The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-10-03
BUTLER TAKES A STAND.
He Favors a Fair Compromise, bu,
Will Vote Against Unconditional
Repeal.

A representative of the the York
vile Enquirer was on the train with
Senator Butlernot long ago, and while
the conversation between them was
not intended for publication, the views
OF the Senator were SO interesting that
the Enquirer makes the following re.
port for the benefit of the public:
have been of opinion all the while
that President Cleveland made mis-
take in recommending the uncondi-
tional repeal of the Sherman law. and
told him so. The Senate is not com
posed of school boys, to be led around
at the dictation Of anybody. II Mr..
Cleveland had said what he wanted
and proposed anything tangible
we could have acted on II one way or
the other at once, but ON o matter like
this, we do not care to commit our
selves until we know what the result
will be-"
"But, Senator, don't you think the
repeal bill will eventually pass?"
l. am not so certain about that.
There are some very able men among
what they are about as we'll as the
President or the newspapers. They
are not going to be ridiculed, flattered,
or coerced by anybody into doing what
they. do not believe is right. I have
no idea that they will give up until
they are offered fair compromise.
at any rate, am sure that will not.
We think we appreciate the situa-
tion fully. They might talk to us
about disturbing and disorganizing the
business of the country until the end
of time, but it won't amount to any
thing. We are not responsible for the
panic or lack of confidence-neither
was the Sherman law. That panic
was brought about solely and entirely
by the national bankers. They confess
1t. They also confess that the panic
got beyond their control, and that they
g6t, hurt at their own game: They
fooled themselves into believing that
Congress would be frightened into
acceding to their demands, rather
than risk the panic. But the Senate
does not propose to be bulldozed in any
such way. We know that so far as
legislation is concerned, there has
been no reason for any such condition
as that recently prevailing. The
bankers made the trouble now let
them remedy it.
But" continued the Senator,
changing the subject, 81 have had
nothing to do with this filibustering.
am not one of them. | don't know
what may do, but as yet 1 have had
nothing to say. However, believe in
tilibustering. Filibusterers never do
any harm. They always do good.
Their efforts serve to arouse the in
terest of the people to the subject
under discussion, and the result is
beneficial education. In the present
instance, the effects have already been
quito noticeable, and the result is in
no way discouraging to the minority.
But as to the free and unlimited
coinage Of silver" said Senator Butler,
81 do not think it is a matter of very
great Importance in increasing the
circulation. The capacity of the mints
is only such as allow very limited
increase per annum, and free coinage
will not give us anything like the in
crease in circulation that we require.
My idea is that we should provide for
the establishment of State banks of
issue, and allow them to issue currency
based on silver bullion. In this way,
together with free coinage. we can get
an even, safe and reliable circulation
that would be fully up to the require
ments of business. l think that is
about the best solution of the currency
question"