The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-09-28
SENATOR CAMERON's VIEW OF A
LEGISLATORS DUTY.

Senator Don Cameron, of Pennsylvania,
enjoys the unenviable distinction Of being
the solitary senator who comes from
those parts of these United States north Of
thesPotomac river and east OF the Missis-
sippi who opposes the repeal of the
Sherman law. The great bulk of the prop
erty Of the country lies within this terri
tory, and this fact proves, If 1t proves
nothing else, tina. Senator Daniel was
wholly in error when he declared in his
free silver speech that he spoke in be-
half of the banks. the bank depositors
and the investors Of the country. These
are principally in the territory referred
to, and although they have thirty-four
senator's, there is but a single one Of all
the thirty-fonr that agrees with Senator
| Daniel.
When Senator Cameron made his speech
for free silver last Monday, he disclosed
the fact that he had one merit at any
rate He disclosed the fact that he was
entirely candid, If nothing else. He placed
his advocacy Of free silver frankly upon
the ground that the senators and congress
men OF the silver States had voted 10
protect the manufacturers of Pennsyl-
vania, and he. as representative Of
Pennsylvania, would reciprocate by voting
to protect the products Of Colorado and
Nevada He said:
1--WE all know the history of the Sher-
.AFstfsF mi leo
between somewhat violent interests
compromise in which the silver miners,
the manufacturers and the gold men
acouiesced. The miners got market
for their silver; the manufacturers got
a market for their goods, other interests
were conciliated in their turn.
| will not vote TO ruin Colorado or Nevada.
| will vote to help them, and In return,
will ask their help 10 assist the other
weak interests that are struggling
throughout the United States for existence
against heavy odds"
This is refreshing II It is nothing else.
We have first the confession that the
Sherman act was a bargain between
northern manufacturers and owners OF
silver mines; that their congressman
would vote to protect silver If the con-
gressmen from the silver States would
vote TO protect Northern manufacturers,
and second. further confession that the
senator from manufacturing State
would continue to vote for protection to
the product OF a silver State In considera-
ton Of that silver State voting to con-
tlnue protection TO the others manu-
features.
William II. Vanderbilt secured consid-
cradle notoriety for himself by that
very terse II not elegant exclamation,
the public be id" We have always
thought ne received much more censure
for il than he deserved, in view OF the
sense in which he used it. He was speak
ing Of the attempt of the public to die
tate to him the way in which he should
operate his railroad, and we have al
ways thought MIR Vanderbilt had far
greater rights in his own property than
some sensational newspapers, and sock
less Simpsons were disposed TO concede
to him. But we are utterly unable to
make the allowance for Senator Cameron
that we have always made for Mr. Van
derbit. Senator Cameron's confession OF
faith is Mr. Vanderbllt's more elegantly
expressed. He means TO say that he
does not care what happens TO the peo-
pie Of the United States so that IL does
not happen TO him. That as q senator
from Pennsylvania. 1t is his business to
bargain for legislation that will take
money out Of the pockets Of all the
other people Of the United States so
that il puts ii into the pocvkes of Penn
sylyania manufacturers. and st IS Of no
consequence how the rest OF the peo-
pie Of the country may suffer II he
can make and carry out his bargains
with congressman from silver States.
A great part Of Senator Cameron's
speech was devoted to the English buga-
boo. He said:
The chief claim OF our nation 10 merit
In the eyes of every Republican citizen
white or black. rich or pooS whose opin-
Ion We regard, 10 that from FIRST to last