The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-01
SLY Err.
VIEWS or WESTERN MEN ON THE Sill
YER QUESTION.
a bitter Feeling Against the National
panks-A War Upon Them Ady0-
Gated by western Politicians.
IN. Y. Herald

committee Of New YORK bankers. who
met with Secretary Sherman recently to
consult about the part the banks are "a
take In carrying resumption into prac-
tical effect. has caused no little comment
among the business men, the bankers and the
nolititians here in the central city OF the
Middle States II will be remem bered that IL
was here and more than six months ago, that
the first announcement was made by ma
tionn bank Of its readiness 10 redeem its
circulation i'm gold: and following the example
OF that bank d dozen or more gave out that
they were willing to do the same thing. And
with the example of those Cincinnati banks
az q guide "a ones opinion, " IL not difficult
Ia predict the success Of resumption the
country over. In the six months time that
they have held gold In their vaults to meet
their paper they have all together, paid out
about 1000 to $4,000.
THE QUESTION OF SILVER.
But while the question Of resumption In
gold appears to be 30 nearly settled, there Is
the current one Of what part silver is to take
In IL, which comes up now and is causing the
discussion. Ohio was foremost among the
Western States In the demand for remonetiz-
ing the silver dollar. A year ago this de-
mand was agreed upon by men Of all parties,
and both Republican and Democratic mem
bers Of Congress from this State worked "a
that end. The time which has since elapsed
may have changed the feelings Of few on
this topic, but still II s safe to assume that a
large majority Of the people of all parties
here In the West are still In favor Of "the
dollar OF the daddies' as II was christened
here.
IL was both a surprise and disappointment
that this association Of New York bankers,
acting In conjunction with the Secretary Of
the Treasury, should ut this early day after
its reconciliation attempt to discriminate
against IL or try to secure It's abolition from
the coinage of the country.
THrRMAN's OPPORTUNITY.
But there is another view Of the case. and
that II n political one, which will remove the
pangs of disappointment from many Of the
Democrats. II gives Senator Thurman an on
portunity to commence his fight against the
national banks which he will not be slow TO
improve. A day or two after the Ohio election
Senator Thurman was interviewed by the
Enquirer, and the interview was photographed
20 the Herald IN which he took occasion to
announce that he had commenced n fight
against the national banks which he meant 10
keep M with all the ability he possessed.
This will give him fair footing FOR vigor-
ous fight. and he is good fighter. Here In
the West II will set him far IN advance Of any
presidential candidate, whether he wins or
not, and his friends are iubant over this fact.
IL ia regarded by them as Q part Of the good
luck that has uniformly followed him during
late years
A few interviews with well known Western
men on this silver Question Will give d good
idea'of the tone of sentiment.
SENATOR STANLEY MATTHEW'S.
Mr.. Matthews. who il supposed TO he near
er the administration than any one else, IA
opposed To this move on the part Of the
banks, and does not hesitate 70 predict that IL
will end In arraying the people Of the West
against them as a class. Said Senator Mat
thewa to-day:
at ia an attempt by the banks to dominate
over the lawmaking power Of the govern
ment They say In effect to Congress and the
Secretary Of the Treasury: IF you pass laws
that don't suit us we will abrogate them.
We don't want the silver dollar TO become q
mn fsatt hn mn al hN fr-t- un
will therefore pay no regard TO the law which
says il shall be-" Such course can only ro-
suit in .antagonizing the people against the
banks"
ut cannot have the effect they desire then,
that is, TO get Congress TO repeal the Silver
Dollar law"
"No: that would be impossible. The vote
by which that law was passed last winter
you know II passed over the Presidents veto
will insure Its remaining on the statute books.
The people are in favor Of silver especially
the people here in the West, and they would
never consent TO its demonetzation."
Then II will open the fight against the
national hanks2"
IF the national banks throughout the
country show a disposition TO ndorse the ac-
tion OF the New York banks ii certainly will
array the people against them, because the
people feel that they are assuming too great
powers when they propose to set aside laws
as though they were not made tOafcCt them"
May 1t not interfere with resumption"
cate the workings OF the proposed plan of re-
sumption adds TO the possibilities of its fail
ure It Is desirable that all influences should
be made To harmoniHe In bringing about a re-
turn to specie payments. The bankS have to
do their part, and they must be assisted as
far as possible by the business men. What
ever tends 10 divide these interests makes the
problem more difficult one; but still il looks
now as though everything would proceed
smoothly and resumption be accomplished
without any serious trouble"
SENATOR neck.
Senator Beck, Of Kentucky who has been
here a day or two EN- route to his home from
the Northwest, is more outspoken than Stan
Icy Matthews on the subject:
1T becomes a serious matter" said the Son
ator. when the banks can join together, and
agree to set aside the law Of the land, as
though they were not bound to obey ii as well
rs any one else IL shows that they feel they
are able to control the government of the
country-to rule, instead of being the sub
jects of rule"
"Will they be able TO enforce their ruler"
1T Is likely they will. The power of fifty
or sixty banks, such as they, banded together
to carry out certain policy, is very great.
Az times that power has been able to control
the policy OF the Treasury 1t is not i'm
probable that they may bc able to keep silver
out as they propose to-
But can they secure repeal of the silver
law of last winter|'
mo, they can not. That law was passed
over Hayes veto, and Congress will not re-
peal il. The bank power is very strong, I'll
admit, in the East, but it can't do anything
when II comes to running against the current
OF public opinion such as was aroused when
we passed the silver bill over a veto message
from the President OF the United States. Be
sides this, ii will raise a fight against the
banks themselves that will not he settled
soon. II is the very worst thing they could
have done, If they expect to continue in exist
ence. II arrays the masses OF the people in
opposition to them, and makes bank or anti
pank an issue for future campaigns