The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1892-01-22
a DeEP-LAIO SCHEME.
The Democrats Prepared to Make Free
Silver the Leading Issue.

/ Silver the Leading Issue.
Among many ciphers Mr.. Bland is a
significant figure. The meaning of
many appointments by Speaker Crisp
may be questioned, but Bland means
free silver. If there were any doubt
/ about it, the other names on the COIN
age committee would remove that
doubt Of the thirteen members five
democrats and one republican voted
for free coinage last year, and three
new men. Eppes (dem.), of Virginia;
McKeighan farmers alliance), of Ne
braslza, and Johnson (rep), of North
Dakota, are reckoned as sure to vote
for free coinage. If the two repub-
licans should stand with their party
for the measure adopted last year, the
six democrats and one farmers alli-
ance member would still constitute a
majority.
So we are to have free-coinage bill
reported as soon as possible, Mr.. Bland
declares. and doubtless passed by the
house. In the senate the prospect is
against such bill, and yet, in view of
the formal action of alliances in some
states. it might have a majority. But
the business world is undisturbed, be-
cause it has faith in President Har-
rison. He stands like rock for sound
money, and no one imagines that he
would consent under any circum-
stances to sign a bill for unlimited
coinage of silver. His latest message
holds that the country ought to give
fair and full trial to the silver act passed
last year. If the president sends in a
veto it will be a powerful argument
and a ringing appeal to the friends of
honest money. Beyond a doubt it
will be sustained by the senate. Then
a sharp issue will be made for the next
presidential campaign, which is just
what the Crisp democrats want.
Their tactics make silver the main
issue next year. They see that the
farmers alliance will make democratic
success impossible in several southern
states by running third ticket unless
the main body of alliance voters,
namely, those who are fanatically
anxious for more money. can be drawn
to the democratic side by some
positive act. A vote for unlimited
coinage followed by a vote, these
democrats reason, would capture for
them the sympathy of So many
alliance men at the south that no third
ticket would be run unless where it
would do democrats nc harm. On the
other hand, they reason that the
alliance republicans at the west who
want more money, and particularly
free silver, will go back to their old
party in a body, unless a sharp issue is
presented on which their sympathies
are with the democrats. The hope is
to win their vote, or at least to hold
them in opposition to the republicans
by forcing the silver issue upon the
country.
To keep the south and to win any
thing at the west, according to this
theory. free-coinage bill has become
an imperative necessity. IT is not ex-
pected to become a law, in fact, the
help of many democratic members is
expected on the ground that the bill
cannot become a law, and SO their
votes can do no harm and they run no
risk while helping their party to sue
cess. 1t is needless to discuss the
honesty of such policy. 1t is plainly
the policy which the Crisp democrats
are going to force upon the party if
they can, and there is no doubt that it
will command large majority of
votes in the house.
What the country has to say to these
men is simply the direction spoken of
old to Judas: THAT thou doest, do
quickly" Let not long debate and I'M
certainty PROSTATE business through
out the land. The prospects of trade
and industry are now exceptionally
bright A long contest about the sill
yer question would almost inevitably
shake confidence and arrest business.
must be played. Make the harm to
business as brief and little as possible.
Send the bill to the senate in a single
day; what is the use of congressional
debate about it? The senate ought to
be able to act. on a question exhaust
lively discussed last year and then de-
cided, without delay or talk. If the
bill goes to the president at all he will
not take weeks or even days to make up
his mind what to do, congress may be
sure. The republican party is exceed
ingly willing to meet this issue before
the people. All it has to ask is that
the industries and trade of the country
shall be harmed as little as possible
while the question is pending in con-
gress. After that the democrats will
see how wise they have been.-N. Y.
Tribuup