The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1900-03-16
STANDARD WILL Be gold

COuCinueU from F2TSC rage.
"Mr. Speaker, that brings me to the
last section of the bill, which is a
provision that this act is not intend
ed to preclude the accomplishment of
international bi1netallism whenever
conditions shall make it expedient
and practicable to secure the same
by concurrent action of the leading
commercial nations of the world and
at ratio which shall insure perma-
hence of relative value between gold
and silver
Mr.. Speaker, this provision con-
tains no Legislative effect not now
provided for by the act of 1897, under
which the last effort for international
bimetalism was made. This provi-
sion does not interfere with the opera
ton of the act providing either for
the gold standard or the refunding of
the public debt. This provision does
not interfere with the operation of
the act providing either for the gold
standard or the refunding of the pub
lie debt. This provision will give no
encouragement nor hope for the in
dependent action OF this Government
in establishing free silver coinage at
a ratio of 16 to /. The only terms
under which it will be possible will
be under the concurrent action of the
leading commercial nations of the
world and at ratio which shall make
permanent the relative value of the
two metals.
II say, Mr.. Speaker, this provision
| in effect merely says that the act Of
1897 has not been repealed lit says not
only that this act does not foreclose a
future effort, but, sir, it goes even
further. 1t says in terms that while
| it does not foreclose or repeal the
provisions of the act of 1897, the ac-
| complishment of such an information
al agreement can be had only when
conditions shall make it expedient
and practicable, and then only when
it can be eoncurred in by the leading
commercial nations of the world. And
if conditions should change, and the
leading commercial nations of the
world should concur, it can then be
made possible only by making that
ratio in conformity with the relative
values of the two metals.
cit has been thought advisable to
insert this, in order that it would put
at rest any further controversy as to
the methods and plans which might
be pursued for such an agreement
/ repeat. it gives neither hope nor
encouragement to the free coinage of
silver at the ratio of 16 to l, because
that ratio is out of proportion to the
relative values OF the two metals. 1t
puts the last nail in the coffin of that
party which seeks an Independent ac-
tion on the part of the American
| Government. 1t says in explicit terms
| 4kak snh IL. =
country as we'll as in others, shall be
considered to disclose whether it is
expedient and practical even to make
such an effort.
l say that persons who have had ex
perience in legislation know that they
cannot Away obtain what they de-
SIRE have no patience with this
proposition. but / yielded as is me-
cessary and wise in many cases, in
order to reach an amicable settlement
of differences in Legislation. 1t is
sometimes best that one should sur.
render his personal preference for the
public good.
"While this provision has no legis.
lative effect, and while it does, in
my Judgment, give no encouragement
to those who seek that very thing,
and especially no hope for an indie.
! pendent action ON the part of this
Government, / would rather take the
: measure even with that blemish upor
} it than to have no gold standard legis
lation at all. (Applause on the Re
: publican side. 'ff 'A
, "Mr. Speaker, it has been our ain
to establish firmly the principle Of
the gold standard, made fully opera
tive, and it is the belief of the con
ferees that this measure does it. Ii
my judgement this legislation is O
greater Importance and more far
reaching in its benefits than even we
ourselves are prepared to appreciate.
"Great successes move with the
: least disturbance, and while benefi
4 cent principles give little occasion TO
) noise, they move forward by progress
sive steps; and this in my judgement
is one of those pieces of Legislation,
which will occasion little alarm il
: the country and little dispute amonl
the people. Underlying the princi
: pies governing the management O
the business of the people of this ma
: tion will rest this bed rock, solid ii
: its terms, unequivocal in its provision
/ and certain in its operation. - Gan
: plause ON the Republican side.
W BRA nv