Gulf Coast breeze. [volume] (Crawfordville, Fla.) 1897-19??, 1898-01-28
| WALCOTT ADDRESSES SENATE
IN REGARD TO THE WORK OF
BIMETALLIC COMMISSION.
MARK HANNA FORMALLY SWORN IN
Now Senator IL Cordially Received By
His Coiicagues-Many witness tho
Days DoiHEs.

A Washington special says; In an
ticipation of an interesting session Of
the senate Monday, all Of the galleries
were well filled some time before the
senate convened. The long-looked-for
speech of Senator Wolcott was tho
drawing card.
Mr.. Hanna, who has just been elect
ed senator from Ohio, made his first
appearance on the floor since his cleo
tion. He was cordially greeted by
his colleagues on both sides.
Mr.. Foraker presented the creden-
tails Of Mr. Hanna for the remainder
Of Mr.. Shermans term Of six years,
ending March 4, 1899. They were
read. As there was no objection 10
the administration of the oath of office
Mr.. Foraker escorted Mr.. Hanna to
the vice presidents desk and the oath
was administered.
senator woicott Speaks.
Mr.. Wolcott summarized the work
Of the bimetallic commission and the
present situation by saying that il is
apparent that for the time being il is
useless to count on any cooperation
from Great Britain towards bimetal.
lie agreement, and that while France
actively desires TO see silver restored
to its old position as n stsndard Of
value equally with gold, she insists
that the problem is one which demands
international, action and the co-opera-
ton to some adequate extent of other
leading commercial nations of the
world.
Questions OF possible future negoti-
atoms between France, the United
States and other countries and the
question of change Of ratio, are for the
moment held in allegiance. While We
hope for continued Joint action, France
owes no further duty to us.
at is my sincere conviction" he
said, "that m international bimetallic
agreement is still feasible, by the
terms of which certain countries
will join us and open their mints
to the unlimited coinage OF silver, and
others will contribute to the plan an
enlarged use of that metal as money;
and / say this the more freely because
| shall give way upon the commission
to somebody more fitted for such ne
gotiations and better able to give them
his constant time. This result cannot
be brought about without the expendi'
ture of both time and patience, and
the persons entrusted with the duty
Of negotiation must have back Of them
the hearty support of the president
and of congress"
He thought it might be necessary to
change the ratio to something like 20
to |.
Referring to the attitude of Secreta-
ry Gage on the financial question, con-
trasting it with the presidents posi-
ton, he said of Secretary Cages re-
marks upon his currency bill.
"The two statements are utterly at
variance, and contradictory TO each
other. They cannot be reconciled.
This is not the proper occasion to
analyze the bill of tho secretary. 1t
viii ituVh IlhIbo lollK DtlOIc ~ ItuNucb
the senate. But | do not intend to
discuss tho bill which the presidents
message specifically does not indorse;
and il is premature to criticise the Sec
retary's republicanism,' for his advent
into the party and the cabinet were
practically contemporaneous. Wemust
accept the situation. In my opinion,
the great majority of the members OF
the republican party are bimetalists,
and the fact that they are misrepre-
sented by cabinet officer is not
pleasing, but it is endurable.
"The selection Of the members OF
his official household is the presidents
own affairs, and so long " he stands
upon the question of bimetallism where
he has ever stood, there is no serious
ground for apprehension, But even
in the inconceivable event that the
chief magistrate Of this people shonld
in the exercise Of his judgment deter
mine 10 countenance the final fasten-
Jig upon this, country of burdens of
the gold standard, trust we way still
find warrant for faith and hope in the
pledges Of the party and the vision
Of its counsels."