The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-24
Caucusing on silver.

The secfet conferences OF the silver and
anti-resumption mon, which have been
frequently held since the BLAND bill was
sent to the Senate, took an organized form
in the caucus. which was called irrespective
Of party, on Monday, in one Of the committee
rooms Of the House of Representatives. az
Washington. The inspiring motive OF that
movement was fear Of II veto. Whether that
fear Is justified or not. Is not the question.
but 1t exists, and has led to combination
which Is serious in purpose and strong in
numbers.
While the threat Of Gen. BUTLER to tack
on an amendment 10 one Of the appropriate
ton bills, which shall require the use of
silver is intended a. mode Of present
coercion against an apprchcndcd veto, there
is little doubt If the occasion should come
that the experiment will lie tried. and with
the greatest probability of success. In the
excitement on this subject which has swept
over both branches Of Cougr' --. AMI carried
before II some Of the soundo- minds. appeals
~ reason are useless. Argument has lost it,
force. and experience il treated with Scoru
as wholly inapplicahle 10 the actual con-
dition OF affairs
Bankruptcy, distress failures. and th"
stringency Of the times have unsettled the
reflection which ought To- be bestowed on SO
serious question as this j.. AK the most
ardent advocate OF silver what relief ii Will
bring to suffering Industry ana unemployed
labor, and hc Will give no other ,nan "a"
vague general answer. that 1t will restore
confidence ana give Il fresh iupul-' o.
business. How the silver j. to bo got by
those who want il, II something which the
financial empires do not trouble themselves
about.
OF course If the public debt is paid iu
silver, or any part Of it. the Treasury VIII
profit to the extent II the difference Of it.
value as compared with gold. But If the
menace Of Gen. BUTLER should be made
good, and the appropriations be compul-
sorily paid out in silver TO be distributed 90
course in all branches of bu-inr-a. the de-
preciated coin would eventually TALL INFO
the hands OF the workinSmcn, 20, q loss Of
about eight pcr cent. a. compared with
greenbacks, and Of about ten per cont H.
compared with gold at existing rates.
The portion uf the community most need
Ing relief, and entitled 70 first care. Is that
represented By the men and women Who
earn their bread by the sweat Of the brow
who toll ana stitch los day and by night
and who at the best in Times of prosperity
can do little more than make both ond-
meet. Whatever policy strike down then
wages or shuts the door Of employment in
their faces, i, u policy to be condemned, l.,
matter who may favor il.
While this caucus acted uudcr q panic
there is strong belief in other quarters at
Washington that HAYl, will sign any lil
Congress may send To- him, and That the rr--
olution OF STANLEY MATTHEWS wa designed
10 prepare the way by ciic.ting - pr"..lii
nary expression from buth House con- tn
subject HAYES ha, no fixed onNlclou, oi
this question, or any other. II hc Sc,s q
chance for passing popularity he Will -eix.
1t, In the hope Of escaping an investigation
Of the Fraud 10y which he j. now cuub.ed {.
pocket fifty THOUSAND dollar, a year oil th'
peoples money exclusive Of plckings