New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-21
DEMOCRATIC SQUABBLES.
THE HOUSE MAJORITY AT ODDS on MANY
QUESTIONS.
GLAND DETERMINED THAT SILVER MUST HAVE
AN EQUAL CHANCE WITH THE TARIFF.
GBY TELEGRAPH 10 TIE TRIBUNE

,rats i'm Congress especially In the House of Repre-
eptatives over the silver question is becoming
itter lively and Interesting day by day. There Is
no doubt that the sentiment in favor OF postpone
snt ~ the question until after the Presidential
ms gained strength during the last week. and there
* also no doubt that Bland and the Democrats who
agree with him are. if possible, more determined than
ever that there shall be such poStponemcnt. The
sItuation therefore. may be fairly described an
ombarrassin one if not critical one for the Demo
cratic party But it IS not situation which should
In the least confuse disturb Republicans Among
the $50 Democrats, including the nine brevet
Democrats who masquerade Farmers Alliance
men, there may be two who honestly opposed
to the hybrid scheme OF imitation offered by Bland
under the name of Free Coinage bill. The remainder
arc all in favor OF it, but good many Of them
anxious keep it in the background in the hope that
t!ey Will thereby cheat the country and reap partisan
advantage. They argue that as the Democratic party
I'm the past has adopted and used with success the
tactics of the ostrich when pursued, 1t may do so
again
some OF them also believe that the veto of bill
IKE the one reported BY the majority of the Coinage
Committee would strengthen President Harrison and
the Republican party. In the last Congress one New
York Democrat who voted for BANDS resolution 10
rccommit the Congcr bill with instructions to the
Coinage Committee TO bring in free coinage bill was
Amos Cummings. lie Is now in favor of postpone
ment of the question until after the Presidential cleo
ton With his r-ual candor. MIR. Cummings explained
to a Tribune correspondent that he voted for free
coinage in the last Congress because he wanted 10
help put Harrison in hole" by compelling HIM To
veto free silver bill. He now seems TO think not
only that the Senate would reject ree-conage BILL
but even II il should pass veto of II would not
niure the prospects the President or the Republican
party The attitude Of many other Democrats In
favor OF q postponcment Of the question until next
winter is based on the elevated sentiments and
considerations
OF course all these men are extremely anxious 10
have the Republicans help them out of their dilemma
and some OF them are hopeful that the Republicans
will do So although there have been no strong lhdi'
cations "a vet flat any considerable number OF the
latter intend TO. Republicans who honesty advocate
free and fair elections have not forgotten the alliance
which defeated the Election bin in the last congress-
and they will hardly be inclined now to scoroh their
own fingers in drawing chestnuts from the nie Tor
the benest Of the Democratic party. There really
seems TO be no good reason why the RepublcahS
sronld interfere in bitter Democratic family quarrel
uben such Interference IL effective, will result solely
IN benefit TO the Democratic party There 20 danger
whatever that a free coinage BILL or an Imitation Dill
like BANDS, will become law during the lifetime
Of this Congress- the sole object purpose and de
sire Of the Democrats In postponins the
question are the hope and belief ina
,bev NAV thereby deceive the voters and
rssn partlsan advantage in the coming campaign ana
election That is all there is OF It, no matter "ha'
false prtensons may be mado by Democratic leaders.
There IS probably foundation for the uneasmes
which Bland and his partisans have begun 10 iceI III
respec1 20 the prospects Of his BILL One OF the most
,,om,nent and influential Southern Democrats In the
Um,se-a man who has been and still Is an ardent
friend of free unlimited silver coinage-m coh'e9a
ton with a Tribute correspondent said
Il have 10 objection TO giving you my views OF the
animation but for reasons the force OF when You VIII
appreciate / desire that my name shall not be used
am strongly I'm favor Of free coinage. as you Know
and vet for two reasons would prefer 10 have acton
postponed until next winter. one reason Is rhat 'he
Democratic party is divided on the question: ana
the passage of Free Coinage bill at this session
might be Injurious TO the party, although, IN my
opinion, the danger is exaggerated by the oppo
nepts of the The other reason II
that I would Ike TO have more thorough t1A
II the existing law, which. in my Judgment has moi
seen long enough In force TO allow US properly 10
image its effects Under that law, all the silver pro
80 In the Tinted States and probably more, comes
Mo nse for monetary purposes. Now l do not Dc
EAve that under q free-conage law foreign silver
Eould be deposited at the United States MINIS 10 any
neat ext1nt and of course II that he true inc eiacV
hant Of such law would not appreciably increase
Be- use At silver as money, basis OF Circulation
h tos United States. On the whole therefore !
Eoubd prefer that the existing conditions shona re
msin unchanged at least for a few months longer
I4.r a nsnse he resumed: But there IS another
40 N the question and II IS important as well as
nrctseal large majority Of the Democrats III uiS
fnse favo, free and unlimited silver coinage, ana
rra,orfv OF them moreover. INST upon speedy
acton Their demand is 50 earnest ACCORDING
n all indications, that they will 20 TO the
,enQth of obstructing and preventing the pasaso u
other important measures OF legislauoh u''cSs II "
granted. If they do 50 1t will be IN ihelr Po"o ~
only to prolong the session. but virtually 10 oio's
legislation and the doing of those things would be more
injurious to the party and the country III my ppm
he
House, A., ,o, y,
This probably is as fair and impartial review o.
the Democratic situation in the House aS co"lu w
made nv n man whose duty II is to study and undef
stand the sentiments and purposes OF the ihalorlN
To sim up In few words, the freecoinage Deinocia,
hove IN. game in their own hands at present ana Il
tbev loso II will be their fault. That they eA
meet to win is evident from the remarks OIL oha'na'
RIand and his free coinage partlsans MT. balu -
DAY said A., ,,o
I!efore we take up the tariff bills and the appio
nraton tius there must be an agreement ulo' JUS
what We are going TO do. There must be AN uhoei
standing from the beginning or else silver WI" "
here as long vs. the tariff and appropriations "''
Will be talked of "a much AS anything else pci0I0 "'
House am in favor Of tariff reform ana oi con
sder,ng the tariff bills but if their programme Is
keen the tariff here always and not to 90 any INV"
-, tho silver question: then shall consider men
all together There IS disposition against t'klh'
HID the tariff provided we con have an '"'oe''''''"
II al II Is not 10 be run As machhe 10 MUM "
euver. have heard the reports that the 'afl'' wa
10 be kept here. not for the purpose OF passing
rada bill but TO Gdll silver want 1t understood UNI
hon,t think there is any such Intention IL "oo'
be making childs play OF the tarli nhd u''s 1t a, a.
.nti-silvcr club. But II such an lh'chuol e"o"'u
a,coeed we will take the opportunity to force Sh'e
- the front and and talk silver or the aii ana ever
other bill. , .,
AZ do no. believe, as have said, all these report
and rmors about knocking ont silver "i'h 'he 'ai
and appropriation bills but II we hnu out una. a,,,.1
,,,, lin 10 offered as an amendment to every bill VINO