Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-17
WASHINGTON.
SILVER MEMS VICTORY OVER THE
wINDoM-HARRlsoN COMBINATION.
Virginia Farmers Demand the Most Lib
eral Policy Regarding silver--A sug-
gcstion as 10 the Nominee for '92.
IFrOn Our Resul.r c0rrs.pOaaontl

WASHINGTON, April f6.-In spite of all
the tricks of Sneaker Reed in seemingly
packing the House Committee on Coinage,
Weights. and Measures in the interest or
the "gold-bugs" and money-sharks, the
silver men have practically won victory
ana have whipped the HARRISON WINDOW
combination.
This could never have been done but for the
almost solid support Of silver by the Democrats
OF tne West and south. All OF mo hepnoucans
are Dy no means gold buge," but Nhero tneIe
isone Democrat that leans That way there are
IRON ITO 70 three Republicans IN tnls country
who would like to drive silver out OF circulation
and TX things so that the money sharks couiu
thrive and grow rich AZ the expense oi
tno masses OF the people. Ino ps."o o'
which havc been rolling into Congress sns ses-
eion favoring tho absolute free coinage OF snVer
nave had a wonderful effect. These peuuons
have come by the thousands from every western
aud southern State, aad the signecs represent
tne producing classes. They nave peen "uuCe-
ted to know what they want, aud there Is an iIi-
felngonce IN the demands being made mat may
well cause congressman who are soaky on sllyer
20 pause aud reflect before they vote any more
Win ihe " gold-bugs" OF the bast.
VIRGINIA PETITIONS.
Comparatively speaking, the number OF peti-
tons OF this character that have been sent
from Virginia is very large. There have also
been received here any number OF highly
creditable letters from farmers In Virginia
by members Of Congress. ono In par
ticular that deserves mention came from
Mr. j. ". Rhodes. Of Albemarle county, a gsu-
tlenan who has taken great interest in matters
mat Affect the agricultural classes OF tho State.
to mas very pronounced views on The siiyerQues-
tion, and the general drit Of the sentiment as
he reports It among farmers IL that they demand
the most liberal policy regarding tho silver
question.
REEDS MISTAKE.
Speaker Reed thought he had packed tho
House committee In favor OF tho Window Harri-
son policy, and these are tho members uDon
wnom he relied TO stand up moderately Mt least
II not altogether Tor the deceiying straddling
policy OF this Administration Messrs .Conger Of
Iowa, chairman OF tao coInmttee1 Wickham Of
ONO, walker ot Massachusetts,. Knapp of New
York, Taylor OF Illinois, Tracy Of New York, and
WILCOX, OF ConnecticuL In his attempt 10 ex-
cuse the republican party from tho entire re-
sponsiDnity he put two pronounced Demo
Messrs Tracy Of New York and Wilcox Of
Connecticut. He also put on tho same commit
tee Mr.. hutchlor OF Pennsylvania, whom he re-
garded Is doubtful, but that gentleman was a
close personal friend Of the late Mr. Randall,
and Mr.. Randall was always q friend Of silver
regardless OF the Pennsylvania idea az TO money.
80 MIR. Mutchler after all IL not with tho gold
bugs to any alarming extent Mr.. Nckhsm,
OF Ohio was counted upon 10 aid the gold
bugs As he is Republican: but he has heard
something drop and concluded 10 go with the
silver men, All the other members of the COM
mittee are siannch silver men.
SILVER THE MAIN ISSUE.
Conyorsat ons with leading Democratic con-
grossmen from the West prove that the silver
question ont that way Is regarded as paramount
10 the tarln or any other Issue. and they declare
that II the Democratic party will nominate some
one In 1892 who Is right on silver the party
can carry several States which have hith-
erto gone Republican. They say that had
not MIR. Cleveland been against silver coinage
he would certainly have carried California,
Nevada, and possibly Colefado in 1883. Harrison
was then supposed 10 be n strong silver man,
but ho has since gone back on bis record. and
has allowed Secretary Window 70 dictate tho
financial policy OF the Administration Ia the In
terest OF Wall street
Tho prevailing impression is that tho bill TO
DO reported wi4 practically approach free coin
age, but the bill could never be passed but for
Democratic votes IN the Senate and House.
The Democrats are driving the Republicans 10
action, and the votes Will show which party Is
the more loyal friend TO the silver dollar.