The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-08-17
Tho Senate the Obstacle.


There does not seem 10 be any doubtthat
the House viii vote 70 repeal uncondi-
tionaly the sherman silver law. A con-
I. scrvative estimate is that a majority Of
thirty can be depended upon 10 vote for
repeal But the opinion is gaining ground
that the Senate IS against uncon-
ditional repeal. The Washington Post
stated a day or two ago that the Senate
would not vote for unconditional repeal if
every bank in New York were 10 break.
This statement, it asserted, was made
upon authority that could not be ques-
toned Since that statement was pub
lished others Of the same character have
been made The Washington CORE
spondent Of the MORNING NEWS, who
has excellent opportunities of finding out
the standing of the Senate on the silver
question, stated in his dispatches yester-
day that a majority of that body could not
be depended upon to vote for uncondi-
tional repeal. There are senator's who do
not seem to take into consideration the
financial condition Of the country. They
hold to their opinions regardless of what
the consequences may be- What the
great majority of the people want does
not appear TO have any weight with them
as it does with the members of the House.
They are not as close to the people as the
members of the House, and they feel that
they are in less danger from the dissatis-
faction Of the people if they do not yield
to the popular will. If the Sherman sill
yer law is not Internationally repealed
the Senate is the obstacle that will pre-
vent its repeal in that shape.
Much wonder is expressed as to what
Senator German is doing. He is regarded
as the democratic leader of the Senate in
this silver matter, being a member of the
steering committee" No one knows
what his purpose is He is working mys-
teriously, and his movements are the sub
iect of a good deal of comment He has
said nothing for publication since con-
gress convened. The impression is that
he is trying to find basis for a compro-
mise that will command the approval of
all the democrats. 1t seems to be the
understanding that he desires that what
ever is done in respect to silver shall be
done by the democrats.
1t will be a difficult matter to suggest a
compromise that will be acceptable to all
the democrats. They differ greatly as to
what should be done in respect to silver
Mr.. Cleveland recognized the existence of
this difference of opinion and in his mes
sage endeavored to take the question of
giving prompt relief to the people from
their financial troubles out of politics.
The majority of the House is inclined to
follow his lead, but the majority of the
Senate is not.
The people approve the course adopted
by the President because they have ur-
gent and imperative need for relief. Here
in the south, for instance, there is going
to be great difficulty in getting money
with which to move the cotton crop, and
the want of money is obstructing business
and paralyzing industries. The prompt
and unconditional repeal of the Sherman
silver law would restore confidence and
cause money to become abundant. The
Senate, however, will not assist in bring
ing about this desirable condition of af-
fairs. 1t prefers that the country shall
suffer while it discusses new ratio for
silver. Why not give the relief first and
discuss the question of ratio after
wards2