Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-01-07
TIE OUFL00K~As TO SILVER.

TIE OUTLOOK AS TO SILVER.
1t is certain that the house will pass
some form of free-coinage bill this year
| by an overwhelming majority. 1t is
scarcely less certain that the senate
will also pass the bill by strong major
ity. The record shows the upper house
to be not less certainly though some
what less overwhelming in favor OF
free coinage than the present lower
house.
A year ago last June the direct issue
of absolute free coinage was raised IN
the senate by Mr.. Plumb's amendment
to the Sherman purchase bill, and the
senate voted for free coinage by 43 to
"a, with II absentees, of whom we're
pretty certainly free coinage men. So
far as can be determined, the changes
made since that time in the personnel OF
the senate have not materially altered
the attitude or that body on the subject.
If they have made any change it is IN
the direction of free silver rather than
the other way.
It is practically certain, therefore, that
the bill contemplated by Mr.. Bland,pro'
viding free coinage for all American
silver hereafter to be produced. will pass
both houses this session. What will
~ n x,rae;da1< do xuifh if2
Mr.. Harrison is committed against
the measure by all his utterances on
the subject, but presidents are not
alwaos consistent in the face of adverse
WINS, and Mr.. Harrison is not in this
respect exceptional. 1t is at least con-
ceivable that political conditions may
so shape themselves this year as to in.
duce him to find excuse for not opposing
his veto to a measure passed by both
houses.
The possibilities seem strongly the
other way, however. Mr.. Harrison is
pretty sure to veto free coinage meas
ure. Upon that is the chief reliance Of
those who regard free coinage as
menace to financial stability. But is
it secure reliance? Is it certain that
such free coinage bill as is expected
to be passed could not become law in
spite Of the veto?
The majority of the house is pretty
sure to be large enough to overcome
disapproval. Is it certain that a like
majority cannot be secured by the silver
men in the senate?
The vote of 1890 was not quite two
thirds vote, but it was sufficiently near
it to encourage speculation as to present
chances. That vote was for the free
coinage of all silver; this year the
proposition will probably be much less
radical excluding all foreign silver and
all American silver already mined. 1t
seems not inconceivable that the more
guarded proposition may find favor
with some who opposed MIR. Plulnb's
amendment. The whole question may
possibly turn up on the number Of
such.
Again, the existing law has features
that many anti-silver men have come
to regard as worse than the evils of
free coinage. May it not be possible
that this opinion will be reflected in the
Senate, and that some who voted
against Mr.. Plumb's amendment will
vote for modified free coinage meas
ure as on the whole preferable?
1t seems not possible at any rate
that the free coinage vote in the senate
may be swelled into two-thirds ma
jority this year, though careful can
vass of the names, in the light of former
votes and expressions, does not render
that result quite probable. And even
should there be two-thirds vote in
favor of the bill on its original passage,
is it quite certain that the vote could
be held together for the overriding of a
veto? Such a vote would of necessity
include many republicans. Would
not some of them hisitate to favor the
passage of a bill in opposition to the
formal disapproval of a president of
their own party faith? That is ques-
ton very difficult to answ er. The
silver question is not one on which party
lines are drawn, and the opinions of
senators concerning it are determined
by other than party considerations. 1t
is question ON which most of them
would probably take the liberty OF
voting to the last in accordance with
the sentiments of the states they rep
resent, irrespective of the presidents
view. BUT would all of them do so?
On the whole the situation with re.
spect to this question is just now prob
lematical in an unusual degree. The
course of debate upon it in Congress
will be watched with uncommon inter
est and solicitude by men of every
shade of opinion. 1t is mattar con-
corning which the outcome of the ses.