Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1886-02-02
interview with Congressman
Wilson.
Ispecial to the wheeling Register.l

IWilSon, this morning, on PuplIc
luuestions, the substance of which may
be found below.
50 What, in your judgment, will be
done as to suspending the coinage OF
tsilver?'' asked the Register man.
ze Nothing whatever: in fact, it is
scarcely possible for one who has not
mingled with members of both Houses,
since Congress opened, to understand
how strong and defantisi the opposi-
ton to the recommendations of the
President and Secretary of the Treas
ury. And this opposition seems to
be growing. In both Houses con-
tinued Mr.. Wilson, 60 strong and ag-
gressive speeches have been made,
although the subject has not come
up, at all, in the. House in any order
of business, and only upon Senator
Beck's resolution in the Senate"
"What is your own position on
this question:
81 voted against suspension last
February, when the matter was
brought up by the Appropriations
Committee. / did so because the
matter was brought before Congress
irregularly and without opportunity
for discussion, and also because, de-
spite the letter of Mr.. Cleveland, and
the almost frantic appeals of the
Eastern press, saw no necessity for
a different vote. But 1 determined
to give the matter my best investiga-
ton during the recess, and vote at
this session as public interests seemed
to require. That Investigation, which
has necessarily carried me through
the whole coinage history of our coun-
try, convinces me that there is no
present necessity for interfering with
the coinage of silver. Unfortunately
for the silver dollar it came back into
our legal currency over Presidential
veto, and has always found an enemy
in the White House and in the Treas
ury Department. From 1878, when
its coinage began, to this date, there
has been constant cry of wolf wolf, ,
from both quarters. This has alarmed
some, but it has simply exasperated
the minds of our people, and l think
the Treasury Department ought, by
| this time, to have learned that there
is but one way in which il can teach
the people that the Bland law is a
vicious and dangerous law, Gas it
claims and that is by carrying it out
faithfully and honestly. If there is
danger in it, let it be declared in that
way and the people will be quick to
remedy it, but they will never re-
spond to the outcries of those whom
they see doing all in their power to
defeat and evade the law
"Then you believe no change will
be made?''
90 As said, I do not believe any
change whatever will be made in the
law at this Congress. nor do I see any
necessity or Justification for a change
so far as the amount of silver coinage
is concerned. But I do think the
Bland law crrs in requiring the entire
coinage to be in standard dollars of
4125 grains. The 'dollar of the
daddies' was never a very common
coin in our currency. Up to 1878
the entire coinage had been less than
ten millions. Since then we have
coined over two hundred and fifteen
millions. I would change the law so
as to mint. at least onc-half of the
monthly issue in halves and quarters,
of proportionate weight and fineness.
They are more convenient for circula-
ton and there would be greater de-
mand for them. I would also forbid
the issue of greenbacks or bank notes
less than SIS, and supply their place
with silver, or if notes are wanted,
with silver certificates. By these
changes more silver would pass into
circulation"
{" What about tariff legislation at
this session.
s' Oh! the silver question has so
pressed to the front that we hear little
at present about the tariff. But I
suppose the Ways and Means Com
mittee will give us some bill or bills
in due season and bring the matter
before the House. l nope they will
endeavor to frame a bill that will
command our full party strength.
We pledged ourselves in our last
platform to revise the tariff in spirit
of fairness to all interests, and we
ought to carry out that pledge in its
letter and in its spirit. Secretary
Manning discussed this question with
great vigor and clearness in his re-
port, and it is certain we shall have
the active support of the Treasury
Department in all our efforts in that
direction. The tariff reform is a
question that vii! not down. There
are too many men in earnest about it,
in both houses. to allow it to disap-
pear, and while they would, 1 am
convinced, be satisfied, to-day, with
very moderate measure, delay will
add to their demand and it will in
crease their sense of wrong and in
Justice"
GLOW does the Presidents position
on the silver question affect his
standing with his party?''
az On the silver question there are
no party lines. Nearly as many OF
one party as of the other oppose the
Presidents views. But l do not
think any Democrat considers diff
ference of opinion on that question as
affecting the general support and
friendiness for the administration.
| IT, ,a,, ,1ort boyo faIt from tho