The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-23
SENATOR H1rr ON s1nvrn.
s,..ay for the Repeal OF the sher,n, Law
Firm, for Bir,et.liisr..
Prom u. E'niru Ga-.n. Of July 10.

manifested In his early and persistent opposi-
lion to tho Sherman law.
That act was passed on July IA. 1890. and he
was the first prominent public man afterward
n call attention to Its vicious character and to
vigorously demand it's repeal. As early as
Sept. %. 1890. in a speech which he delivered
IN brooklyn at the dedication Of tho Jeffer-
,onlan building. upon " The Principles Of the
letters oman Democracy" he sought to arouse
interest In an effort to wipe IL from the statute
books. His speech attracted but little atten-
tion ut tho time. as the people seemed disposed
10 think that the Sherman Law Was a reason
ably satisfactory compromise OF conflicting
otiuions upon the silver issue. and that the
question had been settled.
Senator Hills efforts did not cease with this
Brooklyn speech. but he continued them In
1901. 1t is an open secret that he was the au-
thor OF that portion Of the New York State
Democratic platform OF 1891 wherein the
Sherman law was denounced "as q false pre-
tenco but artiul hindrance OF return to free BIZ
metallic coinage"
This was the nrst denuncIation OF the sher-
man law that had appeared In any Democratic
state platform in any OF the States. Then on
Oct 8. 1901. Gov. Hill made that famous
speuch at the meeting at Cooper Institute
over which President Cleveland presided
which our readers will recolloct did SO much
to arouse the enthusiasm Of tho Dem ocracy Of
this State. and in the presence OF Mr.. Clsve-
land he reiterated his views OF the silver oues-
ton and his criticism Of the Sherman law.
Mr.. Cleveland spoke at the same meeting.
but had not 4 word to say in deroGation OF
that law. Mr. Hill saw dangers In the financial
situation which others either failed or refused
to SEQ. and he frankly expressed his alarm
when others preferred to be silent
NJ L.
upon tho silver question. which. unlike the
others, attracted universal attention. Gov.
Hill declared in favor OF free bimetalllo coin
age. but vigorously exposed the false pre-
fences and claims OF tho Sherman law and
urged It's repeal He frankly admitted that
he did not believe that President Harrison
would approve q repeal. but he advocated
repeal merely as party tactics which good poll
tics demanded should be supported. In the
light OF recent events 1t 10 clear that the
course which he mapped out was the path OF
wisdom and safety, and ono which the Dem
ocratic party ought then to have pursued.
On the evening of Doc 81. 1891. Gov. Hill
made another speech at q farewell banquet at
tho Kenmore Hotel. Albany. rendered him by
the Democratic State officers on the occasion
Of his retirement from the Governorship to
take his seat In the United States Senate. in
to demand repeal OF both tho Mckinley law
and the Sherman law.
The National Democratic Convention at Chi
cago substantially adopted the financial plank
OF the New York Democratic State platform Of
1891. n fact which must have been gratifying
to Senator Hill. because It was q reaffirmation
Of his own views repeatedly expressed.
1t is to be regretted that President Cleveland
has not heretofore shared the anxiety Of Ssna-
tor Hill in regard to tho dangerous effects Of
the Sherman law. We do not recall single
utterance OF his since its enactment demand
ing repeal. Neither in his speech at Madison
Square Garden year ago in answer to q for
NAL notification Of his nomination. nor in his
letter Of acceptance OF September. 1892. nor
in his inaugural address in March last did he
make any suggestion whatever for q repeal of
this most vicious piece Of legislation. which
was then and is now fast destroying the
finances Of our country. He has been content
to let others accent the brunt Of the response
bility in the heretofore uncertain and doubtful
struggle for repeal
On the other hand Senator Hill. keenly alive
to the commercial and financial interests Of
Now York. at tho opening Of the recent session
OF Congress In December last promptly in
troduced bill for . repeal Of tho compulsory
purchase clauses OF the Sherman law. and In
the Senate on Feb. 6 last supported his meas
ure in powerful speech. which had the re-
spectful attention Of the Senate and the coun-
try. and seemed greatly to arouse public
attention to the necessity OF speedy ac-
ton. His bill was beaten. 1t is true. by
decisive vote. but We believe that his
arguments have never been answered. There
were eleven Republican and twelve Demo-
cratic Senators who recorded themselves In
favor Of repeal. while twenty Republican and
twenty Democratic Senators opposed II. 1t
will be amusing at the approaching session OF
Congress to hear both Democratic and Repub-
lican Senators who now ostentatiously an
nounce that they intend to vote for repeal. ex-
plain their votes given In opposition at SO re-
cent period as last February.
Senator Hill at the coming session will have
nothing to explain. and nothing to retract. He
Is a bimetallist. He believes in the Chicago
Democratic platform. which under fair inter-
probation commits the Democratic party to
the championship Of both gold and silver as
the standard money Of the country. He does
not object to proper and necessary conditions
which should accom- any the free coinage of
both metals to insure the safety and parity of
our currency Those conditions are mere
matters OF detail about which honest differ
ences OF opinion may well be entertained and
ne refuses to quarrel with any brother Demo-
crat upon such non-essentials. He obj ects
however. to tho Democratic party. under the
ciamor and scare Of natural or organized
panic, being placed In the false position Of a
monometallist party. which would belle all
Its past history. Against such an effort to be-
tray 1t. II one shall bs made. he will fight it'll
Oil his conceded ability and influence no mat
Ter who champions tho other side and ire
spective OF present public opinion upon the
subject in New York State or elsewhere.
Almost solitary and alone he started the
movement for the repeal OF the Sherman law.
when public sentiment was friendly to It, or at
least indifferent. and upon every appropriate
occasion he has persisted in denouncing 1t.
until now. In changed public sentiment. he
witnesses tho vindieation OF his own views.
his record is outspoksn. Straightforward, and
consistent he was the early opponent Of the
sherman law. has always denounced it. and he
n.Ales IN MS recent Fourth OF July letter to tho
Iammany Society that no still favors its nm
conditional" repoal Some newspapers. which
nave evidently forgotten or are ign GRANT OF the