The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-10-12

! tions between the north and the south
which they did few years ago.
"A Firebrand In the Senate.
| The bill now goes over to the senate,
where it is expected to act as firebrand in
that body. There the debate on the silver
bill has dragged its weary length along I'M
til the patience of every one is well nigh ex-
hausted. There is Il renewal OF the talk
that an effort will be made within a day or
two to supplant the silver bill with this
elections bill. All the silver senators would
be willing to vote for sidetracking the
voorhees, bill even with this measure,
though they would instantly turn round
and oppose it almost as bitterly as they
, have opposed the other. AS Mr.. Dubois,
the young leader of the silver wing, said
today: I'VE are ready to throw solid vote
for taking up the elections bill. and then
we will throw solid vote against its pas
sage"
The Critical Stage Reached.
It is confessed on all sides that the crit
ical stage in the long and somewhat bitter
cam paign has been reached. Within few
days now the contest must be decided one
way or The other. The managers of the re-
peal campaign must find way to force a
vote, or they must make terms of compro-
mise with the opposition. If the bill should
be sidetracked by this elections measure,
that would be the end of it. 1t would never
be taken up again, at least not at this ses-
sion of congress. Still another alternative
has been presented and may be adopted be-
fore the week is out. That is to have re-
cess of congress for two or three weeks, so
that the senators may mingle with their
constituents and ascertain on their own ac-
count what is the state of public opinion.
President Cleveland and some Of his Off
cial advisers believe tie senators who min
gle with the people would return to Wash
ington convinced that nothingis to be done
but to pass unconditional repeal. On the
other hand, the silver senators maintain
that public opinion has been swinging in
their direction for some weeks past, and
that senators are sure to be influenced the
otherway. There you have it, and you may
take your choice.
Why the Silver Men Hang On.
1t transpires that one explanation of the
bitterness and persistency with which the
silver leaders have fought their campaign
arises from their knowledge OF the fact that
if the existing law be repealed it will be
absolutely impossible to replace it with
anything favorable to silver SO long as Mr..
Cleveland sits in the White House. For
more than three years to come the statute
books would be absolutely closed to any
measure designed to rehabilitate the white
metal. Even beyond the term of Mr. Cleve-
lands occupancy of the White House it
would be exceedingly difficult to accom-
plish any silver legislation. though public
opinion should be very strong in its favor.
The reason for this is that it is always
hundred times easier to prevent legisla-
ton than to achieve it. In the senate a
few resolute men may prevent action, while
the same men, joined by enough others to
make large majority, would themselves
find it impossible to construct or pass any
legislation were they to attempt it. There
fore the silver men say they will hold to
that which they have already upon the
statute books until they can secure some
thing nearly as good.
The Ambitions of Statesmen.
Many statesmen become possessed of an
ambition to have their names attached to
important legislation. 1t is often the max
ing of public man to have bis name iden-
titled with some important act OF congress,
such as tariff bill or a currency bill. Sen
ator Faulkner of West Virginia was among
the first to propose an amendment 10 the
present silver bill, and he has been exceed
ingly active in lis efforts TO secure its
adoption. He was actuated thereto I'M
doubtedly by the conviction that he was
doing the best thing for his party and the
country, but it is equally sure that he did
not overlook the personal advantage which
might be accrued therefrom by having his
name connected with compromise which
should settle one of the most memorable
struggles which the United States senate
has engaged in since the war.
Senator Sherman's Regret.
Another senator would be glad if his
name had not been connected with the sill
yer bill. Reference Is made TO John SEer
man, after whom the existing silver law
has been universally called. Many people
have fallen into the error of surprising that
because the act was connected with Mr.
Sherman's name il was drawn By HIM
aud represented his views upon currency
questions. Some people have even been
surprised that Mr.. Sherman should now be
in favor OF repeating the most important
claus. Of his own law. The truth about II
Is, OF course that the so called Sherman
act was passed as compromise between
the gold standard and free coinage factions
of the senate III "A time when the Republic
ans were IN control of that body and Mr.
Sherman was chairman OF the finance coui-
mittee This circumstance led to his I.aUse
being tackled upon the bill, and probably
Mr.. Sherman would give coed deal Of
money to be able completely 70 dlsown LIS
namesake.
landmarks in New York city are rapidly
being supplanted by Few aid more pretea-