Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-05
THE SILVER QUESTION.
A Perplexing Problem for Congress
TO Solve.

THE sTRCooLK BETWEEN SILVER AND ANTI
SILVER MEN LIKELY TO RESULT IN A ooMPRo-
NISE-wuAr Is TuOUGUr OF SECRETARY WIN
Do1s PLAS-yIEws OF coSoREssnEN.
II looks now rs il the silver question might
overshadow all other propositions for legisls-
ton at the beginning of the session. While
THIS rs question the majority party will have
TO deal with, and take the RESPONSE
oihty for, Its settlement will hardly
lie within party lines. since the silver
men ESQ called) are probably in the majority
In both parties in the House, and have a ma
lority IN the senate gathered from both parties.
IL Is not thought that the opponents TO more
extended silver currency are strong enough in
thn Congress TO prevent action. The most
they hope TO accomplish is something in tho
way OF compromise, which will stop the
ultra silver men a little short of the point they
aim 10 reach.
THE SILVER MEN HAVE REIN ACTIVE
since the adjournment of the Fitch Congress
in their preparations for the passage Of a FREQ
coinage act this winter. They undoubtedly
have great strength in Congress. and il is not
questioned that they will secure some legisla-
ton in the interest of silver. One thing that
may weaken their efforts 90 secure free coinage
without considering the probability that the
President would veto such act if passed. is
ries among silver men themselves 20 the
best scheme for putting silver and gold on an
equality and putting much of the former
metal as possible in circulation. Many are not
IN favor OF trying absolutely free coinage at
once, but would extend the amount Of COM
pulsory coinage and issue coin certificates. re-
deemable in either silver or gold, at the option
OF the holder of the certificate.
POSSIBLE COMPROMISE.
Foreseeing that the silver men would newt
ably pass some measure extending silver cur
rency and fearing that the measure might be
an extreme one. the anti-silyer men. or silver
men with reservation, have been devotng
their attention to the development of plan
which would satisfy the silver interests. with
as little injury TO the eastern interests pos
sible. great many plans have been proposed
and the chances seem 10 be that some one Of
these-something short of free coinsge-wiu
be adopted as a compromise in the end.
THE PLAN PROPOSED by SECRETARY wINDoM
is regarded rs the most ingenious that has been
proposed at any timo and that best balances
the conflicting interests AZ stake. The plan is
original with him and is the result of a very
long and careful study. from the standpoint Of
one who occupies middle ground and has been
under the educating influences of both sides Of
the question.
The suggestions contained in the report and
the arguments on both sides therein presented
have been received with much interest by Sem
ators and Representatives in Congress. and the
indications are that the advantages of the plan
will appeal TO them more and more strongly as
they consider ii. As yet a large number OF the
Congressman are not ready 10 commit them
selves for or against the plan, but all agree
that it is one that demands their most
careful consideration. few of the
ultra silver men, who will have
nothing short of free coinage and some of the
gold bags. who care for no metal that is not
yellow, dismiss the proposition without consid-
ering 1t. A number on the other hand already
believe that the solution of the whole problem
is made in this report.