The Monte Vista journal., 1898-01-22
WOLC0TT EXPLAINS
WHAT his COMMISSION DID.
stin Believes In Bimstaiiisn Bas rhinks
aChaage OF Ratio Necessary-Cratieises
Soms Members Of His Party.

cott's much advertised speech was
made In the Senate yesterday, in part.
as follows:
Mr.. WOlcOtt introduced his subject
by saying he was glad to make state-
ment respecting certain phases OF the
work OF the recent blmetnllic commits
sion. but In so doing he spoke unoffi-
cially. mot committing his associates
in the slightest degree. either to his
opinions or deductions
Later IN the session" lie said, 1--WE
are certain to have ample discussion on
the subject of silver. and II will prob
ably be ncrid and bitter enough" In
his remarks yesterday. he continued.
he must avoid. as far as possible. any
thing which might give rise to contro-
versy.
Taking up the subject Of his remarks.
he said that when Congress met u year
| ago. soon after the national election.
there was an universal expression by
the Republican membership in the Sell
ate that the pledge of the party in its
st. Louis platform to promote interna-
tlOnal bimetnllism by every means In
Its power was an undertaking to De
faithfully carried out, without evasion
or delay.
He then gave an account of the mp
pOintment Of the committee. saying
that all three of It's members were bi-
metallists.
"Our views wcrc.' he said. known
to the President before our appoint
ment. There was no one OF MS who did
not. and does not now. believe the
financial question overshadows all 9th
ers. and that continued adhesion to the
Il u
ter to our agricultural and commercial
interests
The commission had. he said. in its
six months stay abroad, visited only
London and Paris. and he added that
whatever measure OF success or fall
ure had been metcd our To the commits
sion. ''it had been hampcred by no lack
of authority or sanction or administrn-
tive support"
The language of the law had been the
commissions guide. and there ''were
never at any time" he said. "instruc-
tions given us that sought In the slight
est degree to change or hamper or limit
the full powers conferred upon us by
law. We have been" he continued. "of
one mind and In entire agreement dur
Ing all OF our negotiations. and our ef-
forts have been Loyalty furthcrcd by
our representatives abroad. who were
fortified by strenuous instructions. In
England. especially. the able and intel
li.ent and cordial cooperation of our
ambassador WAS Of great advantage in
our dclibertions."
Summing up the favorable conditions
under which til. commission operated,
Mr.. Wolcutt said:
we have had. then. n law broad and
l full In.
10 act under its provisions: our views
have been Identical and earnestly fav-
oring an International agreement. and
we have had the hearty support Of our
ambassador at the Court Of st. James.
Further than this. from the day Of first
entering upon the fulfllmcnt OF our du-
ties until now. the President Of the
United States has extended to the com
mission his unswcrvinr support in all
Its efforts to bring about an intcrna-
tional agreement. There has been no
moment that we have not known that
back Of our efforts was the earnest de-
sire OF the chief executive to carry out
in It's integrity the provisions of the
Platform Of the Republican party
plcdcinr 1t To every effort TO bring
about an International bimctallic agree.
mcnt"
conferences" lac said. made II evident
that unless some prior understanding
was arrived ut with some Of the com.
mcrcial nations. another failure would
he IN" result Of nm International con
ference at this time. and as France.
Germany and Great Britain had with.
. In the year made declarations favor.
: able 10 silver. II was decided to bring
the subject Ia III" attention Of these
? various countries, and. naturally. the
first turn WAS made To France. for
many reasons. hut. above all. because
Of Premier Mcllnc's belief IN blmcial.
l-m.
''in France" he said. "ihc question
: Of hlmctallism was regarded as strict.
. ~ an International question. nnd I, was
agreed that France AMI the United
States should unite In presenting the
question to Great Britain. lie contend.
ed for the Importance of the prcllm.
, mary understanding with France. he
, cause OF the larg" per capita clrcun.
lion OF ihrt country.
Had England even adhered To her
, assurances of the l1th Of March. ls.ai.
countries representing mere than half
, of the total money of Europe and the
United States would have agreed prior
! To u conference that. upon terms Ia bc
settled NJ such conference. they would
. reopen their mints to the unlimited
coinage OF both gold and silver
Mr.. Wolcott detailed M some icng,l,
The joint negotiations On the part of
the American commissioners and the
French ambassadors IN England. Al
first. he said. there seemed but few
difficulties In the way. nnh he quoted
the resolutions of the House of Com.
mons apd the uitrranccs of Mr.. Bal.
four and Sir Michael Hicks. Bench OF
March IL. lSsi. I'VE were not, there.
FORE" he continued. ''intrudcr-. We
could present ourselves with the Ger.
; 'nlniy of that reception which mus,
follow direct and open Invitation. And
the wclcom" "" had the right to cx-
. pcct We received. From the day We
reached England until the dny we
left finally. In October. our official
; treatment was everything that could
ic desired. Th. English ministry. In
terms. asked the French Ambassador
and ourselves Ia sIggrs, wherein, In
our opinion. England could materially
. contribute Ia u solution of the ,lu.s.
tion and nj the same time retain for
her own people III" gold standard. nud
whnt nrr termed the proposals. were
not volunteered. hui We're made hy
way Of suggestion NJ the explicit r..
quest of the English ministry. When
they were received they were treated
with fuii consideration. ns were the
representatives ~ the governments