Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-08-24
ADJUST CURRENCY.
Congress Will Make IL FIT Expanded
Trade Conditions.

Washington, Aug. -l.-ChairmaR
Babcock, of the republican congress
sional campaign committee, is in
Washington, together with Representa-
tive Dalzell, OF Pennsylvania, one Of
the republican leaders of the house
and member of the committee on rules
in the last congress. Both were mem.
bers of the house caucus committee,
that met at Atlantic City last sprins
to prepare the tentative currency bill.
which republican members of the SEN
ate finance committee are now COLI
sidering.
Mr.. Babcock, as one OF the most act-
i've and prominent party leaders, il
deeply interested in all measures res
lating to. the party's interest. He has
been one of the most strenuous adyo-
Gates of currency reform in the house,
deeming it not only essential to the
country's welfare, but in line with
sound republican policy as well. d
am sure that the new currency.
bill will pass both houses Of congress
at the next session." said Mr.. Bab-
cock. The house will take up the bill
Immediately upon assembling in De-
cember. and I think we can pass it be-
fore the adjournment for the Christ
mas holidays. s,
There have been rumors within the
past few weeks that the members OF
the senate committee who now have
the bill under advisement are dubi-
GUS about declaring straight out for
the gold standard in the bill. Such
reports are not correct. The senate
will not take lower position on the
monew question than the house ADOPTS.
mo doubt, the members of the sens
ate committee are listening to the adj
vice of their colleagues of prominence,
who advise against declaring for the
gold standard. 1t is proper, of course,
that they should deliberate carefully
and hear all sides Of the proposition.
That is one of the, functions of the
upper house of congress.
But when it comes time to act, the
republican party in the senate will be
as firm for gold as are the members Of
the house. ] am sure there will be the
greatest harmony between the repub-
licans of both houses over the provis.
ions of the new bill. 1t will provide
common ground on which all republi.
cans can meet.
1T need not be surprising If the bill
should carry some features which
mark step in advance. That is the
record OF the republican party. When
conditions require progress to be made
the republicans take the initiative.
There is no doubt as to the demand
throughout the country for currency
reform. The volume OF business in the
United States has increased to such an
extent within the past three years un.
der republican rule as to require an
expansion of the currency system.
People in the east have but slight
idea, as rule, OF the tide of prosper
ity which is sweeping over the western
country. New enterprises of every
kind are starting up; old enterprises
are fourishing, and money which lay
hidden and boarded under democratic
rule is coming out and seeking invest
ment. The inevitable result OF this
condition-already apparent is
clamor for amendment of the currency
system.
Let no one suppose that the senti-
mept in favor of the gold standard is
confined to New York and the east.
MY state of Wisconsin is as solid for
in the union. Our people will not toll
Sluuc lOT q SuHSCSllOu VI al
inferior currency, and / believe that is
the prevailing sentiment throughout
all the states of the west, except some
boroughs whose influence is inconse-
quential. I
at Is consistent with the party's,
record that tue republican party,
should represent this sentiment and
stand for its execution into the law Of
the land. If the democratic party
adopts free silver as its platform and
goes before the country in the next
presidential election on that score, its
candidates will be Overwhelmingly dee
feated."
Representative Dalzell is also conf
dent that the currency bill win be en-
acted into law at the next session. He
does not feel at all concerned over the
reports that the senators are weaken
ing on the gold standard clause. But he
is assured that when the bill comes be-
fore the house for ratification it will
be satisfactory to the business interests