New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-23
WHIT THE ISSUE SHALL BE

WHIT THE ISSUE SHjIb i'>'
That is 4 curious discussion which - gong
on in Democratic papers on the question Whethef
the issue in the mex. Presidential campaign shall
be the silver question or the tanii question:
One would suppose, to read what intelligent
Journals arc saving on this topic, that the Dem
ocratic managers alone had power to determine
which Issue they would make the turnng-point
in the next campaign that the Republican, party
had nothing to say about it, and. especially that
the course of events and the opinions and wishes
of the great body of the people had no contr"i
in the matter. The Democratic politician dis
cusSoS whether it is better for his party to put
ND Hill and make fight on the silver question:
hoDng to capture some OF the Western states
~ 70 nat ND Cleveland and make the fight on
he tariff question. 1t is apparently assumed
that the Democratic politician can do just what
he pleasc'.
Unfortunately for his plans, the prospect OF
gaining anything on the silver question has been
much overloaded. This is not merely because
of Mr.. ClevclandS recent letter. nor wholly on
account oi the defeat of coinage propositions by
the sturdy fidelity OF Republicans in Congress.
II is the fact a. the Governor Of Montana reports
in a letter read before the House Committee on
Coinage on Thursday, that public opinion oven
in the silycr-prcducing States is changing rapid
". and not in favor Of free coinage. When orc
of the largest silver producers i'll that state
himself teStiie> that the present Republican law
is in his judgmen, better for the silver producers
than unlimited coinage would be, and gives cN-
ccllcnt reasons for that belief. it is clear
that something is changing the temper oi the
people in that region Moreover, the ShleWdcr
Democrat, have begun to perceive that. Ii thcy
allow the silver question to he prominent III the
next campaign. they are certain to lose huch
of their support at the East, and thus to SacIi-
fee States without which they cannot succeed
MEANWHILE the course Of events Will 90 some
thing 10 settle the matter, and 10 determine WITH
out consent OF Democratic managers what snail
be the controlling Issue in the next campaign.
The change Of public opinion regarding the ;aril
is going on steadily in nearly all pats 81 the
country Us the useful influence Of the new Ia"
begins to be fel; Nevertheless. il is impossible
that the Democratic majority in the next House,
being overwhelmingly large, should fail 70 ACT
on the tariff question. In recent elaborate
discussion of the prospects Democratic journal
maintains taat the House will oi course pass u
certain bill or bills changing the tariff Ma
terally. and making wool and some other prod
ucts free of duty and then reasons that such a
bill would pass the Senate. Although the Re
publicans will have four majority in the next
senate. this journal claims sufficient number
Of Republicans ave in favor OF lower duties 10
turn the scale and even to give the country Tree
wool. ii is quite possible that this !niGHt be
true, if there were not some doubt on The other
| hand WhctHcr certain Democratic Senators would
not vote against any measure OF the character
indicated. But lei il be supposed, for tn" mo-
men; tina; such a bill will be passed IS the
next House and also by the Senate by bare
majority. Have the industries of the country
any reason to apprchcnd that such a change will
take place?
Evidently the Democratic journals are forget
ting that President Harrison will possess the
veto power until March A. 1898. 1t is not con
| ceivahlc that measure Of the character midi
Gated will become Il law unless a two-thiriS ma
| iority in both houses can be found in favor of IT,.
| Not even the widest FrceTIadc enthusiast
! imagneS that such vote can be found in the
senate nor can there be a doubt dS TO the course
| of the President should such 4 measure ever
| reach him. If nc were to consider personal in
! tcrcSt or the interests OF his party he would
realize that rare opportunity was offered to
command public confidence and gratitude II
he considered only the question of'paty tactics
he would sec that veto Of such Il bill WOald
! force the tariiT Issue in foim peculiarly adyan-
tageous TO the Republican party. If he conSid-
cred, as President Harrison unqueStlOnaby will
consider. the welfare of the country and the
prosperity Of It's industries, he will aSsuedly lca-
son that the act signed by him last ycarhaS not
yet had timc to manifest Its full influence, and
| that the industries Of the country ought not to
be disturbed by a change of the tariff until that
act has been fully tested. Thus veto may be
counted upon with certainty, and the Demo
cratic party will not overcome that veto in the
| Senate.