The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1898-01-20
Senate Proceedings.


Washington, Jan. 17.--Mr. Hanna, who
has Just been elected senator from ONO
made his first appearance on the 1oor
since his election.
Mr.. Foraker presented the credentials
of MIR. Hanna for the remainder OF Mr.
Shcrmais term of six years, ending
March 4, 1890. They were read. As
there was no objection to the admins
tration of oath of office Mr.. Foraker cs-
corted Mr.. Hanna to the vice presidents
desk and the oath was administered.
At 1850 Mr.. WOlcott of Colorado,
chairman of the bimetallic committee,
was recognized for Il speech on the WORK
of the commission. BY this time the
galleries and the floor were crowded
Mr.. Wolcott was in fine voice and spoke
with only occasional references to ms
manuscript, which he had before him
He was accorded the closest attention
by his auditors, among whom were
many members of the house.
Mr.. Wolcott introduced his subject by
saying that he was glad to make state
mcnt respecting certain phases of the
work of the recent bimctalic commits
sion but that in doing so he spoke un-
officially, mot committing his associates
in the slightest degree either to his opln'
ions or deductions"
Taking M the subject of his remarks
ago, soon after the national election
there was an impression among the re-
publican members that their pledge IL
promote bimctalliSm was an understands
ing to be faithfully carried out without
delay. He gave an account OF their np'
pointmcnt saying that all three of its
members were bimctallists
sour views WERE" he said, known to
the president before our appointment,
II A. thn al nft
and does not believe that the financial
question ovcrshadows all others. and
that continued adhesion to the single gold
standard means only disaster to our agri-
cultural and commercial interests.
The commission had, he said, in his
six months stay abroad, visited oAly
London and Paris, and he added that
whatever measure OF success or fnilurc
had been melted out to the commission
at had been hampercd by no lack OF au-
thority or sanction or administrative sup
port"
The language of the law had been the
commissions guide, and there, were
never mt any time" he said, "instruc
tons given us that sought III the slight
? est degree TO change or hamper or limit
the full powers conferred upon us by
law"
Summing the favorable conditions un
ucr Wnlcn inc ColllIHlSSlOn opcNNl'u, WI
Wolcott said:
1--WE have had then law broad and
full in its powers. We have been free
To act under its provisions, our views
have been identical and earnestly favor
ing an international agreement. and we
have had the hearty support of our am
hnssador Mt the Court of st. James
There has been no moment that we
have not known back of our efforts was
the earnest desire of the chief executive
to carry out in its integrity the provisions
Of the platform of the republican party.
plcdgiEg it's efforts 10 bring about an
international bimctallic agreement.
"'rhc failures of former international
conferences" he said, made il evident
that unless some prior understanding
was arrived ut with some of the com
mcrcnl nations, another failure would
be the result of an international confer
cncC ut this time. and ms France Ger
many and Great Britain had within the
year made declarations favorable to sill
yer il was decided to bring the subject
so the attention Of these various coun-
tries. and naturally the first turn was
made to France. for many reasons
an France" he said, "lhc question of
himctallism was regarded MS strictly an
international question. and it was re-
gardcd that France and the United
States should unite in presenting the
question 10 Great Britain.
Had England even adhered to her as
suranccs of the 18th of March, 1896, the
countries representing more than half of
the total money of Europe and The
United States would have agreed. prior
to conference. that upon terms to be
settled ut such conference, they would
reopen their minis to the unlimited
coinage of both gold and silver"
Mr.. Wolcott then detailed ut some
length the Joint conferences abroad.
Prom the day we reached England
until we left finally. in October. our Off
cial treatment was everything that could
he desired. The English ministry in
terms asked the French ambassador and
ourselves to suggest wherein, in our opin-