New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-15
WHAT HAS BEEN GAINED.


VIEWS OF PROMINENT MEMBERS or CONGRESS
THE NExI STEP FOR THz REPUBLICAN, PARTY
POINTED OUT BY THE PREsID~Nr And sECRF-
TARY sHERMAN-sIR. cHITTENDyS's TEST CASE.
rrRow raB REGULAR CORRESPONDENT o THE rRIBuSE.l
WASHINGTON Dec. IA" Well. we have gained
something" said an Eastern hard-money member Of
Congress this evening. iD the midst of conversa-
ton on the present status of the currency question:
I'VE have gained something, even If there Is no
financial Legislation OF the right sort this Winter.
We have reached point where nobody dares 10
advocate retrograde movement. The repeal OF
the Resumption act is now demanded By nobody.
while it is only short time since that issue
live one and gave rs no end of trouble Then. too,
You hear no talk about the passage of law
10 increase the volume of the Greenbacks Such a
measure vould still, without doubt. command
votes, but not enough to make 1t dangerous. as 1t
once was. SO>this almost unanimous disposition
not to tinker With the ency question--to let
well enough alone they SAYS great improve
ment on the temper which Congress- has shown on
this subject at any previous time since the Demo-
Gratis organized the House IN 1875. The Presi-
dents recommendations are wise. they Ought TO be
Needed and the sooner the better; but il Is some
thing gained even to have brought a majority Of
both houses of Congress to the determination not
70 undo any of the good work already accomplished
by the Republican party
CHIEF DANGER OF A PAPER CURRENCY.
But suggested another member of the group
when Will there be q better time TO finish the
work of placing the currency OF the country on a
sound basis y
Never probably was the reply Of the first
speaker; but there may come time before LONG
when the people and the politicians will be less
timd about 1t. aud there be. even before that,
decision of the Supreme Court that will be more
effective than the simple repeal OF the lega-tender
ciause-a decision that will not only destroy the
present law but will make II impossible % pass any
other similar law in the future in time of peace.
The chief danger of legal-tender paper money
lies in the temptation in time of temporary distress.
and when from the condition Of atfAirs people are
incapable OF dealing with the subject calmly and
wisely TO increase the legal-teuder issue. We know
by experience how easy II Is 10 put out greenoaeks
| and how hard 1t Is to Withdraw them"
! "Ihe Presidents recommendations.' said another
| who agreed with the sentiments already expressed,
will do good even though his advice is not acted
| on at this session. He has pointed ont the next
step which the Republican party must take and
has set the people to thinking about it. You will
see a general ralyiug of the conservative men OF
sound financial views TO the policy the President
mas marked out; and. although 1t has provoked
almost a. much criticism ia own ranks az among
publican party
EFFECT on PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.
What | would Ike to know" said gentleman
who had listening to the conversation, Is what ell
feet this furry over the Presidents Message and
Secretary Sherman, report VIII have upon the.
! Presidential contest some of our Western friends
say that 1t Will take Mr.. Sherman out OF the race
and make has nomination impossible. Ii must make
him popular IN New-YOrk, where his views must be
liked and 10 be popular IN New-fork Will help a
Republican candidate next Spring. Secretary Sher-
man Is a long -headed nan. and those WHO think he
viii Withdraw because some OF the Western Repub-
Leans, who have always been shaky on the en-
rency question, are tmid now don't know him.
Then the Secretary. after all pretty careful IN
what he said, and cannot be- accused Of recommend
ing any very radical measure"
Tie general OPINION OF the gentlemen composing
the group was that 1t was altogether too early TO
predict what effect these recommendations would
have upon Mr. shermans political aspirations.
MIR. cnurESDEN's TEST CASE.
The excitement which the Western representa-
tives have worked themselves into has not pre-
vented Mr. ;. b. Chirtenden from urging upon
every body of influence whom he meets To assist IN
IN getting his test case which has been appealed 10
the Supreme Court, adva ced on the calendar Of
that tribunal. He has no de.ire 70 see the volume
Il OF the currency lmintuiaicll leLuCcu, Dul nc i
anxious thar the currency issues of she Government
shall no longer be IN the nature OF a forced loan
from the people. If the decision should be adverse
| TO the LEGALITY Of the issues Of legal-teuder
Qree1backs, Mr. Chittendeu thinks that the Treas
ury notes mi ght still a part OF the circu-
! latlon without any danger 10 the stability of the
! currency Any undae expansion would at once be
automatically checked.
But. although Mr. Chitteuden is confident that
when the Supreme Court reaches his case It's decI-
SION will be in accordance with his views, il will
come up 10 regular order for about eighteen months
| and In the meantime the financial status Of the
country may change so that the decision would
cause much greater shock to business than now.
The ONLY wav TO earlier attention 10 the sub
iect in the Supreme Court Il 20 persuade the
hers Of that tribunal TO advance It account of the
great public interests involved IN its decision. This
| the Cour. can do, and undoubtedly would DO II che
] Judges were convinced that there a widespread
popular desire for early settlement Of the ques-
| top. In his consultations with public men Mr.
Chittenden has found Int or opposition to this
plAn The President has said be will not op-
pose It, although ne has said tnat ne would ad-
wise IT,. Secretary Sherman has declined 10 say
whether he would favor it not but has replied To
| every one who has spoken with BIN the subject
hat II was a matter pertaining to the Law Depart
meut of the Government. and that he could not IN
lcrlere with General Drvenss duties or express any
opinion IN regard 10 the performance of theu IL
Is difficult to see unoicially how the question is
one that belongs 70 General Devens any more than
ca any other member OF the Administration. Tue
suit - between two iniiyiduas; and, while II IN
wolves the constliuuonaiiy OF United States law,
q - law which tue Attorney -tsrneral by vir-
of his Official position Is bound TO defend. liz is
us duty 10 that the law Il executed long as
10 stands, and there his duty ends.
FFkfING IN cONGREss