New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-07
TIE FLFCTTON ELL SET ASIDE.

The votes of silver Senator's are not necei-
sarily hostile to the Republican party. True,
they put aside measure which is politically Of
vital importance But some of these Senators
profess to believe that the limitation OF debate,
without which the Election bill cannot be
passed. is at least rs necessary TO the success
of any financial measure. Others profess that
they have no agreement with the Democrats
in the matter. Yet il is the obvious tendency
of their action to render improbable any
financial legislation in the House.
The Election bill concerns almost exclusively
the mode Of choosing members of the youSc
of Representatives. II is therefore a measure
about which that body has q peculiar, il not
exactly an exclusive. right 10 determine. Near
~ every Republican member Of the House has
recorded his deliberate judgment that tho Lice
ton bill is a wise and necessary measure, and
one which the most solemn pledges Of the Re-
publican party require il 10 adopt. When the
Senate sets aside such n measure. relating 10
the choice Of members of the House alone, II
takes position which every Republican mem
Der of the House is liable 10 resent, and the
consequence may easily be the defeat Of some
measures which the majority in tho senate
favors including the free coinage Of silver.
Speaker Reed and his associates in the House
OF Representatives have considerable power 10
decide what measures shall he acted upon at
this short session. and they are not likely 70
look with favor on any men who sacrifice the
interests Of the Republican party in an alliance
with Democrats.
Therefore il remains for the silver Senators
themselves to show, by prompt and speedy
,,.ha. 4, bov Eat. nd In supb
combination. If they quickly and unhesitat-
ngly adopt the rules necessary 10 give the ma
i0rity in the Senate control OF proceedings in
that body and commit themselves without re-
serve to the support ~ the Election hill there
will be no ground for suppOSing that they have
engaged in barter with Democrats for the
defeat of that measure. But if they take a
different course, and help the Democrats TO de-
prive the majority in the Senate of lis rghtfu
power TO transact public business, the country
will no, be long in doubt about their political
relations.
Are these Senators ready to take the response
biIity Of unlimited coinage Of silver? Circum-
stances have impelled a majority cf Senators
20 vote for that step. partly because Democrats
could see no better means Of dividing the Re
phpIi' ia phi - d'N p1i ~ '''N''D''s ''''''
called silver Senators have not the courage 10
act according 10 their honest beliefs They
know that unlimited coinage of silver is likely
70 make great trouble. and how much trouble
they cannot forcsee Not few Of them frank
~ admit in private that they do not dare 10
vote for She measure at this time which they
publicly advocate with great carncStncss. But
they have constituents who are frantic and
fanatical on the silver question, and they have
not the pluck 10 tell these constituents plainly
that free coinage would throw away their hest
chance Of prosperity THE TRIBUNE does not
believe that all the Senators who to-day ady0-
cate free coinage oil silver are ready to take the
responsibility of thai measure. But if they are
ready to join with the Democrats in step so
dangerous 20 the public welfare, they have done
all that is in their power to render the adOp
ton of such measure improbable in the House
of Representatives.
This is good time b. stand by Republican
principles and pledges The policy of the Re-
publican party has been indicated by the his
tory Of the country, and sustained by the votes
OF millions Of Republicans. 1t will not be
abandoned by President Harrison or his Adj
miniStration, and it is by no means probable
that it will be abandoned by the Republican
House Of Representatives