New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-08
THE MISTAKE or THE SILTER MEN.

THE MISTAKE or THE SILTER MEN.
The discussion of the silver question in the
Senate might about as well he closed with as
little delay as possible. II makes no difference
in the pre,cn, state OF things what financial
measure that body adopts. For, unless the DIS
position Of Republican Congressman Is entirely
misapprehended no such measure can become
law bv an alliance with Democrats in antago-
ni<m to the pledges and policy Of the Repuo-
Ucan party. \ Senator known as ono OF the
most ardent advocates of silver coinage Is re-
portcd as saving that the vote in the Senate
l'puttinc aside the Election bill was 81 the worst
possible mistake for the friends Vcf silver
Whether he made this statement or not. 1t IS
manifeStly true The House has right 10 1cei
that it has been afflonted and most unfairly
treated by the refusal OF the senate 10 act upon
a measure vitally important to members OF the
House only. upon which depends the purity OF
elections of Representatives. The President
also regards the Election bill as measure
which the Republican party is bound by the
most sacred obligations TO act upon without
delay.
1t seems to be the theory of certain silver
Senators that they can cOercc the large ma
/
Election bill to he passed until free coinage has
been granted. When that has been done some
of them are reported As saying, they are ready
to 90 as far as anybody else in upholdlng re
publican principles. But Senators and Repre-
scntativcS are human beings. and as such eX-
cpedinglv likely 10 be governed by human tenn
per and motives Eight men may often lnfn-
onco forty. but do not often dictate to forty
lie. hon ~
tempted dictaiion is by cooperating with Dem
ocrat, AGAINST a measure upon which the nee
dom and purity of elections depends the ma
iority is ant to feel strong and not unjust IN
dignation.
The way on: OF this legislative deadlock Is
easy and obvious. II Senator Jones, senator
Plumb or any other recognized leader OF what
i called 1.-The silver party" will move TO adopt
rule empowering majority in tho senate 20
| terminate debate, and will secure Tor that rule
the support Of his associates, and VIII tneh
move TO take up and act upon the Elec'lOh "lli
at once, he can probably get all the assurance
he desires that full free and Immediate con
sjderation can then be given 10 any hnancIal
measure But an alliance Of Democrats with
small minority Of Republicans 70 defeat party
measure of the greatest importance is not hkcly
to dictate successfully to the President or To
the House Of Representatives.
There has been a growing disposition l"I
some weeks past to regard with less OF apple-
hensiOn measures which couple unleStlaned
coinage of silver with more or less hfpeful safe
guards such as are embraced in the bill proposed
bv Mr.. Il. John. On the ground that many lie
uubljcan voters want the experiment tried. and
/ b,t will of
them until il has been tried, some have even
inclined 10 withdraw all opposition seeking
only 10 secure provisions defending the cur
rency from possible debaScment III the nope tha'
the powoIle>Sne>s Of free coinage for good might
he recognized before any serious harm would
he done But an alliance with Democrats
against Republican measures does not tend TO
nromo,c any financial legislation whatever. II
the silver Senators appeal TO the Democratic
marty they will have to look to that party. such
as il u.s. for whatever favor and aid they want
They know how destitute that party j. OF ca
pacity for WISE legislation. lnhapplly. me
country does not forget the persistent tenden-
cieS Of Democracy toward reputation ana all
! forms of financial dishonesty. The action III the
/ Senate tends T. make sincere Republicans more
diSpc>ed 10 place upon the Democratic party
all Responsibility for monetary legislation being
well aware that the tendencies Of that party
Ieorve it's measures OF public confidence, ana
almost inevitably insure their Illuminating fail
u,c If the so-calIed friends Of silver have to
report to their constituents that, by uniting
with Democrats. they have rendered all none
tary legislation impossible this year, and in
c,lcnIably diminished it's chances in future
wears they may not receive the approval Tor
which they are striving.