:
1t my sincere conviction that IN lntorna-
ti0nal bimetallie agreement IL still feasible, by
the terms Of which certain countries will Join
us ind open their minis to the unlimited coin
age OF silver, and others will contribute to the
plan and enlarged use Of that metal Us money;
and | say this tho more freely because snail
give way upon the commission to somebody
more fitted for such negotiations md better
able TO give them his constant time This re-
suit eannot be brought about without the ex-
pendturo Of both time and patience, and the
persons inlrusted with the duty Of negotiation
must have hack Of them the hearty support Of
the president and congress.
The senator then wound up as fol-
lows:
Whatever differences Of opinion may exist as
to the ability Of this country alone to maintain
the parity between silver and gold there is no
question that the concurrence Of other nations
would help and not hinder the cause Of bimet-
allism in the United States and efforts to Sc
cure IL ought to receive the cordial support OF
every citizen who is opposed to gold monomet-
allism International blmetaliSm Is not q
myth chimera The people Of Europe are,
even as we arc struggling to keep their heads
above water and seeking blindly for that which
may make for prosperity and for progress
Much Of the recent legislation In Europe
looking 10 the Increase OF gold holdings and the
depreciation of silver finds It's origin in the OK
igencics Of situation where readiness for war
Ia bo nan INF na.unyitv phnrn 10 uril a