The record-union., 1892-11-15
STEWART OF NEVADA.
THE SENATOR STEADFAST TO TIE
CAUSE OF SILVER.
He Considers the Tariff Matter of
Small Consequence as Compared
With the Money Question.
special to the REcoRp-UNror.

Special to the RECORD-UNIoN.
SAN Francisco, Nov. 14.-Senator
Stewart of Nevada, who is in this city,
was asked by reporter to-day how he
would stand on the subject of tariff re-
form in the United States Senate.
1.-The tariff" said the Senator, sis a
matter of small consequence compared
with the financial question. I'm for free
silver, and as to the tariff, 1 stand where
Lincoln stood-as to slavery, when he
wrote that if the Union could be pre-
served without destroying slavery he was
for preserving the Union that way, but if
the Union could not be saved without the
abolition OF slavery then he was an aboIi-
ZIONIST"
But suppose the tariff reform PROPOSE
! ton comes up independently altogether
of silver, how will you vote ?"
"On the merits of the proposition" re-
piled the Senator.
"But for or against protection ?"
Are you aware" inquired the Sena-
tor, impressively, ''that we have only
half as much coin in reserve to-day as
we had eighteen years ago. Then we
possessed 81 500, 600. Now we have
but 50, 700, ,000, 600. Ali gold banks have
discarded silver as a basis, and silver is
reduced to the position of credit money.
Every body ought to know that the busi-
ness of the world must bear some rela-
ton to the credit and reserve, and here
we see it standing like a pyramid up
ended, the apex resting on that little
pedestal of gold. What is the conse-
quence? Things keep going from bad to
worse; prices have fallen 40 per cent. in
eighteen years, ami are still on the down
grade. Every man who is not lender
wakes up each day poorer than when he
went to bed"
But what is your attitude on the
tariff?'
Tariff legislation. even ifwholesome
in ITSELF" replied Senator Stewart.
promptly, ''is not adequate to relieve the
state of things l have described. Until
this silver question is settled, and it never
will be until it is settled right, no party
can remain in power more than four
years. Each will give the people some
wrong explanation of what ails them.
and when it is afforded the opportunity
TO try its cure it will be found to be use
less. Until the country shall have
plentiful supply of money things cannot
mend"
"Will you vote to remove the McKin-
ley duties?''
''Sir," said the Senator, 81 shall be
a high tariff man or low tariff man,
or free trade man, according
as my position may affect silver. Ali
other questions sink into insignificance
beside the money question. l shall use
my vote under all circumstances toward
securing free coinage"
THAT is to say, you are, as to the tariff,
strictly on the fence.'
"Well," answered MIR. Steward. "rd
hardly like to put it that wav; but,n he
added, ION the fence is good American
language, after all, and expresses my DO
sition exactly. I'm for silver, first. last
and all the time, you understand, and |
mean to log roll for it. Log roll is an Of
fensive phrase, but it fills the situation.
Now PIl tell you all you or the public
coinage of silver, but as to all other cues
tions 1 prefer to remain uncommitted. I
should deprive myself of the advantage
as friend of silver of being-er-"
ION the fence"
Precisely"