New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-30
A CRISIS. SAYS SECRETARY HERBERT
THE PARTY IN POWER WILL BE JUDGED BY

THE PARTY IN POWER WILL BE JUDGED By
THE WISDOM IT NOW SHOWS.
Washington. June 30 (spcciaO-oecr"'nry heroer'
gave to-day 10 a local interviewer, some Interesting
comments on the e neral decline OF the PopuEst ae
tation In Alabama and Other southern states. Whch
asked at the close Of his talk abont the efect on
silver In this country OF the recent acuon oi e ''
council. he replied:
az think that the stoppagc OF The coinage Of sil
YER in India IS the greatest blow that has been given
to the Sherman law and to the free conng" OF Sill
yer. The free coinage OF silver In India mas pceh
pointed 10 as object lesson by the advocates Of
free coinage In this country. For ten years men III
Col gres, have drawn one lesson and another from
India looking at It from different points OF view II
has been urged upon the farmers that india had On
advantage over the United States In n higher price
for wheat because the currency I'm India was all sl
YER ignoring fact that while they might get more
for their wheat In their own currency, the price III
cold was no greater and the commodities which they
bought with the money they got for their wheat had
TO be paid for gold basis. and still further over
locking the loss through high exchange. Another
argument often repeated still in support IL free coin
age in this country but the converse OF this, has been
for years that the reason for the heavy cost OF cx
change between India and England was that IL was
kept up by England for the benefit OF English mer-
chants that they might sap the very life out OF India
Now the coinage OF silver there is voluntarily stopped
with the consent OF India, ana ts TACT tumbIcs over
both those arguments-that the silver currency was
n benefit TO the farmers OF India and that the ex-
change was on n system for the bcne1t Fl England
ADO YOU think the silver question presents scri-
ous danger 10 the Democratic party at this timel'
at mink We have reached a crisis aH1 that the
marty in power will be judged by the wisdom they
show IN giving the Nation sound currency
These views are OF interest OF course, IA reflect
Ing that decided change Of opinion on silver which
Mr. Herberts former Southern colleagues In Congress
are now so generally experiencing, helped as Is by
the pressure OF personal ambition and party spos.
Until the last year of his long service as member Of
the House Of Representatives, Mr.. Herbert was an
aggressive and consistent advocate OF the free coin
oc. Of silver He voted for the original Bland bill.
which provided for unlimited silver coinage In the
XIvth Congress, and In the List Congress he voted
fOr the Senate frcctOnagc amendment 10 the bullion
purchase bill. lie cast many other votes for free
coinage so late as March, 1867 h. voted With
Bland and other free coinage Democrats I'm the House
on a collateral motion affecting the same question.
In February 1893. however, he voted with other
Democrats who favored the consideration OF the bill,
and against Bland and the Out-snd-out free silver
men. He had evidently begun to modify his views
some time before he became member OF President
Clcvelapds Cabinet. Nevertheless. In view OF Mr..
Herberts record legislator his declaration that
I" the party in power will be judged by the wisdom
they show In giving the Nation q sound currency Is
Us gratifying as II Is significant.