New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-10
A BIG SILVER HUMBUG.
DEMOCRATIC PRETENCE IN THE SENATE
EXPOSED BY Mr. ALDNCH.
PROMPT OBJECTION TO PROPOSALS TO VOTE
on MEASURES FOR SUSPENSION OF
SILVER PURCHASES.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.1

Washington, Jan. Ex-senator Mcpherson succeeded
to-day In making his long deferred speech advocating
the repeal OF the Sherman Silver Purchase act OF leoo
He also succeeded with the help Of Senator Aldrch
in demonstrating very forcibly what piece OF pure
political humbug Is the present osten,atous effort OF
the called Cleveland Democrats in Congress to bring
about Q suspension of the purchases OF silver bullion
Mr. Mcpherson spoke long and pointedy on the dangers
Of further silver imitation. and declared that the Dem
Ocratc party was pledged 10 its speedy stoppagc.
To test the real feeling of the Democratic party In the
Senate the question Of repeal, Mr. Aldrch pro
posed a substitute resolution directing the suspension
Of silver purchases after January L. 1894 In case no
international agreement should be reached before then
On this proposition, he sad the Republican side would
agree to vote at O'Clock tomorrow. Unanimous
consent asked for order TO this effect and no
one the Republican side objected. Senator Daniel
Of Virginia. promptly interposed, however, and pre-
vented any agreement for vote on either the Me
thereon Aldrich resolution.
This little incident showed very clearly the actual
situation In the Senate with regard silver legsla
tea at this session. The movement now afoOt for
the repeal Of the Sherman act IS with the men who
are directing II here piece Of transparent mmbng
The so called Cleveland Democrats In Congress, who
form but small minority Of their party, nave lot
tfe last month been loudly camoring for fulhlmen
Of the Chicago Platforms promise to cut of further
silver purchases. They hope TO make some noise
through the country and leave the Impression that
thar failure far 10 accomplish any thing.
The fact is that the great bulk Of the Democrats In
Congress bitterly opposed ID the repeal Of the
sherman act unless the Bland act or something worse
Is revived q substitute for the present law Tie
extreme free.conage Democrats In both houses have
No intention Of allowing the repeal OF the monthly
purchase provision In force and they have the
power prevent such action II they are beaten
q direct vote. by resorting to flibusterng. MI.
Daniel did not tell Mr.. Mcpherson today that four
nfths OF the Democrats In the South were as ready
NV - talk any repeal legislation 10 death as they
~evs to hu the Elections bill in the same manner
two years ago.
Mr.. Teller, however, after consent TO vote TO-
morrow had been refused, frank enough TO say
that the silver State Senators would unite with the
frscconage Democrats TO block any legislation nosue
TO silver. and that every senator in the BODY Ahe"
that the repeal OF the sherman law at ths session
was a parliamentary impossibilty Every senator
knew this, Of course. though nobody had had the
brutality state thus brusquey the fact that senator
Mcpherson and his coadjutors are simply trying TO
gull TIE public, and perhaps tie Presidentelec by
pretending that there is some chance at tms session
of anti silver legislation. The great majority oil inc
Republican Senators In favor OF a stoppase oi
silver purchases and would vote at any time foF M
unconditional repeal Of the present law But they
know the utter hopelessness of an effort 70 secure
repeal now and are dinclned 10 waste time on such
an absolutely unpromsine venture
Mr. Teller and the Democratic Senators were per-
haps wiser than they knew when they defeated the
closure rule proposed in the Senate two years ago.
Thew can and will now apply the same tactics TO de-
Law and obstruction against anti silver measure rs
tbev did with such success in 1891 TO defeat purely
political bill As long the present rules govern
tie Senate no bill Of any kind can be passed when
Is vitality repugnant TO strong minority. Inc silver
Senators will TO length TO prevent interference
With the present silver Purchase law. ana they con-
not he brought TO terms under the Senate rules curing
any short session OF Congress. Mr.. Mcpherson ana
Mr. Carlisle are safe therefore, In posing as champions
OF the Sherman act and clamorng for fulhlment OF
the Chicago platform. Their own colleagues IN the
Senate will see that they do not 90 any damage
to the silver interest and fully satisfied IN the
hope Of political advantage in the East 10 ict tnei'
20 through the motions Of proposing legislation when
has no possible chance OF accomplishment Ids Is
the silver situation In nutshell as the inoidehts OF
to-day only make more clear.
The debate upon the joint resolution introduced
on December p by Mr.. Mcpherson. authorizing ana
directing tho Secretary Of the Treasury 70 susp;hd al
purchases Of silver bullion under the act OF July ID
1900 Mr. Mcpherson addressed the senate upon It,
The text OF his speech the plank In the last Demo
cratic National Convention den 1uncnG tie sherman
bill as d cowardy makeshlft, and declaring that that
leg station must be repealed. II was on the strength
Of that pledge he said that more t8n 100 electoral
votes were gvcu 10 Mr.. Cleveland, not one OF which
MIGRATE party was soon 10 be In absolute control
OF the legislative and Executive Departments OF the
Government in all its branches the people demahued
10 know when and In what mode that pledge was TO
be fulfilled.
In obedience to that demand the distinguished sena-
tor from New-York (Ir HID, had introduced bill
to repeal the sherman act. As foil TO that BILL the
distinguished Senator from Nevada Nlr. STEWART again
yaulted into the arena with all his oldtlmc vgor with
the dollar OF tle daddes and open mlnts. lie dd
SO rs the directly responsible representative III was
70 be assumed Of the new party which he had done so
much to create, and with scalps OF Republican states
men hanging at his belt. The sherman law (Mr Nc
Pberson continued) mere Republican con
trivance invented intended 10 hold the silver
producing States OF the West then wavcring In their
aliegIance) firmly In the Republican column. Inc
public Interest had been thus sacrificed TO partisan al
vantage.
Mr.. MCPHERSON had not finished his speech at
2 O'clock when the Quarantine bill was laid before
the Senate as the special order; but 1t was laid
inside Temporarily 10 allow Mr.. Mcpherson to con-
clude. lie asked by Mr.. Stewart how he would
correct the deficiency in gold. HIS reply was ulat
he would utilize all the gold which the Governments
had and prevent It's being boarded lie wopid leave
gold In circulation He would then stop the pr
chase Of silver absolutely. In his opinion the true
answer. the only answer would be found In re-
yersing the silver policy Of the Government. b.
metalnsm would not venture forth from any European
States until demand was made. not In resolutions
or pteous appeals. but In positive aggressive acuon
The Government should buy no silver and coin none
until the effect Of snch action should determine the
future monetary policy Of European States
= After several Senators had put questions and made
observations Mr.. Harris infcrposcd and protested
against unnecessary consumption Of the time OF the
Senate, and he wished TO proceed with the con
sideraion OF the Quarantine bill. Mr.. Mcpherson
promised that he would yield no farther but proceed
to end his remarts-which he accordingly did
As soon as he had resumed his seat. Mr.. Aldrch
save notice Of his intention 10 offer amendment
10 Mr.. McPhersOns joint resolution. TIE amend
msnt was read at the clerks desk. II Is Il sub
st,tute for Mr.. Mcphersons joint resolution. the