Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-05
SUNDAY. FEBRUARY 5, 1893
Hill Would Test Them.

Hill Would Test Them.
We have never given our readers any
reason to expect the repeal OF the SHER-
MAN silver law by the present Congress.
Nevertheless, we have expressed the
opinion that the present Congress is
more likely than the next Congress Will
be to perform that duty. In other
words. the silverites or bimetallists are
numerous enough in each house of the
present Congress to prevent hostile legis-
lation on the subject Of silver. And yet
we we're surprised to learn-what the
proceedings in the Senate on Friday
made apparent or rather probable
that the prospect of repeating the SHER-
MAN silver law was not in Mr.. SHER-
MANS OPINION bright enough to
justify him in calling up the bill to ac-
complish that object. He was in dead
earnest, for he said that whenever he was
assured that there was majority OF the
Senate in favor OF the repeating bill re-
ported by him he would move to take up
that bill. Mr.. VEsT, Of Missouri, q
Democrat, whilst defending Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND from the charge Of unduly endea-
yoring to influence the action OF Congress
on the silver question, took occasion to
say that he did not agree with the Presi-
dent-elect on that question. Mr.. TELLER,
q Republican, asserted his confident be-
lief that it was not among the possibii-
ties that the SHERMAN act would be re-
pealed at the current session OF Con-
gress.
Mr.. HILL, the practical senator from
New York, tired Of the nonsense In
which the Republicans indulge when
ever the silver question comes up IN the
Senate. gave notice on Friday that on
Monday next he would move to take up
the bill to repeal the silver-purchasing
act. He proposes to put the Republi-
can senators to the test, and place upon
record the action of the Republican
senators on this all-impo-tant subject.
The strength manifested in the elections
OF November last by the binetallists OF
the Pacific and Rocky-Mountain and
Northwestern States has caused halt to
be called in the march of the monomet-
allists to the head Of the column.
We suppose that Mr.. HILL suspects
the Republican senator's OF q willingness
TO let the SHERMAN silver law remain
upon the statute-book until Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND assumes the presidential robes.
They hope thus to embarrass him and
throw obstacles in the way OF success
full administration Of the government
We do not know whether this surmise OF
Mr.. HILL's is true or not; but we are
confident that in proportion as MIR.
CLEVELAND strives to have this question
settled during Mr.. HARRIsoN's term the
Republicans Of the House Of Represent
atives, led by Gar REED. will redouble
their efforts to have it left as stumbling
block in the way of the next President.
That was no doubt an important con-
sultation which took place in New York
on Friday last between Mr.. CLEVELAND
and Messrs CARLISLE, DICKINSON. Cor
MAN, WHITNEY. LAMONT, and Others,
but il was more likely conference on
the Hawaiian question than on the silver
question.
We dread the results Of the stupid op-
position OF the monometallists OF England
TO legislation friendly to the white metal.
England, France. Germany, and the
United States have 1t within their power
to solve the silver problem and in solving
il to leave the financial world in better
condition than it was ever in before
But no. Monometellism is the accepted
theory Of the British fnanciers. and NOT
even the great Mr.. GLADSTONE will bend
his ear to the earth to hear the voice oil
mankind on this question. The result
may be dire disaster. Certainly it does
not seem possible that the United
States can long buy and coin annu
ally s54.OO0,0OO worth OF silver and
not cause much trouble to all TIT
nations of the earth. However. it vii
be righteous retribution If and wher
it falls upon England. The fact is tina
the people of England are grossly igno
rant on this question. 1t is one in which
they have never taken an interest.