New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-20
TRYING TO POSTPONE SILFER.

| There is some talk in Congress about post
ponement of the silver question. 1t is said that
Mr.. Bynum, Democratic Representative from
Indiana, whenever it is proposed to fix time
| for consideration Of the Frce-Conage bill, will
move an amendment fixing the date at some time
| during the next session. The object OF Demo
cratic politicians who favor this course is to get
| the issue deferred, without further commitment
| of the Democratic party. until after the Presi-
| dental election. Their pretence that they are
anxious for the public safety must be accounted
| fraudulent, because they know full well that no
| such bill can be passed over the Presidents veto,
and they have only TOO great certainty for their
own comfort that the President would interpose
| should any measure threatening the honor, the
pros perity or the industries of the country be sent
10 him for signature. The country is IN no pres
| ent danger. It's chief danger is that a Demo-
cratic Congress and q Democratic President may
be elected next fall, for then the clamols and tho
necessities of bis party will be to such an Exec-
| tive almost irresistible.
| In this effort to postpone the subject Demo-
Gratis are counting upon the assistance OF Re-
publican members The Democratic opponents
! OF free coinage know that they are minority.
But they profess to be extremely anxious about
the public safety, in the hope that the Repub-
ican members of the House will feel compelled
to save the country from peril, and thus to help
the Democratic minority out Of It's dilemma. IL
there were actual danger that Fec-Coinage bill
could become law at this session, or even II the
public welfare could be sacrificed or risked by
allowing such bill to be sent TO the President, it
might be the clear duty Of Republican members
to defer it If they could There Is no such danger
or risk, and they know it well. The business
world knows President Harrsons purpose and
his firmness of character too well to be In the
least alarmed The ques ton is only whether an
advantage shall be gained for the Democratic
party, by preventing it's further commitment on
the silver question before the election. 1t is
not part of the duty of Republican members 10
help Democrats to escape any exposure OF the
character of their party.
On the contrary, there are strong public
reasons for pressing the Free Coinage bill to a
+! definite vote at this session. For it would then
| go to the people, and verdict could be obtained
| on it. The blatant agitators who pretend that
| great majority of the people are with them will
be exposed in their persistent Misrepresentation.
| The impression of the many well-known poll
ticians that the silver fanaticiSm, however I'M
wise and dangerous, cannot be safely confronted
| in National contest and must therefore be pct
| with some sort Of compromise or yielding, will
| be dssipated The minds Of the voters them
solves will be cleared and definitely settled by
| discussion. The cause of honest money will be
incidentally strengthened, TIE TRIBUNE firmly
| believes, by National contest on this ques-
tiOn and by its results.
SO believing, TIE TRIBUNE cannot see why
Republican members Of Congress should consent
| to postpone the issue. Considerations higher
| than those Of partisanship appear to command
| them 10 seek early and definite action by Con-
gress, that the country may know exactly what
the different parties may do about this matter,
and that the issue may be distinctly presented.
| For this issue is going to enter largely into the
| Presidential contest, whether either party desires
| or not; nobody can stop that, undo all that
the Democratic party has already done to make
| its intentions known. A false or deceptive sub
mission of the question to the country might do
great and lasting harm. With the real issue
distinctly submitted, 50 that voters cannot avoid
it, verdict of permanent benefit might be ex-
pected. Knowing that the President stands be-
| tween all unwise financial legislation and the
countrys welfare, and that no vote in Congress
on this question can endanger the public pros
perity, it seems plain enough that Republicans
have no occasion to favor postponement.