The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-19
A Matter Which Is Giving Him Far More
Anxiety than the Selection of the
Members Of His Cabinet.
The ClamOr For and Against Further
Coinage Of the Silver Dollar.
Mr.. Cleveland Believed to Favor Suspension
OF COlnage-Proyisions Of the Bill In
troduced by Mr.. Dorsheimer.
A TROUBLESOME QUESTION.

Shall Coinage of the Silver Dollar Be Com
tinued or Suspended?
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Feb. 18-Before his admins.
tration has begun Mr.. Cleveland finds himself
confronted with one of the most serious ques-
tons which is likely to be encountered during
the four years he will occupy the White House.
He knows that he was elected as much through
the business element" of the Atlantic States
as through any other class of men. This busi-
ness element has been clamoring at the door OF
Congress for the past two years for repeal Of
the silverdollar coinage law; or, at least for an
order of suspension. On the other hand, the ex-
treme West and the South, through their repre-
sentatives in Congress, are equally persistent in
their endeavors to prevent interference with the
present coinage system. Between these two
horns of the silver dilemma President
elect Cleveland already sees there is
no alternative He must either obey
the mandates of Barnum, Scott ct al, rep.
resenting the business men of the country, and
come cut squarely in favor of suspension or re-
peal Of the Bland law, or he must, in his inaugu.
raj address, heed the dictates of Reagan, Bland,
Dowd, Warner and their followers, and ignore
the question entirely, leaving the settlement OF
this important question to the will of Congress-.
A gentleman from Buffalo. who has close rela.
tons with the President.elect says that this
question is causing Mr.. Cleveland more serious
trouble and worry than all the other public mat
tiers on which he must treat in his initial mes
sage. Even the selection Of his Cabinet does
not give him as much trouble as the 85-cent dol
lar question. From talks with Mr. Cleveland,
this gentleman says that there is no question as
to his position in the matter He stands with
nine-tenths of the public men of his State--in
favor of the total suspension of the silver
coinage for period of at least two
years But he realizes fully that any
positive stand at the outset of his incumbency
of the presidential chair in the line of his own
personal convictions might lead to such split
in his party as to seriously embarrass his gen.
eral administrative policy He realizes the fOrce
of the old song "How happy might be vish
either were tother dear charmer away and he
does not yet know which to select This is ona
reason, among several, why he is extremely anx-
ious that Congress should pass all the appropria-
ton bills before the 4th of March, so that an ex-
ira session will DO unnecessary He desires
further time in which to formulate his financial
policy, and greatly prefers the opportunity to
consult with the leading men of the country to d
precipitate action upon a question which has
given him little thought before the past few
months
COMMENT ON THE DoRsHElMER BILL
The very prompt action of President-elect
Cleveland, through Representative Dorsheimer.
of New York, on the silver question has been q
theme for good deal of comment here to day.
The busnessl like action of the committee, or
attempted action, has also aroused wonder with
comment The heavy increase in the weight OF
the silver dollar, as proposed by the Dorsheimep
bill, which is, by every one conceded
to be that of Mr.. Cleveland, is believed
to be for the purpose of checking by
natural means the monthly coinage. By in-
creasing from 4124 grains to $50 grains the
standard dollar, or basing the dollars on bars
of silver of that weight the supply of silver
from American mines it is believed, be
more rapidly exhausted, while the number or
dollars will not be increaeed. Since the govern
ment fixes the price of bullion, the miner can
not suffer, he thinks, and the silver men seem
to accept the proposition.
There is, however, q prejudice against the
proposition for double standard silver dollar.
and should the bill be gotten before the House
it will doubtless make much trouble. With the
force of an incoming President behind 1t, tho
friends of the measure seem to have great con-
idence in it, and Mr.. Dorsheimer believes it can
be passed as matter of necessity.
DORSHEIMER,S SILVER BILL.