Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-01-18


in ais remarks to-day, he continued,
lie must avoid, as far as possible, any
thing which might give rise 10 con-
troversy.
Taking UP the subject of his re-
marks, he said that when Congress
met year ago, soon after the ma
tional election, there was a universal
expression by the Republican mem
hership i'll the, Senate that the pledge
OF the party in its ST. Louis platform
to promote international bimetallism
by every means in its power was an
undertaking to be faithfully carried
out without evasion or delay.
He then gave an account of the ap-
pointment of the commission, saying
that all three of its members We're
bimetailists. Our views were" he
sad, known to the President before
our appointment. There was no one
of us who did not and does not be-
lieve that the financial question
CVERSHADOWS ALL OTHERS,
and that continued adhesion to the
single gold standard means only dis
aster to our agricultural and CONNER
cial 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
uTe had been meted out TO the commits
sion, ''it had been hampered by 70 lack
of authority or sanction or administra-
tive support"
The language of the law had been
the commissions guide, and there
were never at any time" he said,
instructions given us that sought in
the slightest degree to change or ham
per or limit the full powers conferred
upon US by law. We have been" he
continued, "of one mind and in entire
agreement during all of our negotia-
tons, and our efforts have been 10y
ally furthered by our representatives
abroad who were fortified by strenu-
Gus instructions. In England. espec-
tally, the able and intelligent. and cor
dial cooperation of our ambassador
was of great advantage in our deliber-
ations."
Summing up the favorable condi-
tions under which the commission OPP
Grated, Mr.. Wolcott said:
1--WE have had then law broad and
full in it's powers; we have been free
to act under it's provisions; our views
hare been identical and earnestly IA
voring 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 our first entering upon the full
fillment of our duties until now, the
President of the United States has ex
tended to the mission
HIS UNSWERVING SUPPORT
in all its efforts to bring about an in
ternational agreement. There has
been no moment that we have not
known that back of our efforts was the
earnest desire of the Chief Executive
to carry out in its integrity the pro-
visions of the platform OF the Republi-
can party pledging it to every effort to
bring about an International bimetallic
agreement
The failures OF former international
conferences, he said, made it evident
that unless some prior understanding
was arrived at with some of the COM
mercial nations, another failure would
be the result of an international con-
ference at this time, and as France,
Germany and Great Britain had with
in a year made declarations favorable
to silver, it was decided to bring the
subject to the attention of these
various countries, and naturally the
first turn was made to France for
many reasons, but above all, because
of President Maline's belief in bimet-
allism.
I'm France" he said, ''the question
of bimetallism was regarded as
strictly an international question, and
it was agreed that France and the
United States should unite in present.
ing the question to Great Britain"
He contended for the Importance of
the preliminary understanding with
France because of the large per capita
circulation of that country. Had i
England even adhered to her assur-
ance of the 18th of March, 1896, coun- |
tries representing more than half OF |
the total money of Europe and tire |
United States
WOULD HAVE AGREED
nrior to a conference, that upon terms
to be settled at such conference. they /
would reopen their minis to the I'M
limited coinage OF both gold and |
silver"
Mr. Wolcott then detailed at some |
length the joint negotiations on the |
part of the American commissioners |
and the French ambassador in Eng |
land. At first, he said. there seemed !
but few difficulties in the way, and he
quoted the resolutions OF the House Of !
Commons and the utterances OF Mr.. |
Balfcur aud Sir Michael Hicks-Beach |
of March II, 1896 We were not, |
therefore" he continued, "intruders. |
We could present ourselves with the |
certainty OF that reception which must |
follow direct and open invitation. And