The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-08-10
SILVER AND THE MESSAGE.

The cause Of silver is not affected SO
seriously as some people suppose by the
tone OF the Presidents message. The
Executive is required by the Constitution
to give to the Congress Information OF
the state OF the Union, and recommend to
their consideration such measures as he
shall Judge necessary and expedient-
That does not impose upon Congress any
obligation to adopt his views or carry
into effect the measures he deems ex-
pedient. The legislature should consider
them, of course, but it is independent IN
its own sphere.
1t would have been encouraging to the
silver men if the President had made some
recommendation in reference to future
silver coinage. But the necessity Of the
repeal of the silver purchasing provision
of the law was the overshadowing con-
sideration with him and he dwelt upon
that, leaving other legislation that may
be needful thing apart.
1t was hoped that the President had be-
come converted. to some extent at least,
to the views of the advocates Of silver.
There was no particular reason for the
hope; the wish was the father to the
thought. His opinions are the same as
they were when he was at the head OF
national affairs before and at the time of
his reelection. What he has recon-
mended are his full convictions on the
financial question of the hour. He could
only advise what he sincerely believed to
| be for the best interests of the nation.
Congress is perfectly free to take SUCH
action as the majority of its mem
bers shall see fit. The opinions of
the Executive are entitled to con-
sideration and respect, for he
voices the views OF vast number
OF people as we'll as his own. But that
does not act as hindrance to the course
Of Congress, and silver is not thereby
not cast the slightest damper upon the
advocates of the white metal. On the
contrary, they have some specious argu-
ments to refute and demolish. His Ut
terances are as open to criticism as if they
were from the most inexperienced mem
Der of either House. We have no ruler
and no dictator in this republic.
There is not the slightest tangible
ground for the assertion that the Presi-
into voting his way or he will deny them
the patronage that legitimately belongs
to their district - That is Republican
suspicion springing from a malig-
nant mind. 1t indicates what
the accuser would do if he were in
power. Patriotism is before patronage,
and any Senator or Repres sentative who
fails of his duty to the country for fear of
losing the control of some appointment
for his district, is as base as the being
who hbels the President in that indecent
manner. When there is proof of any
'bulldozing' by the President, or OF
venal pandering to him by Congressman,
| it will be time enough to advance such
accusations.
| Ii the SHERMAN law is repealed with
out some legislation that will help the
silver cause the fault will be with Con-
gress. We do not believe the President
would veto a bill which, while repeating
the law that everybody acknowledges is
wrong, secures to the country sill
yer money at c reasonable ratio
Win 2OlQ. IL Suca q measure is
not enacted, it will be because the ma
liority of both Houses are opposed to it,
and not because the President has given
his opinion on the general-subject.
Senator WoLcoTT put the case very
plainly: ssThe message of Mr.. Cleveland
will not make a vote in Congress OF
; change the thought of a single man
throughout the land, )" he is reported tc
have said. The latter part of his remark
may be a little exaggerated, but the
former part is doubtless correct. Silver
is not cast down cent, nor should its ad-
vocates be discouraged in the least, by the
official enunciation of the Presidents
well known opinions on the financial
question. The prospects of the white
metal are not affected by it, and it's cham
pions will be found at the front, not dis
heartened, but spurred up to more vigor-
Gus efforts by the opportunities which
the message throws open to their adj
vances. The fight is yet to come.
s.@--z--=--@
ON TERRIBLE STRAIN