Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-12
FIGURING FOR 1892.
Very Little Change in the Situation
on the Democratic Side.
THE PRESIDENT SCORES A POINT
EFFECTS OF THE FORCE BILLS DEATH
rrRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT,


litical situation remains practically un-
changed" said a prominent politician at
the Fifth Avenue yesterday. Several
very important events, however, occurred
within the last week bearing directly upon
the issues and candidates of the day. From
this point of view the situation is worth the
careful consideration of the political think
ers of both parties.
"For instance, there is the force bill,
upon the passage OF which both parties laid
so much stress, but which is now eoncededly
skelyed in the Senate of the United States.
The passage OF the force bill would, from
one point of view, have been a great ad-
vantage to the Democratic party, and from
another point OF view the radical element of
the Republican party had reason to expect
great crop of political capital. OF precisely
how much advantage it would have been to
either party, or of how much disadvantage,
nobody can tell. Granting that the force
bill has been permanently shelved, and 1
think it has, it will be wholly eliminated
from the issues to come before the people in
the next presidential canvass. But, in con-
nection with the force bill there is another fea-
ture OF almost equal importance, so far as the
candidature is concerned, which has come into
additional prominence, and that is the ques-
tion OF silver and free coinage. 1t has been
well known that a considerable body of both
Houses is in favor of liberal silver meas
ures. and perhaps a large majority of the
House of Representatives is in
Favor of Absolute Free Coinage.
Yet it was not distinctly known until in
juxtaposltion with the force bill that silver
held such a decided position in Congress.
Whether deal has been made between the
silver Republicans in the Senate and the
Democratic Senators with reference to the
force bill and silver, it is unquestionably a
fact that free coinage stands good deal bet
ter chance of being adopted at this session
than ii ever did before. Now, in its rela-
tion to the Presidential candidature you
will readily see where it affects aspirants.
Mr.. Cleveland is fully committed against
the reconciliation of silver as proposed in a
free coinage act. There was some rumor
that he had recanted in this respect
through Senator Vest of Missouri; but
on the floor of the Senate last
Tuesday that Senator took occasion to
denv that he had held any communca-
tion whatever with Mr.. Cleveland on the SUBJ
jeci. From Mr.. Vests statement, and the fact
that he thought that statement necessary, it
would naturally seem that a great deal of
interest is being taken in these particular
points OF the political situation by his party.
] know that is the fact in the far West In
my opinion this same silver question will
prove a stumbling block for both parties
before it is distinctly defined as political
issue. 1t is more from the fact perhaps that
there is loud call throughout the country
for an addition to the present volume of
currency than from any direct sympathy
with the silver interests. The recent money
tringency-continued stringencv 1 might
sav-is Likely to give more serious turn to
The silver issues than could otherwise have
been hoped for by its most eXtravagant and
enthusiastic Colorado and Nevada advocates.
Hill Not Candidate for Governor.
Another political event of some import
ance, from national point of view, is that
which is associated with Governor Hills
last message. His declaration that it was
his last annual message to the New York
Legislature is well known to mean some
thing more than a mere casual allusion or
passing expression. Hills nearest friends
have already given out that he would not
be candidate for denomination fer the gov
ernorshIp. A good many people, both
friends and enemies of Mr.. Hill. declined to
accept their statements. Mr.. Hill himself
has now made formal and official declara-
tion on that subject, and from other cor
as fact that Hill cannot be relied upon to
bear the brunt of another gubernatorial
fight What has this to do with the ma
tional situation? / will tell you. 1t lessons
the complication in New York. 1t shows
that Mr.. Hill is not going to be disposed of
quite as easily as a good MANY people
Imagine. 1t removes one of the possibili-
ties. He must now either take the Senator
ship or stand a declared candidate for the
presidential nomination at the hands of his
party. When that other possibility as to
the senatorship shall have been re-
moved the issue will, of course, be more
distinct. The probabilities are that we
shall learn before the end OF this month lust
what David B. Hill intends to do with re-
gard to the Senatorship, as we have learned
in his message his disposal of the guberna-
torial question. Speaking of Hill, did YOU
notice that in bis message that while be
deals with the question OF force bill that he
has nothing to say about the tariff? Well,
you read that message and draw YOUR own
inierences. l presume that the message was
written before the force bill was disposed of,
at least that portion of it, But in nv
opinion the tariff question is of great deal
more importance to the general public.
than the force bill ever was.
Harrison's Friends in Indiana.
"Yes, there is another move on the gen.
eral board which is worthy of attention.
I his is the manipulation of the Republican
State Central Committee in Indiana bv the
political friends of President Harrison.
This ought to dispose of all the doubts, if
any doubts still exist, as to Harrison's de-
sire for denomination. All the denials in
the world, or subterfuges, cannot remove
the impression of this really fIst overt act
A g -l-4a l.
too, am told, by the Indiana Republicans
The friends Of Mr.. Harrison were brought
from the far West, and his son Russell
Joined them in the work of manipulating
the central committee. OF course, these
things are small affairs, but the
political thinker must take ac-
count of every one of them in
coming to reasonably correct conclusions as
to the future. Every move now made upon |
the chess board is worthy of careful consid- |
Grafton, for it is early in the game that the !
really sstute politician gets in his fine work. |
There is one thing which none of us can at |
present foresee, but which may change the |
situation materially for both parties. Should |
Congress pass free coinage bill this session. |
will President Harrison veto it, or will he |
sign it? Can anybody answer me that? |
Hostile as a large element of his party is |
toward him and his aspirations for a renom- |
nation, Mr.. Harrison would have it within |
his power to make himself formidable can |
lidate in disposing of the question of |
silver when it comes before him. 1t seems |
10 be the general impression that he would |
not sign the free coinage bill. 1 am in doubt |
myself on that point. Nevertheless, with |
sufficient majority of his party in Congress |
In favor OF such measure it would not be |
strange if he should set aside any scruples |
which he may entertain against silver and |