New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-10
THE RATTLE AGAINST SOUND MONEY

Tho silver ouestion is to be forced to the
front again if the "more money fanatics are
able. They are trying to muster majority vi
Democratic members of the House to sign u
demand that the Committee on Rules fix day
for the final vote on the Frcc-Colnagc DILL
They calculate probably with accuracy, that
if they can get majority in the House to order
the final vote they can pass the bill. Most OF
the Republicans would probably refuse to vote
for or against a rule to close debate. but would
vote against the bill itself On the other hand
there is said to be large number of Demo
cratic dodgers who do not dare to vote against
the bill if they have TO vote at all. but Wouid
vote against the rule or in favor OF poSfpohihg
the question On "a straight vote the silver men
would doubtless have majority in the House
and might have in the Senate also.
The force behind this measure is partly thai
of faction which desires 10 prevent the nom
nation Of Mr. Cleveland at any cost. Some
other Democrats there may he who suppose
that the defeat of the bill by Presidential
veto would render the re election OF the Prcsl-
dent more unlikely. though there Is much rea-
son To believe that the effect would be exactly
the contrary. The great force behind the BILL
however is the anxiety of Democratic members
10 secure their own denomination aud help
their reelection, by pandering to the ignorance
and prejudice Of the more money fanatics
When man votes for free coinage il does not
nv any means follow that he believes that a
majority of the people in his district favor that
measure. comparatively small minority OF
desperate fanatics who are willing 10 sacfince
everything else Ia one aim can turn the scale
in many counties and in many districts
The vote Of a small bore politician who cares
nothing for the welfare Of his country, but only
for his own nomination and election, Is exceed
inply apt 10 be controlled by numerically IN
significant but desperate minority.
When the silver men say 1--WE will smash
any candidate or party unless get free coin
age.u they reckon that the opponents OF free
coinage arc not enough in earnest TO smash
things, will care more about other matters
and will suffer their representatives To he
bnllcd and frightened into submission. But
the other side is beginning to declare itself with
some pOSitiycncSs. In most Of the Northwest
crn States recent conventions have shown a
decided change of tone. Even Democratic
conventions i'm some States that were former
Is given over to silver fanaticism have de-
clined to insist upon free coinage as before.
These are evidences Of steady change OF pub
lie opinion and the conservative business men
of the country are evidently refusing to allow
their interests 10 be sacrificed any further by
cheap politicians and the fanatics who buldoze
| them A large proportion OF the Germans IN
| Western States have begun to show their an
| tagonism to free coinage very decidedly. II
| has been n good thing for the country, prob
ABLY that the Alliance seized upon free coinage
| as pet measure, and coupled it with others
so fantastic and senseless rs to bring the more
money agitation into contempt. IL can no
| longer be claimed with reason that the majority
of the people even at the West except in the
| silver producing region, desires the free COIN
age Of silver.
But at the South substantial business men
| are relatively less influential. The Alliance ia
naticism has swept most of the small-bore poll
ticians quite off their feet. The prospect that
an Independent ticket will be supported by a
large body of the farmers has made Democratic
members desperate, and they are not in the
humor to care anything about New-YOrk or
Connecticut or Indiana. II they cannot satisfy
the more money fanatics by passing the Free
Coinage bill they calculate that the party will
cease TO have majority in several States and
in many Congressional districts at the South.
! With their own political neclis in the moose
| Democratic Representatives are camorng for
free silver. and voting millions for jobs i'll their
districts without the slightest apparent care for
| public opinion or the success Of their party.
|