The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-04-13
BOASTS THE PRESIDENT
AND LAUDs SECRETARY BLAINE TO
The SKIES.
Senator wolcots Creates n Sensation Iby
Bitterly Attacking tho President Daring
speech on the silver on"stion-Other
Senators Hugely Enjoy the Scene.

WASHINGTON, April 6.-The sensation OF
the day in congress was the arraignment
OF the administration by Senator Wolcott.
The offense for which he cited the presi-
dent was the exertion of the influence of
the administration to prevent legislation
for the free coinage OF silver, and the
democrats were naturally interested au-
ditors to the criticisms of Senator Wolcott
upon President Harrison. The speech OF
the senator from Colorado, which this
evening was the topic of conversation,
was delivered in perfectly cool and col
lected manner. and from carefully pre-
pared manuscript. He said
The silver bill has been put to sleep in the
house and the senate might as well face the
truth on the silver question. Nobody expected
the measure to become a law during this ad-
ministration, because the present chief execu-
tive last summer fOresbadowed his veto, and
those in his counsel had openly proclaimed it
since. The friends of silver, however, had
hoped that il would at least score some ad-
vantage at this session. IL the votes of the two
houses had been polled in December there
would have been clear majority OF fifty for
free silver coinage in the other body and
majority OF twelve in this. But today if vote
were had on the motion TO take the silver bill
from the calendar it would not be carried. SO
the friends OF silver were left fighting the air
on series OF general resolutions. Ii
proper time, therefore, for the friends of free
coinage, having practically suffered defeat, TO
gather mp their wounded and dead, determine
where the deserters were hidden, fortify their
intrenchments for the next encounter aud stop
lit possiblel the destructive rear-fring which
had not only damaged but surprised them.
The hrst great force opposed to the passage
of the silver bill was in this congress (as il had
been for three years. the present administra-
ton. No stone had been left unturned, no
e1ort unemployed to compass the defeat of the
measure. The national convention was soon
coming and decisive action on the silver
question was supposed to be rather embarrass-
ing and thing that IL would be better 10 avoid.
The necessity of a vote had to be prevented if
possible, and so the miserable work had begun.
The offices had been parceled out, the party
lash had been cracked and wavering members
had been gained. The work had apparently
been effectively done and yet there was always
q tomorrow. Nobody was deceived. But il
oui have been a graceful act In the out
going president to have permitted the two
he uses of congress to vote according to their
own inclinations on q measure of national I'm.
pOrtanoe.
The spectacle, humiliatng as it was, showed
that /. was but an amazing change OF front by
a great section of the democratic party. Dur
ing the last session that party had stood man
AdlAl " us party Ihl4AlOu-lhIu llOuey. y eithr
majority OF its members had taken the stump
before the election and pledged themselves
that they would vote for the free and unlimited
coinage OF silver. The sudden change would
be ridiculous if its effects were not tragic One
prophet of demo6racy-R announced that tariff
reform was the slogan. Another insisted that
being q democrat was the test and the watch
word. But each political party had become In
reference TO the silver question what Disraeii
had once charged the tory party as being-'an
organized hypocrisy"
But unless all sigus fniled, each side would
be anxious before long to unload the response
bl!lty on the other; and the people would then
have their innings. Out OF the wreck Of the
hopes they had cherished, one fact stood. The
vast mass OF the people of the country we're
inexperienced by either political party con-
corning the question which they considered
paramount TO every other. Not only was that
true now, but IL seemed equally certain that
the same condition of forces would continue 10
exist. 1t was apparent that the party in power
would with negative unanimtyl renominate
"the present magnetic executive" into this ex-
preston Mr.. WOlcott threw most contemptu-
Gus emphasis. which attracted much attention !;
not because he was the choice OF any consider
able body OF his party, but because, since the
letter of retirement of the great secretary, who
held his party bound by ties of deepest aflec-
ton and regard, no man of greater stature than
the present incumbent bad been found willing
TO stand. Because Of the blow that had struck
silver aside, il seemed equally manifest that
the democratic party would present its apostle
of tariff reform. whose vision had no other issue
and who desired again to be consecrated to
public office.
These uncomplimentary illusions to
Mr.. Harrison and Mr.. Cleveland and the
highly hattering reference to Mr.. Blaine
had ell the success on some of his audience
that Mr.. Wolcott could have desired
Smiles of approval, pleasure and assent
fitted over the countenances of senators,
but no other sign was given, and he went
on with his speech.
The senator then reviewed the silver
question IN detail and concluded by the
prediction that the people would surely
speak and FREQ coinage would be their
final verdict.
Mr.. Morgan formally offered the amend
ment TO his resolutions which he had
presented yesterday and then the reso-
lutions went over without action, retaining
their place on the calendar.