The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-02-14
EABLKNBR'S FLOP.
The West Virginia Senator on
the Cleveland Letter
DEMOCRATIC IDOL SMASHED.
Ex.President Cleveland No Longer a
Leader Because of His Stand
on the Silver Question.
Mr.. sprInger's Position.

wAsHlHGroN. D. O., Feb. Ex-senator
Faulkner, Of West Virginia, is out in an
interview which practically reads
Grover Cleveland out Of the list Of posi-.
Utilities for the Democratic Presidential
nomination. He probably voices the
sentiment OF nearly every Democratic
member Of the United States Senate.
"Thers will be twofreat Issues IN the
next Presidential campaign" J" said sena.
tor Faulkner this afternoon. 1--WE shall
continue to discuss the tariff question,
and the country will be called upon to
settle this debate on the matter Of sll.
yer. The mere fact that this Congress
has enacted the ideas OF the Congress.
sionai and monop0listiG majority into
law does not tie the hands or silence the
tongues OF those who believe that duties
should be reduced. The West cries for
low tariff, and the South is no less
anxious for an equitable adjustment OF
our present schedules, while in the
East our doctrine Is making steady pro-
gress.
$50 far IS silver is concerned there
will be an unanimous demand FROM the
South and West for legislation which
will give US free coinage. The people
demand this aud the favorable response
il bound to come before long, Every
Democratic state convention, with but
four or five exceptions, has favored free
o.;aona and mn nau,nnHof ooO nnnOua nv
evade the ISSUE"
"Who do you suppose will represent
the Republican party in the fight OF '922"
"Blaine, If he wants the honor. l
do1bt very sincerely, though, whether
he would accept the nomination. His
family is opposed to his bearing any
more weighty political burden than he
now has and it may bs that the members
OF Mr.. Blaine's household will prevail.
II he does not want the nomination,
then the field Is large one. lido not
think Harrison eau possibly receive con-
sideration. His administration has not
only failed to strike responsive chord
in the popular breast, but has practical.
ly aiienated the political affection Of
Republican leaders. II it is not Blaine,
no man can safely prcphesy as 10 who 1t
will be-"
"And the Democratic candidate2"
"Hnrd to tell. Upto yesterday it was
certainty for Cleveland; to-day the ap- |
pearance OF things has changed some.
what. Itis perhaps too early to venture
an opinion az to the general effect Of |
Mr.. Cleveland's silver letter, but 1t looks |
as though the Democratic party must
either fofsake its emphatically expressed
principles Oh the question OF free coinage |
or decline To follow Mr.. Clevsland's |
leadership"
"This silver question has resolved
itself into matter Of principle and
have no doubt that we shall be- called
upon 10 do good deal OF educational
work in the ranks OF the Democratic
party in the East. Not 80 long ago We
were more or less divided as to the tariff
problem, but an educational campaign
showed that our position was founded
on living principle; q principle that
must ultimately be triumphant. II
may be that good many Democrats will
need educating on silver, but it is du.
bious as 10 whether we can succeed in
educating Mr.. Cleveland before the ma
tional Democratic convention mseIs in
1892"
Silver will not down, say the free
coinage men in Congress. Mr.. Cleve.
lands letter and President Harrison's
threats not to sign free coinage bill to
the contaary notwithstanding. The ad.
yocates OF the white metal are growing
white.hot as the end Of the session
draws close, and they continue to de-
clare that they intend to force the fight.
ing from this time on.
The plan ia for Mr., Bland to rise In
the House and move to discharge the
Committee on Coinage, Weights and
Measures from the further consideration
Of the Senate Silver bill. This the
Speaker will rule ont Of order, and then
an appeal from the decision OF the chair
will be taken. On that appeal the silver
men expect to show their entire strength.
II the chair is overruled, then tho Sen.
ate free coinage bill will go through.
All this means the making OF great
deal OF useless trouble for the bill. II
passed and sent to the White House
will not be signed by the President
Only three days ago President Harrison |
told two Senators that under no circum.
STANCES would he alfjx his signature 10 a
free coinage bill. Under these circum.
stances, why should the remaining days
Of the session be wasted upon an at
tempt to accomplish the impossible ?
Why not devote all the time To necessary
and possible legislation?