The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-06-24
: rEEsUnrruous cosvEnr.

Mr.. Francis @. Newiands, late Of Caiifof-
mia. but now constructively and for pur-
pose c.tisen OF Nevada. has assumed to
Be the Sir Oracle Of the silver situation, and
- such the critic, censor and guide OF the
Republican party in rotation thereto. II is
but few weeks since Mr.. Newiands con-
descended to announce his adhe don to the
Republican party. Previously and for
many years he had been an active member
Of the Democrats State Central COMMITTEES
Of California and influential in the councils
Of that party.
The detection Of Mr.. Newlands from the
Democratic party was in measure due 10
the treatment which that party bestowed
upon the absurd aspirations Of Justics Field
for presidential nomination. Of which Mr..
Newlands was . rabid advocate. But In 4
larger measure his detection was caused by
the inheritance Of portion Of the late Sem
ator Sharon's millions. which made him a.
eligible - he was ambitious to represent
Nevada in the Senate, which il were easier
to accomplish BY . change Of political pro-
fession.
But not satisfied with springing at once
to the front - . candidate for the Senate
in the party he had but just Joined, he has
presumed, through the medium Of inter-
views intended for publication, to read
the riot act to the Republican President
and Secretary Of the Treasury. and with
them the old and respected leaders Of the
party in and out OF congress. Virtually
this bold neophyts has read Harrison,
Window, Reed, Mckinley. Edmunds,
sherman and Morrill, out Of the Republican
party, and has been the inspiration Of .
warning that . distinctivsly silver party
will b created and the Republican party
crushed unless II shall bow strictly to the
line that this rash convert has marked out.
There IL no room TO doubt or question
that the Republican party Is intelligsntly
and ovsrwhslminsiy favorable TO liberal.
judicious. sensible legislation on the silver
question. But the thoughtful masses Of
that party distinguish the difference b.
tween those who view the silver question
with reference 10 . selfish and unscrupu-
lous deal" and those who view It - .
great question Of finance and currency,
intimately connected with the commercial
and industrial interests Of the country.
Republicans almost without exception
are In favor Of such treatment Of silver Is
win amply protect and foster one Of the
great industries OF the country-that Of sill
yer production--and at the same tims givs
solid basis to . safe and much-needed In
crease of sound currency. Such increase,
moreover, with it, incidental protection to
silver production. must necessarily enhance
the value Of the white metal. which in
evitably must have an instant favorable
effect on commerce and agriculture.
In respect to tho latter-esrecially wheat
productson-every reany added to the
price of silver bullion is just SO much pro-
lection to American against the wheat Of
India and other silver consuming coun-
tries from which England and other Euro
pean countries draw supplies. With silver
at q rate which makes standard dollar
equivalent 10 but IS cents in bullion. Eng.
hand buying and using the latter in her
trade with India, gives just that advantage
to Indian wheat over that produced by the
American farmer. The American farmer
must charge . dollar for his wheat in order
10 obtain for II the same amount OF silver
that viii buy an equal amount of Indian
wheat for IS cents. And Just to the extent
that silver Is raised 70 purity with gold,
just TO that extent the disadvantage OF thu
American farmer viii be removed. And
just 80 with regard to all Of our commercial
transactions with silver-consnming coun-
tries.
Ii Is quite apparent that thus viewed the
silver question vitality affects something.
and far more than the mere interests of the
silver states. II widely and enormously
affects commerce and agriculture through.
out the country. II is. therefore. the
height Of presumption for Mr.. Newlands
and his confreres 10 assume q monopoly Of
knowledge on this subject. or TO dictate the
enact manner OF its treatment 1t is no, =
deal in silver mining stocks. nor q speo.
ulasion in silver bullion that the country at
large is concerned about bat broad and
rational treatment OF the subject in its
broadcast aspects And IT present, on this
subject. the Republican party would prefer
10 trust and follow its old and trusted
leaders. rather than Nv of At q sansens un-
der the lead OF proselyies whose wisdom
and devotion TO the party are yet to be
tested.