New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-12
A STRONG REPRESENTATIVE.
WASHINGTON INTERESTED IN JOHN
MURRAY MITCHELL'S CANDIDACY.
HOW THE MEMBER FROM THE WITH NEW
YORK DISTRICT WORKED FOR CURRENCY
REFORM AT THE LAST SESSION
OF CONGRESS.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington Oct. li-News OF the denomination
OF John Murray Mitchell. of the With New-York
District has been awaited here with a good deal
OF interest by the friends of sound money. Still
greater interest is felt in his election since his re-
nomination was generally expected in district
which he has twice. with the aid Of the Indepen-
dents headed by Coudert. Hewitt. Grace Smith Ely
r. p. Flower General Sckles and others Of the
sound money wing of the NewYork Democracy
and the Endorsement OF the Committee of Seventy
and the Chamber of Commerce. redeemed so sue
cessfully from Tammany Mr.. Mitchell was one OF
the men on whom the supporters OF currency re-
form leaned with confidence during the contest on
the subject at the last session OF Congress. His
appointment as a member of the Banking Commit
tee. at the request of representative business men
of New-York. gave him an opportunity to go TO
the bottom of the currency subject. Many men
would have contented themselves with introducing
a bill designed specially to benefit the New
York banks. Mr. Mitchell introduced Dill when
would have had this effect In the sense that II
would have benefited the entire country by separat-
ing the banking business Of the Treasury from its
fiscal business and making easier the protection of
the gold and the maintenance OF puplc
confidence. The bill admirable one. and
had the commentator of leading experts. the COM
mittee of the Indianapolis Monetary Conference
and OF high officials of the Treasury. Mr.. Mitchell
soon became convinced, however that the problem
planting the currency on staDe OASIS ueePcl
than the regulation of the transactions OF the
Treasury and postponed the attempt TO push his
own measure for the consideration OF measure
dealing with every branch of the subject.
His opportunity for usefulness came when the
Republicans on The Banking Committee voted 70
constitute a subcommittee of three to frame
currency measure. Chairman Walker OF the COM
mittee picked out for this subcommittee MI Nc
Cleary OF Minnesota: Mr.. Prince, OF Illinois, ana
Mr. Mitchell of New-Vork. II the avowed
purpose OF Mr. Walker TO give the controlling repre-
sentation on the committee to the West In order
TO dIsabuse the public mind of the idea that the
committee was controlled by Eastern interests 1t
was for this reason that the name OF Mr.. Mitchell
appeared last instead of first 1t was high COM
pnent to be named on the subcommittee over
such careful students of the financial problem rs
Chairman Walker himself. Mr. Fowler. or New
Jersey; Mr. Johnson. Of Indiana. and Mr.. Brosius
Of Pennsylvania. The selections were made be-
cause the men chosen were believed 20 be without
prejudice between particular measures, but they
were made also because Of the recognized capacity
of the men for careful analysis. constructive abl-
ity and sound judgment. more harmonious sub
committee could hardly have been chosen. One OF
their first acts. under the mellowing Influence OF
Mr. Mitchelrs tact and bonhomie. was 10 vote
that whatever they did, they would stand to-
gether.