Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-21
THE SILVER QUESTION AGAIN.

The financial measures which are pending
in the Senate seem likely to give an oppor-
tunity for the display of the strength of the
free silver Senators, and it is possible that
the amendments introduced by Senator
Reagan yesterday, providing for free
silver coinage, will afford the oppor-
tunity for that demonstration. If the sill
yer men should by their action re-
verse the attitude of some of the
House leaders, and declare that unless
free coinage is accepted the elections bill
shall not pass it might produce as interest
ing complications during the present session
as during the past one.
1t is clear that without the votes of the
silver men on the Republican side the
elections bill cannot be passed Those Sen
ators have been taking so clear a stand
against the elections measure that the doom
of the measure is generally regarded as
sealed. But intimations are not want
ing that the support of the Republican side
of the silver party can be obtained
for the elections bill, if free coinage is
given in exchange for it. 1t might be
supposed that a slate of that sort would
arouse the antagonism of the Democratic
silver Senators. But while they are fight
ing the elections bill, there is reason to i'm
agine that they might be willing to let the
bill be passed without their votes under an
arrangement by which they got something
in exchange for what they cannot help.
The passage of the bill would make the
South more solid tnan ever, and would keep
alive the old issues on which they hold their
tenure of Office. Of course, they could not
support the elections bill under any circum-
stances, but they might not deem it their
the two measures were put on the same
slate.
Concerning free coinage as possibility
of the situation, there is good deal to be
said pro and con. OF course, it is to be
recognized by an impartial observer that
currency system of the country to the
silver basis. The measure of values would
be probably about one-fith shorter
! than it now is, or in other words the general
range of values would be inflated twenty
per cent. This would be very disagreeablc
to the creditor class, but would present ex-
actly equivalent attractions to the debtor
class. To business at large it would give
the stimulus always supplied by an infa-
ton, and which nearly always must be paid
for by the reaction. This does not look verv
much in consonance with the principles
of sound economy. But the alternative prop
osition which is pending in the purchase
of silver bullion in S12, 900 blocks,
means the same thing ultimately; while free
coinage would free the legislation from the
suspicion that surrounds the purchase OF
bullion from the speculators' ring suspected
to have ramifcations within Congress ITSELF
A cogent objection to the free coinage
proposition is that it makes change which
should be effected gradually, if it is to be
made at all. But it is one of the misfor.
tunes of our political system that measures
offinancial character cannot be passed so az
to make their effect be extended over a term
of years. Under these circumstances the
country will have to take whatever Congress
| allots it