National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-12-04
rINANCIAL TINKERINn.

When the character of the Presidents
message was developed, foreshadowing the
Executive policy regarding the coinage of
silver and the repeal of the legal-tendor
act, THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN took oc-
casion to intimate as follows
On these two points we apprehend tho Pres
ident will not find himself in strict accord
with his party, though in presenting them he
Is consistent with himself
1t now appears that our apprehensions
were well founded. In both branches of
Congress resolutions of dissent regarding
the recommendations of the President have
been introduced which strongly indicate
that the Republican party is not in accord
Herewith. The press begins to develop its
views, and we apprehend that they will be
strongly marked by the lines that divided
Republican sentiment on the rcmonetizing
of silver. That was struggle between the
Gold King whose sceptre had been all-pow-
erlul in the money realm, and the paper
money of the people, which was wait
ing redemption. The coinage of sill
yer broke that sceptre, aud reopen
ing of that question now is undoubtedly
melted by desire to remove or re-
duce the silver handicap that rests upon
gold and which assured resumption under
the curtailment of its power. The question
was wisely settled in the remonetizing Of
silver Resumption followed, and bow of
promise was hung on the clouds that rested
over the business interests of the people.
They took fresh courage, and the hum of
enterprise and prosperity is now heard
where before resumption all was gloom and
dependency. In view of all this, the recon-
mendatons now made, and which have n
tendency to disturb and disrupt business
confidence, are exciting considerable atten-
tion and discussion. In referring to this
matter the Chicago Inter- Ocean says:
Whatever the personal objections entertained
by Mr.. HAYES to the greenback currency, the
present is n most inopportune moment for
| airing them. We are on the eve of a Presi-
| dental contest, where the questions of Ma
tional supremacy and personal liberty seem
| likely TO be permanently decided. The Re-
| publican party, which has lost ground for a
| number of years, appears once more united
aud strong, and with the ono great issue be-
| fore it would sweep the country next year.
| TO distract 1t now, to introduce disturbing
questions in the ranks at this time, Is not
only unwsc, but utterly inexcusable.
| The mistake Is unfortunate, and much wis.,
dom will be required oil the part of Republi-
cans to prevent il becoming grave and
troublesome one. We hope some Republican
member will assist greatly in rectiying this
| false step by introducing resolution at once,
| declaring IL to be the sense of Congress that
| the present condition aud ratio of our paper
money shall not be disturbed. That such a
resolution would pass by an immense majority
cannot be doubted, and that it would allay
the anxiety which the Presidents suggestion
will certainly create is an all-sufilcent argu.
lnent in favor of its prompt adoption.
The Pittsburg Gazette holds to the follow
ing view of this tinkering policy:
1t is exceedingly unfortunate that the Presi.
dent should have got that amiable obstinacy
| for which he is noted set upon the entire re-
| tirement of our legal-tender currency. 1t is
| unfortunate in two senses first, in n National
sense, that the head of the Nation should be-
come bent upon policy which may take away
! from the Nation the most convenient currency
ever known just at the period when 1t has at
| tanned its greatest usefulness second, in a
party sense, that an issne should thus be
forced upon the country which will divide the
Republican party.
So far rs we are able to reach and under
stand Republican sentiment on this ques-
tion, it is that its revival at this time is ex.
ceedingly inopportune and unfortunate. The
universal sentiment appears to be "let well
enough alone" The country is fast as
suming a healthy financial and business
condition, and its progress should not be
interrupted by any governmental inter