The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-07-18

from the cover of parliamentary cour-
tesy and expressed their sentiments
concerning the actions Of some Of their
political colleagues with exceeding
plainness. For instance, Pierce, Of
Tennessee, Dem in the course OF his
spirited speech, said:
"In casting my vote in favor Of the
measure before the house, shall cast
II in strict accordance with what be.
lieye to be the history Of the Domo-
cratic party Of the United States, that
it is free silver party, that it has ever
been such, that its leaders have said it
was 1uch; and agree with the distin-
guished gentleman from Maine Alr.
Reed) when no says that upon this
floor, except seventeen votes in the last
house, every Democrat, north, east
south and west, recorded himself in
favor OF the free and unlimited coinage
OF silver when no had the opportunity
to do so, and complained and denounced
the Republican speaker and his col.
leagues when no was not given the OPP
portunity to do So l want to say TO
some Of the gentlemen here that they
are repudiating the traditions, history
and platforms of their state and OF their
national conventions in voting against
free coinage. would like to know
what you are shooting through these
sinele.shot tarifbills for under suspen-
sion OF the rules, for every member
knows that not one OF these bills will
ever see daylight in the senate?"
This was surely plain talking enough
to suit anyone, much palmer than some
Of his colleagues desired. 1t made
many OF them fairly squirm in their
seats; it made others rise and explain
their votes against silver But the
pressure had boon too strong for these
weak.kneed brethren. The effective
argument used was that tho passage Of
the free.silver bill at. this time would
seriously impair Mr.. Cleveland's chances
OF election. As will be seen, If the
Democratic vote Of this session is COM
pared with their vote in the Fifty-frst
Congress, the argument was all.power'
full. The result was a fitting excmFli-
tication of Mr. Reeds assertion, and
made in that now famous short speech
OF his, and in his own inimitable man
ner:
sand there Is still another class
against which I have all possible OBJ
lection, and that is the class that is
sometimes represented here OF men
who, without believing for an instant in
the doctrine which they advocate, are
Joining in the popular clanor in order
to get for themselves offices or to enable
their party to assume that public
trust" which they are SO very anxious
always to secure y"
Probably the position Of many Demo.
Gratis on the free silver question was
never better outlined thanin this pithy
sentence. And, by the way, Mr.. Reeds
speech on this occasion was the bright,
particular gom OF the whole perform.
ance. He has delivered himself of
many happy utterauces during this
session, but none happier than when
he said, at this time:
"The Republican party is established
for the purpose OF carrying out prin-
ciples. You sneer, utlook out Of your
eyes at the scene before you. To-day
we are enabling Democratic house to
profit by our action and thereby to
seemingly do better service to the
country than Republican senate, and
we are doing it unselfshly. There is
where we rise above party in all great
public questions in a manner wherein
the history OF the Democratic party in
the United States affords neither pre-
cept nor example. What we must do
is that which is best for the country,
and that We stand ready to do under all
circumstances"
But, while the silver bill is killed for
this session, it is not by any means
dead, as some would fondly have the
people of the country believe. The
bill is still on the calendar. 1t will not
be revived during this session; but
after the elections are over, and no
further direct responsibility Is to be
feared, free silver will come to the
front again. Then the doubling and
the weak-kneed will be strong in their
convictions, and will vote their senti-
ments, and free-coinage measure will
pass the house. There will be nothing
then but a Republican President to
prevent 1t becoming law.
On this vote, as previously, the West
Virginia delegation was divided, though
tho majority was strongly in favor of
FREQ silver. In the senate the two
West Virginia Democratic senators had
been solid for the bill In the house,
Messrs Pendlston and Cspehart voted
directly for it, and Mr.. Anderson was
paired, as before, Units favor. Mr.. Will
son against 1t.
Before the Register attempts to make
another point against The Republicans
on the silver question, it should care
fully analyze the vote in congress, and
particularly the vote o: tho West vir-
glnia delegation.