New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-07-11
SITTER EXTREMISTS.

1t is not impossible that senator lcllcr, OF
Colorado. and Senator Stewart, of Nevada
actually believe that the recent action of the
India Council with regard to silver coinage
is part of a conspiracy entered into between
President Cleveland, Mr.. Gladstone and the
considerable number of persons the world over
who are denounced as "gOld bugs These
two Senator's have for so many years consld-
cred all political questions, including intcrna-
tonal complications. in the sole light of their
influence upon the leading industry of Colorado
and Nevada that the subject occupies appar-
emily their entire intellectual horizon. They
are intelligent persons men of affairs both
have been long in public life and have had
large experience in matters of politics and gov
ernmcnt. 1t seems almost incredible that two
such men can honestly entertain the notion
that the whole civilized world is not only
arraycd against the mining industry which they
represent, but has actually entered into a secret
conspiracy to overthrow and destroy it. Yet
this seems to be their view. 1t is not for us
to say that they do not hold it conscicntiously
and sincerely. But we must say that it seems
to us amazing.
The people interested in silver production
have a perfect right to hold the opinion
that free silver coinage or the purchase
of Silver in large quantities by the
Government is a good thing for all the
people. They have right TO urge that view
through their Senators and Representatives
upon Congress, but when they say they will
prevent by parliamentary obstruction or dila-
tory tactics the representatives, OF the people
from taking any action not consonant with that
view they take a step beyond reason and with
out justification, which ean only result in their
eventual discontinue. Where is no hostility
anywhere to the interests represented by the
silver Senators. On the contrary, the capital
lists. money lenders and business men of the
East, who are so passionatcly denounced as
gold bugs" and usurerS, have an equal in
terest with the miners and minc-owners OF
Colorado and Nevada in the prosperity and
success of their special industry. They do not
believe that the measures now in operation or
those recommended by the silver men are cal
cuated to promote the end sought. They do
believe that their effect will be specially dis
advantageous to the miners and mne-owncrs
and disastrous to the business OF the whole
country. They reject the notion that this coun-
try alone can force bimetallism upon the rest
of the world by any Of the measures proposed,
and they firmly believe that the attempt TO do
it would entail the most ruinous consequences.
And while they are not Overhcatcd, they arc
very much in earnest about it.
1t is not reasonable to suppose that there is
any combination or conspiracy TO demOnetize
silver. That notion is, if possible wilder than
the other which seems to possess some Of the
silver advocates, that the act OF 1873 was
also the result of a conspiracy for the de-
monetization of silver and that great fortunes
were made by Senators and Representatives
who were interested in the plot. The low
price Of silver and consequent depression in
silver mining are not deplored more by the
people of Colorado and Nevada than by the
people of the Eastern States. But it is be-
leved by many of the latter that much bet
ter, safer and surer remedy than free coinage
or Government purchases would be found in
the ordinary procedure Of limiting production
and diminishing the output until the operation
of the law of supply and demand effected the
end desired. 1t is not matter, as we have
said before, to be discussed with passion or
in anger. There is no call for charges OF con- :
spiracy, for recriminatOn or threats. And we
take leave to say that the language in which
Senators Teller and Stewart are reported to
have INDUCED is neither statesmanlike nor
sane They are only injurng their own reputa-
tons and damaging their own causes.