Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1900-03-03
Inc Senator Expresses HIS Views
on the Metal in a Speech on
Financial Bill.
CLEARLY DEFINES HIS POSITION
lie Predicts the Day Is Not Far Distant
When the Nations Of Old World WIN
Ask for International Conference.

Washington, Feb. 23.-The position of
Senator Shoup OH the financial bill was
shown in brief speech he made while
that bill was under consideration What
he said becomes interesting because he
has heretofore voted for silver on nearly
every occasion, but was one of the repub-
iicans who refused to bolt the party in
1896, and who supported the republican
nominee. Senator Shoup:
"Mr, President, believe it due to my
colleagues and to myself that | should
make few observations on the pending
bill.
Mr.. President, the position | have
heretofore taken on kindred measures is
well known to every senator i'll this
chamber. When l addressed the senate
in 1898 on the bill to repeal the purchas-
ing clause of the Sherman act, consci-
entiously believed that the United States
alone could establish and maintain the
parity between gold and silver by open
ing the mints to the free and unlimited
coinage of silver at the ratio of 10 to I.
With the changed conditions which soon
thereafter followed, became apprehen-
sive that this was too great an under
taking for single nation. l have, how
ever steadily adhered to bimetalism.
Admitting that we have heretofore
been unsuccessful in making an agree
ment with other countries, am in favor
! Of again negotiating with foreign nations
with a view of agreeing upon a parity be-
tween gold and silver, and in my judg-
lnent the day is not far distant when the
pridcipal nations of the Old World will
invite the United States to join them in
a conference for the purpose of establish
ing an international ratio of bimetalism
The bill reported by the committee on
finance. and upon which we will today
record our votes, provides for such con-
ference for the purpose of establishing
such a ratio.
"The platform of the national republi-
can party, adopted in convention at st.
Louis in 1896, contained similar pro-
vision. The delegates i'll that conven-
ton not in harmony with that provision
vacated their seats and retired from the
convention. Believing then, as do now
that the St. Louis platform provided all
that this nation could hope to accom-
plish for silver and bimetalism III the alb
sence of an international agreement,
remained with the convention. Suppe
mentary to this view | wish TO add there
are, in my Judgment, other principles
} advocated and incorporated i'll the repub
} lican platform, which are as of great mo
ment and Importance.
He then quoted at great length from
the address he issued to the republican
of Idaho shortly after the St. Louis con
vention, in which he reviewed the worl
of the republican party and expressed
the conviction that the best interests @
, the state would be to support the reput
. licans and he then continued:
| MI. lSSlhShli tht pNcPiS Vi eii> "N"s
of Idaho in 1896 saw fit to cast the eleC
toral vote of the state for the denocrati
candidate. They were told that the ele(
ton of Mr.. Mckinley would result
prolonging hard times, low prices an
want of confidence.
"On the contrary, the dominance I
the republican party has brought to OF
state, in common with the rest of Il
United States, period of unexample
prosperity and satisfaction with existir
conditions.
1.-The northwest, which so short tin
ago was faltering in its support OF the +
publican party, is today standing WI
the president of the United States in i
policy, both foreign and domestic.
Relieving this measure does not
any way endanger the cause Of bimeti
ism, but rather aids its ultimate accol
plishment, and that when the recogi
tiou of silver comes, at will be throu
the efforts of the republican party
shall vote for the committee amendne
and the BILL"