Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-11-15
TUESDAY. NOVEMBER is. 1892.
The Next Senate.

We minated day or two ago that II would
be well Tor those Of US who are rejoicing over
redeemed United States Senate 10 ascertain
whether or not the niverites vho win DO in that
body after the sth OF March next viii act with
the Democratic party upon any other than the sill
yer question. This IL an important question 10
the Democratic party. Not thst the probablli-
ties are not that the silver senators viii SIT upon
the Democratic side Of the senste. but because
IL IL unwiso TO count chickens before they are
hatched. and because there are no certainties
upon which to base the assumption OF Demo
cratic control Of the Senate as soon ss tho pres
eut Congress obeys the will Of the people and
goes down to "dusky death"
II would seem rather that few Independents
might hold the balance Of power.
Again. The Senate will be controlled even
after the attn OF March next by the sntlsilverites
IL IL not 10 be assumed that Mr.. CLEVELAND II 10
he left 70 "hold the bag" whilst the Democratic
United States senators range themselves with
the silyerltes lie is q New Yorker and has the
New York notions on the subject OF thecurrency'
He is Just such a monofnetallist as are the
moneyed men In all the Now England ana mid
die States. Tha, Is 10 ssy. the Democrats OF
those States are, az general rule, opposed 70
the free coinage Of silver and cannot be expected
% fan In all al With the notions OF the silver
ties Indeed, II the Brussels conference shall not
come 10 the relief OF the Democrats In the United
States Senate we hardly know how they will
be able 20 manage tho silver question. 1t is not
matter that can be dismissed without hearing
The anti-free-ooinsge men will have large ma
iority In the Senate. We expect much from the
Brusssls conference but our expectation is not
based upon knowledge.
IL Is true the Republicans may be very much
oemorniised, as indeed they are, and may not be
able 10 rally their forces under the standards OF
the Republican party. Indeed, We hope for the
disappearance OF that party before the next
presidential election. But what al opportunity
The Republcans will have 20 endeavor TO divide
the Democrats on the free-coinRae question,
whilst TIE Democrats are trying 70 divide the
Republicans on the question OF tariff reform, or
ciyil-service reform, or the repeal OF the little
force bill.
Looking at the silver problem as It stands To-
Gay, we ind that the election OF o few United
States senators will not solve that problem, nor
enable the advocates Of the free coinage of silver
20 carry the Senate in favor Of that measure. New
York, New Jersey. Connecticut, Maryland, and
other Democrats States will not permit their
Democratic senators TO vote for free coinage. Mr..
CLEVELAND was elected President Of the United
States last week by Democrats who knew him
10 be opposed TO any "debasement Of the cur
rency," as the phrase Is, whether by the issue
uf irredeemable greenbacks or by the coinage
OF silver dollars not worth each as much by
weight as gold dollar. They viii, we take 1t,
be as sirenuously opposed 90 the "denationaii-
cation q the currency as 70 the endorsement"
OF IL In any way.
So Democratic control Of the United States
eenate cannot be set down as certain 70 be Sc
cured ON the 4th OF March next But sectional
ism Is dead and buried. The Democrats win
control the Senate on that question Federal In
iorfereuce with congressional elections rs dead
and will soon be buried. The Democrats viii
control the Senate on that question But let US
make haste slowly on the silver question. Our
new President would like % be heard upon that
subject before any agreement in regard to 1t
shaI DO entered into by the Democrats In either
house OF Congress. He Is a firm believer In the
doctrine that silver aud gold WILL 10 use his own
language, inevitably part company" II both
metals shau be coined free Of charge at the ratio
OF 6to1. Nor Is he at all likely TO consent TO
flooding the country with "denationalized" cur
eacy-that Is. currency issued by State banks In
Oregon or elsewhere and sent TO the eastern
States 10 seek circulation.