New-York tribune., 1891-02-20
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HTIL rs CLEVELiND.

Where Governor Hill stands on the silver
question Democrats are prOicsScdly ANXIOUS to
know. But the mystery about it is principally
of their own making, and made for the purpose
Of having him appear in some sort Of harmony
with President Cleveland In answer to re-
cent inol,iIy. Governor Hill declared that he
wished to adj nothing on that subject TO ms
Brooklyn speech, September 90, 1890. III which,
referring to the act OF last year, he said ii
puts a heavier strain upon our resources Than
free bimetaC coinage without foreign CO.
oparatiou would do. and ObstNlctS our progress
toward that end which we all desire to reach
the free coinage of silver under proper in-
ternationa ratio
Aiter all possible allowance for the ShiftineSs
and verbal dcXterty of an adrOit politician, no
body can mistake the declaration that free
coinage Of silver is :" the end which we all de-
sire 10 reach" The phrase "under proper
International ratio may OF may not mean that
Governor Hill would throw away the $500
100000 of standard silver now coined al the
ratio of Is 70 /. and begin coming all over at
the French ratio of l. IL TO /, thus giving
silver a valuation in coinage even further from
its actual value than the existing law provides.
IF So he is only a little mole unwiSe and Icck-
less than the silver fanatics al Washington.
Had he said that all desired coinage under Il
proper bimctallic agreement with other ma
tions TO Join therein. that would have meant
a different thing, but that was precisely what
he took care not to say He obviously wished
at that time TO catch the approval of Western
and Southern Democrats. who were just then
going wildly for unqualified free coinage OF
silver and substantially all the Democratic SEN
atorS and Representatives from those sections
had Just voted for that measure. Imagining the
party so far united that he could afford to speak
without reserve ON that matter. he declared free
coinage of silver the end which all desired 10
reach.
President Cleveland, on the contrary, declares
it reckless and dangerous experiment. True,
he took great care to keep silent when the cur
rent of Democratic opinion was sweeping solid
ly toward shat dangerous experiment. He only
ventnred to speak against it after Republican
fidelity had made Democratic success on that
line impossible. But nevertheless he spoke,
and Governor Hill has since been called upon
to speak, but has refused TO modify his Gccarl-
ton Of last September He must be held to de-
clare even now that the end which all Democrats
desire is that which Alr. Cleveland declares a
dangerous and reckless experiment.
No doubt Governor Hill has the party with
him. An overwhelming majority of Democrats
favor nOw. as they have favored ever since the
War any measure for the debaSement Of the
currency and the substitution of cheap money
for good money When that same party nom
mated Mr. Tildcn after the Resumption Act had
been passed not even his reputation and record
and influence could restrain it from demanding
the repeal Of that act. ShouId Mr.. Cleveland
be nominated next year, on platform demand
ing that same free coinage which he now de-
nounceS. the whole world would understand the
wish and intention Of the party. and his ac-
ceptance would be virtual pledge to abide by
the decision Of the convention and to carry ont
its wishes. The purpose which Governor Hill
openly avoWs is that which the eX-Presdent de-
nounces. but il nevertheless is the purpose of
the party, as its votes III Congress prove.