The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-02-17
SILVER MEN IN EARNEST.
The Friends of Free Silver Coinage
Will Make Themselves Heard
at Washington.
Prominent Men from Several
States at the Capital for
That Purpose.
They Are Solid in Their Opposition 10
Windows Bill aud They VIII
They Are Solid in Their Opposition 10
Windows Bill, and They VIII
Defeat II.

The strongest lobby which has come TO
Washington in ten years is here this winter,
says the correspondent of the st. Louis
Globe Democrat. Its openly ayowed pur-
pose is 10 shape silver legislation. II is n
lobby strong in numbers and mighty in IN
fluence. There is not the slightest indica-
tion that the big bank accounts represented
erly. No votes are to be bought with cash.
No distribution Of slush is contemplated.
The silver lobby is organized for differ
ent plan of action, and because II does not
contemplate TO resort TO the baser methods
of lobbying 1t will be more effective.
This silver lobby rallies around and re-
ceives its pointers from the national execu-
tive silver committee. Most notable in the
cotorie of leaders of this lobby is ex-Gov.
Routt OF Colorado. He was postmaster.
general soon after the war and then gov
ernor of Colorado by appointment OF Presi-
dent Grant before the Centennial state WIS
admitted. The people Of Colorado liked
him 80 well as territorial governor that they
made him the first governor of the state.
Gov. loutt found the beginning of his
second fortune in the Morning Star mine of
Leadville. lie has been active in national
politics ever since, and did So much for
GARFIELD that everybody looked 10 see him
recognized III some substantial way. Gov.
Routt has come to Washington TO stay un-
til the silver bill is passed.
The story teller aud the after-dinner talk
er OF the silver lobby is Col. Tom Fitch, of
Nevada, and of half dozen states and ter
ritorics. Col. Fitch hasn't silver mine or
big bank account, but he has a silver
tongue, which entertained the people of st.
Louis and of many other cities during the
last presidential campaign. Col, fltch's
stories and witty speeches this winter have
a bearing ON the white metal.
Fancis q. Newlands, OF Nevada "A son-in-
law of the late Senator Sharon, has house
in Washington. This winter Mr.. Newlands'
residence is the gathering place OF the sill
yer men when they wish TO talk over the
campaign quietly.
Frank NJ. Pixley, the editor of the Argo-
naut, and Edward :. Curtis, an associate
with Senator Stanford in some OF the lat
ter's enterprises, are two more of the lead
els in the big silver lobby.
Those who have been mentioned are on
tho ground all Of the time. Others come
and 60. There has been no day since New
Years thai from twenty 10 fifty mine own
efs, bankers and business men from beyond
the Rockies could not he found in the up
town hotels. But the significant fact about
their presence here was the ease with which
they gave silyery turn 20 all conversation
and urged the recognition of the white
metal on all possible occasions.
The silver lobby ~ against the Window
bill to begin with. Silver men declare en-
phatically that they will have no such
scheme. They say II is step In the wrong
direction. they call il a trick 10 complete
the decentralization of silver. to make gold
the only metal money, and To turn SILVER i'll
10 commodity. Upon accomplishing two
things the lobby ls bent. aud tn accom-
plish them il will stay with congress until
adjournment. These two thing are:
|. The rejection of the Window plan
making silver q commodity.
2. The passage of bill which shall be as
nearly free and unlimited coinage of silver
as President Harrison can be induced 10
approve.
The silver men have no fears of congress.
They have polled both houses and are satis-
fed OF a clear majority for the desired
silver legislation; but they are afraid of
going too far for fear President Harrison
may veto.
Tho support upon which the silver men
rely to put through their legislation is non
partisan. II includes about twO-thirds of
the q, IA cratic minority in each branch of
conglets and about one hall of the fepubli-
can minority. What the silver men are
working hardest 10 avert Is the drawing of
party lmos on the silver question. So far
they have been successful. They claim to
have with them the republican senators and
representatives from west OF the MISSISSIPPI
almost without exception.
The lobby has not put its views into def