New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-03
RrpURLTC1N MEdSURES SAFE.

The death Of Senator Hearst takes one from
the Democratic ranks in the Senate, and VIII
add another Republican, the Governor ana
Legislature of California being Republican. The
next Senate will therefore contain al least 4
Republicans, not counting the Farmers Alliance
member elected from Kansas or the lndoclat
from South Dakota while the Democrats Will
have 3S, leaving the seat from Illinois still
undecided This reckoning includes as a
Democrat the Independent Senator lrby from
South Carolina, who defeated a Democrat. In
any event, the Republicans will have work
ing majority Of six over all, but on the SILVER
question the majority for free coinage VIII be
larger than it is now, because Governor lllil OF
this State may be expected to vote according 10
his Brooklyn speech recently quoted, ana Sen
ator Spooner of Wisconsin will be displaced by
a Western Democrat But the existing Repub-
lican law will stand, for the strength OF the
silver men was not sufficient to pass Free
Coinage bill over a veto in January, wheh al
the Democrats were willing to vote for that
measure in order to bribe the silver senators to
defeat the Election BILL and it is safe to say
that some of them will not vote for the same
measure again. since Mr.. Cleveland has declared
aid Republicans would be able to sustain veto
but II is possible that as many Democrats VIII
hereafter vote against free coinage as there are
Republicans who will vote for it, so that the
bill may not even have majority in the senate
The situation as to the talff is by some eager
reformers' supposed 10 be doubtful. But the
substitution of a Republican for Senator Hearst
will give a clear majority of at least SIX IN any
event. and the action of one OF the Independent
Senators rs of the member not yet elected from
Illinois, cannot be predicted. NJ the last SeS-
sion three Republicans. Messls. Paddock oil Ne
braSSa. Plumb -Oi Kansas and Pettgrew ol
South Dakota voted against the new talii' but
if these should vote for is repeal or radical
amendment the Senate would at the worst be
equally divided, when the casting vote OF wee
presiden, Morton will be given for Protection
But il may be added that on many proposed
changes some Democratic Senators wOhid be
found voting against reduction OF duties
Even if it were possible 10 crowd through the
Senate a bill radically changing the taTl'i' me
Presidents veto would again be sufficient, Tor
il would be impossible to find seventeen EepuD-
Gcans who would vote with the Democrats 10
overcome it, The tariff is. Therefore, safe Tor
two years to come at least
But il Is suggested by Overwise Democrats
hat another combination can be formed, ana ny
a bargain the votes of all the silver senators
can be secured for repeal or radical change OIL
the tariff That scheme has III il 10 chance oil
success. All the Democrats and all the silver
Senators together would not be enough 10 over
come veto. Some Republicans who would
II, u.tn a
for a radical change Of the tariff, and some
Democrats who are eager 20 vote Tor iepca!
Of the tariff would utterly refuse to vote for
free silver coinage If the attempt Is ever tired
it will probably be found that the combination
bill will be weaker by several votes than either
Of the proposed measures by itself.
The work of this Congress OH this and other
great questions has been 50 done that IT VIII
stay done At least until the people have elect
ed another President and Congress at the cleo
tons in November Of next year, and after more
than full wears experience OF the new tanli
in beneficial operation, that measure will stand
to coniound It's enemies. When the Democrats
| have faced the Alliance members III the next
| House and recorded themselves on the meas
ures the Alliance will propose, we shall see how
far it is possible for voters in Republican States
| to be seduced again into giving the Democratic
party victory. The triumph OF that party last
wear will be found barren, at al events, unu
after new President has been inaugurated III
1893. Even then, although the Republicans
should yet fail IN Illinois this year, they would
| have only to carry in Presidential election tho
| Legislatures Of Rhode Island New York, Wis
cousin. Michigan and Nebraska, in addition t'
those now held or failing in either Of these, Of
| Minnesota, Montana or Delaware, to hold cleal
| majority in the Senate for two years more unit