Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-12-06
THE COURSE OF DEBATE

THE COURSE OF DEBATE.
All the Washington correspondents con-
cur in the statement that much caution is
being exercised by the leading men of both
parties in regard to the opening of the polit-
ical discussion. Thus far the Democrats
have shown no disposition to raise an
issue in Congress that would be likely to
precipitate such debate, while the Republi-
cans exhibit far more timidity than has been
their wont in the past in opening the ball.
That such discussion will take place before
the close of the session is generally conceded,
for this is Presidential year, and it is not in
human nature to expect that the opportunity
of making political capital will be allowed to
pass. The Republicans are somewhat dis
gruntled, however, over the financial recon-
mendations of Messrs. Hayes and Sher-
man. Recent conferences with their
constituents have served to convince
them that any effort to retire
the legal tender notes would be exceedingly
unpopular, and cause them great loss at the
polls. They ere also convinced that Sher-
man has shown bad faith in the matter of
circulating sllyer-has not made proper
effort to give it extensive circulation, but on
the contrary has been in league with those
whose interest it is to maintain a mono
metallic standard, and to debase silver for
purposes of speculation. They are not in
olined, therefore, to adopt the suggestion of
thoc bat E.,o;k la~ H.
coinage Of the silver dollar, and are even
moro 10th to adopt Mr.. Hayes recommends
ton that the matter be left discretionary
vita the secretary of the treasury. man
hedged about by such influences as have in
the past controlled the secretary is not to be
ruatea with such discretionary powers.
The Democratic programme has not been
outlined as yet. A few of the leading spir-
it's in Congress have given their opinions as
to the best course to pursue, but their OK
pressions are not authoritative and cannot
therefore be regarded az indicative of the
course the'psrty will pursue. In due time,
however, tho matter will be discussed in eau
Gus and q plan of action determined upon
which will meet with the cordial approval
of the entire party. This will not be held
until after the holiday recess. It is not
probable, at any rate, that the policy will be
markedly aggressive as at the extra session.
The appropriation bills will probably be
passed withoutsa ny of the political riders to
which Mr.. Hayes took exceptions last June.
These measures, however, will be passed as
separate bills and sent to Mr.. Hayes for ap-
proval or rejection. He will, no doubt, veto
them for substantially the same reasons that
prompted his vetoes before, and
will therefore place his party on record once
more as in favor of the intimidation of
voters by federal troops and marshals. The
Democrats will also have made record in
favor of free elections and the maintenance
of the powers of the States as distinguished
from the powers of the general government
1t is not probable that any legislation will
be attempted on the currency question save,
perhaps, an act designed to give the people
the benefit of the reconciliation of silver
by compelling Mr.. Sherman to place it in
circulation. The retirement of small bills
by the national banks has created demand
for silver that will require all now in the
treasury to supply. A move may be inaugu-
rated looking towards the retire.
ment of national bank notes
to antagonize the policy of Hayes
and Sherman relative to the legal tender
notes, but there is no probability that it vii l
be passed prior to the Presidential election.
Mr.. Blaine proposes to make the supreme
effort of his life at this session. He is striv-
ing for grand prize, and will leave no stone
| unturned by which he can advance his
prospects. His policy will be to endeavor to
provoke sectional strife. As at the last
session he will rely upon taunts and ieera
and calumnies of the Southern people to
provoke retort and prove that the Southern
heart is still full of bitterness towards the
people of the North. But in this he will
we fear not, fail. The Democrats are deter.
mined that they will do nothing hastily, and
will not be entrapped by any such device.
But Blaine is fertile Of resources, and it will
be we'll for his opponents to be on thei1
guard against an ambush he may be laying
for them.