The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-08-03
THE FIGHT AT HAND.

in session. This is one of the few
instances in the III years OF our ma
tons history when congress has been
convened in extraordinary ses-
sion and perhaps the present
offers the most extraordinary
occasion for such session. From
east to west and from north to south
the people are tossed upon troubled
sea of monetary unrest. The condi-
ton of the per cent of cash of the
nation has terribly impressed the 90
per cent of credit and there is uneasi-
ness everywhere in business.
Congress las been called together to
devise some specific with which to dose
this per cent of cash. 1t is an ex-
ceedingly delicate and difficult ques
ton. Were the proportion between
cash and credit more nearly equal the
trouble and danger would be lessened.
But as it is, when you touch that 8 per
cent of cash ashudder runs all through
the 05 per cent of credit and business
trembles on the brink of panic.
The political party in power is
pledged to the adjustment of the cash
of the nation to a better relative basis
and more stable character. The first
step to accomplish this, it is conceded
on all sides, is to cease max
ing of silver commodity,
to cease buying bullion under
the Sherman act and piling it up in
the Unions warehouse, the national
treasury. What will then follow is
among the most clouded uncertain
ties. But this at least is certain: The
people have elected Democratic pres
ident, senate and house of representa-
tives, the whole government machinery
is in the hands of the same political
party. That party secured this won
derful victory on pledges to the people
clearly and publicly made, and by the
people accepted That party, at its per-
il, cannot fail to carry out in good faith
those pledges. Democrats represent
ing as diversified interests, as per force
of circumstances they must, doubt
less will view the same question differ
emily, but in every instance local ad-
vantage must give place to the general
good. Congress in this matter is to
legislate for the great Union of states,
for their people and not for any indi-
dividual state or class of people.
1t is extremely fortunate at this time
that we have in the White House a
president who holds the confidence of
the people as it has rarely if ever been
the lot of president to be esteemed.
And while it may be true that he won |
the presidency the second time be-
cause of the tariff issue he struck off |
some six years ago, still his views on
the money question were as we'll
known ashose on tariff. The people |
knowing those views, and taking
the national Democratic plat
form to mean what it said,
with comprehensive grasp took hold
of congress and the executive and
with one swoop tade the whole bust
ness Democratic. So it is that to the
leader in this bloodless revolution is
not only due the greatest credit, but
upon him now falls the greatest re-
sponsibility and to his views should
be Welded an almost absolute acoui-
escence. He is the mouthpiece of the
people as never has president been.
Far greaterright has he to that position
than the commonly yielded to "popu-
lar branch of congress" Thus it is
the nation anXiously awaits President
Cleveland's message that will outline
his policy. For the people feel that
that policy should rule in the deliber
ations and acts of this congress. And |
that it will so rule we honestly believe:
for very unpleasant should it be made |
for that man or set of men of the DEM
ocratic.party who run counter to it.
Not that we believe in one man power
or would detract in the least from the
dignity, power and freedom of any
member of congress, but in this mat
ter where there is such terrible diver |
gence of opinion and where there is so |
much at stake, the nation needs an J