The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-08-27
IT WILL PROBABLY PASS.
Cochran, Reed and Wilson Speak for
Repeal, Bland in Opposition.
The rsmmsny Leader Avakss Great En-
thusissm-Aiiea ssiai Has Good
Chance for His seat-what the sem
ate viii Do About Repeal.

tnat the iast DAY Oh th0 great silver debate
would be sIgnalized by battle of oratori-
cal giants. The speaker announced that
the debate in favor of the bill would be
closed by its author, Wilson of West Viz
ginia. and opposed by Bland Of Missouri.
Clarke of Alabama was the FIRST speaker.
He believed it the duty of congress 70 f;x
the ratio at IS to /, still he would not cast
O vote that would continue to parasyze the
industries of the country. Immediate
action was necessary to restore con-
fidence. The trouble was due TO purchas-
ing silver under the Sherman law. as the
people believed, and whether that belief
was correct or not, he would vote to re-
peal the law or do anything TO restore con-
fidence.
The next speaker was Hon. Thomas B.
Reed of Maine. After sketching briefly
the financial condition of the country,
and declaring that he had no desire to
deal with the situation from . political
standpoint, he proceeded to say: The
Democratic party was brought into power
by a curious combination Of circum-
stances, bat IN large measure by the
American people. Consciousness Of this
fact. he said underlies the entire situation.
He would not raise the question whether
protection was wise or not, but the fact re-
mained, even if it is admitted that the
propositions of the Democratic platform
are entirely correct, that the system upon
which the manufactures Of thisscpuntry
were regulated for thirty PEARS is threat-
ened with total change. Whether that
change would be for the better or not no
man can know. What the Democratic
party proposed to do nobody can say.
They do not even know themselt tes. The
speaker did not believe the Democratic
party utterly bad. nor that they would
be permitted to be so If they
desired. If the reformation Of
the tariff were in the hands even of its
friends who favored protection, instead Of
those who denounced II, business would
not be stagnant or at standstiii. But
when its reformation is in the hands OF
men opposed to the present system the
manufacturers Of the country, who had
built on the present system, must neces-
sarily call halt. Ii their goods are to
come in competition with the manufac-
lures Of other lands. where production is
on different basis, where labor is differ
entity regarded, no Manufacturer win dare
to manufacture more than absolute neces-
sity requires. He characterized in this one
phrase the cause of the present condition
OF affairs, the undiscoverable uncertainty
of the future OF both the currency question
and the question of protection and
revenue tariff. He considered the Sher-
man act and the accumulation of silver as
the earliest indication of approaching dis
aster, rather than the chief cause. He
did not believe a Democratic congress
would revise the tariff so that the working
men would be brought back even to the
condition of workmen under the Walker
tariff. but he had no doubt there would be
doubts and difficulties and distractions.
1t was not to be expected that the Demo-
Gratis, after thirty years Of criticism OF
the acts of others, should be lifted at once
10 the higher level OF responsibility and
performances. Time only could do that.
Until that time came they could RELY on
the assistance of the Republican minority
In the direction of sound government and
honest administration.
The speaker was sorry the Democratic
majority would not permit Republicans 70
exhibit their wisdom in the way of amend
ment, but confined them TO Democratic
propositions. He would waste no time
showing that the rights of the minority
are outraged. according to the Democratic
position when the Republicans we're in
power, for he recognized now, as then. the
necessity and duty of the party in power
assuming the responsibility for its action.
He was only sorry the question could not
be settled within the bounds of the Demo.
cratic party itself, but everybody knew
that majority of the Democrats would
decide against the good sense of the ma
tion. Though be did not believe the re-
peal of the Sherman act wonld
give immediate prosperity, he would vote
for 1t because, whether justly or not.
IL is believed to be the cause of hoardsng
currency. and because only by its repeal
could the nation hope 10 attract foreign
capital. He characterized the charge tha.
the Law of 1878 was trick as zone of the
most stupendous fabricstions which ever
existed in political life" The pathway of
duty Is unconditional repeal. Ifthat doe.
not give relief we must try somethins
else. and the sooner the better. The Re.
publicans found themselves in a peculiar
position. The newly chosen Democratic
president found himself powerless in his
first great recommendation 70 his own
party, and was forced TO anpeaI
to the patriotism OF another party hose
patriotism has never been appealed 10 In
vain. The speaker sketched the salient
points In the financial history of the Re-
publican party. and closed BY saying that
when the day came. as il surely would. for
that party TO lead the country back to
prosperity, IL would take back with il "our
ancient glory undsmmed by adversity. our
ancient honor unsullied by defeat. /"
Reeds closing words were received with q
prolonged outburst of applause.
De Armond of Missouri spoke in opposi-
ton to unconditional repeal. He took
Carlisle to task for following the ruinous
financial policy OF his predecessor. Had
the Sherman Law been properly executed
the parity would have been maintained.
II might be true, but he did not believe
the story, that the Democrats aud Repub-
Iieans of the senate had agreed to drop
tariff reform to secure passage of the re-
peal bill. He would protest against such
an arrangement The dividing lines we're
the money powers of the East, with for
eign backing. ~ ainst the tolling masses Of
the West and South. WiIIisms Of Illinois
opposed repeaI. and contended that the
Sherman Iaw Was not responsible for the
panic. He thought the panic the legitt-
mate offspring OF the Republican party.
To repeal the Sherman law woaid be 10
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