Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-28
Not tho leSne.

We argued last summer that there was
but one question upon which the Demo
Gratis In Congress were in danger OF d.
viding at the session Of 1912. namely,
the silver question that as the Repno-
licans constituted n majority OF the men,
bers of the Senate, they would not be
likely TO pass any bill which would remove
that bone of contention between the BIZ
metallsts and monometallists Of the Demo
cratic marty. The condition OF things in
Washington at present proves that that
forecast" WIS good Que. The Re
publicans do not seem 10 be r1r-
bling themselves at all either TO Sc
cure the full monetization OF silver
or to repeal the law now upon tho
sta;ute-book, which provides for the pur-
chase and coinage annually OF hfty-
four millions Of silver dollars. On the
contrary. they act "a If the Demo
Gratis were responsible for the existing
condition Of things and were to be held
responsible for IT by the Republicans de-
spite the fact that these latter have the
President of the United States and control
the Senate. There are several pro-siiyer
Kepublican members in the Senate. but
thew seem 10 have concluded not to fight
the battle Of free coinage themselves, but 70
leave il TO the Democratic members TO DO
So
We might, therefore. say to-day OF the
Republicans in Congress what we SAID yes
terday Of the Democrats In that body
20 wit. that they have ordered the SILVER
question to the rear. Certainly that ques-
fion is not now n practical one, seeing
that il is absolutely certain that President
UAnRrsos would veto fTee-coinage OH
even if both houses of Congress were 10
pass one. He is totally opposed to any
debasement" Of tho currency.
BY the way, we never write upon the
subject OF free coinage without wondering
what has become Of the sixty or eishy
thousand Alliance men in Virginia who,
we were told last summer. would never
cast their votes for any candidate opposed
10 that measure. They seem 70 have dis
appeared from the public arena. They
hold their peace whilst caucuses IN WASH
lngton are discussing this all-important
question and whilst the st. Louis conven-
ton passes resolutions demanding the con-
sideration OF the same. More: The Trans
mississippi Congress of Friday last, IN New
Orleans. was composed of solid delegations
of free-coinage advocates from Colorado
Idaho, Montana. Nevada, Wyoming. Arizo-
ma. New Mexico. backed ty majority dele
cations from Mississippi and Texas. and
contained majority delegations against
free coinage from only Kansas, Louisiana
and Nebras ka-these backed by SOLID dele
cations Of anti-s;lverites from only Iowa
and Arkansas making the Congress con-
sist of l42 advocates Of free coinage 70 y
against It. And yet the Virginia Alliance
men are not heard from. Do not these
facts indicate Enthusiastically that free coin.
age is not to be the controlling issue in the
presidential election Unquestionably. But
surely they do not also indicate that thu
advocates of the dollar Of the daddles are
going 10 ground their arms. There IS, IL
fact, 10 doubt that tho Chicago conyen'
ton will pass an ambiguous resolution on
this subject. Free coinage IS growing IL
importance every day. The restle'sness OF
India under the unjust laws which de
base her rupees and compel her TO con
slider the expediency Of single gold stand
ard will result in a bright future for sill
yer.
We repeat our interroga'ory: Where are
the $4,000 Alliance men of Virginia?