New-York tribune., 1886-01-18
THE SJTUATION At WASHINGTOM


II is important to all to know just how the
matter stands at Washington as to silver. The
enthusiasm of disputants or mistaken notion
of policy has caused the publication of some
hopeful accounts which seem to have no
foundation. In brief, the facts are:
l. There is not the least chance of a direct or
unqualified suspension of silver coinage
Stories that the House is closely divided on the
question have no better foundatiop than thiS'
that some of the silver men are willing to vote
for a temporary suspension on conditions not
vet defined. But there is great irritation
among Democratic members of the House
about the Administration, because of its urgent
recommendation of a course which the majority
of the party was known to oppose. ANY
adjustment proposed on behalf OF the Admins
tration might thus fail to get some votes when
would be cast for the same proposition II
originating otherwise.
9 Mr.. Morrison is blamed by many for
insisting that the tariff shall be discussed
before any action can be taken on silver. But
it looks az if he might reply with truth that the
temper of the House is such just now that any
compromise, even if offered by himself and Mr.
Carlisle. would be beaten. If that is the fact,
III
tainty operates TO the injury Of industry and
business. The reported determination OF Dir.
Bland to force the House to test vote on
silver withOut delay, seems TO show Ihat such
is his belief. If this is the state OF facts, any
sensible compromise would be more likely 10
get support later in the session than at this
time Irritation may abate; cooperation on
the tariff or other questions may incline mem
bers to more of mutual consideration. Men
who want to attack the Administration any
how, and take occasion to attack it on the
silver question, may feel better when they
have discharged then selves. But whether
there is any chance of compromise hereafter or
not, there does not seem to be any now.
3. The position of the Republicans cannot he
entirely ignored. Some who are most ready to
vote for suspension on its merits say frankly
that they are not going to be as generous again
as they were to Mr. Randall two years ago.
Then they consented to let him and his friends
take the lead in preventing a change OF tariff
though the Republicans were expected TO cast
nearly all the needed votes. When the PresI-
Dental election came, Mr.. Randall and those
friends we've carefully sent into all strong
protective districts, and, instead of giving the
themselves and for the Democratic party the
merit OF stopping free-trade agitation. 1t is
not probable that this operation can be
repeated If Mr.. Randall or any other friends
of the Administration want to defeat the evil
tendencies which are plainly irresistible inside
the Democratic party, they will have oppor-
tunity to try if they do not insist upon taking
all the leadership and the credit to themselves.
A. The influence of the President is just no "
negative quantity. He will not lift finger
to prevent the defeat of the only financial
policy he has advocated. Whether IL is true,
as some report, that the Secretary of the
Treasury disagrees with that course or not, it
is certain that some of the Presidents sup
porters think it weak. 1t is also certain that
some opponents in his own party suppose that
he is trying to influence votes by hopes Of pat
1onage, and resent it. Until the situation
changes decidedly at Washington, business
men may as well calculate that no adjustment,
however reasonable in itself, has any chance Of
success.