Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1893-07-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From Our Regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON, July z, 1S03-
What will the Republicans do in the
comirg congress? That question has
been asked so often since Mr.. Cleve-
land issued his unexpected proclama-
ton convening congress in extra ses-
sion-on August 9TH, that your cor
respondent has endeavored to answer
it by obtaining the views of Republi-
can congressman who have been in
Washington during this week. Not
many have been here, but the unan-
unity OF opinion among those seen
makes it fair to presume that they
voiced the sentiments OF at least three
fourths of the Republicans in both
house and senate, and their opinions
may be summed up about thusly:-
The Democrats having a majority in
both house and senate, there exists
no reason for the PRONUNCIATION OF a
Republican programme. This is the
business OF the majority. When that
programme is presented the Republl-
cans with few exceptions may be
counted upon to lay aside all desire
to obtain mere partisan advantage
and to stand up for so much of it as
may be for the benefit of the country.
In short, il Mr.. Cleveland s programme
be patriotic one it will be supported
by the Republicans, who have in every
public crisis since the party was rep
resented In congress proven them
selves to be patriots first and parti-
sans afterwards. Nobody need worry
about the position OF Republicans in
congress; they will be found voting for
the right every time.
Every ybody, including members OF
tine cabinet ana other leading Demo
Gratis are III the dark about what Mr..
Cleveland's programme will be. 1t Is
known, OF course, that he wishes the
Sherman silver law repealed, but no.
body seems to know whether he has
any idea of n substitute for that meas
ure that will provide in some way fol
the silver already owned by the gov.
well as for the future of silver as q
money metal. 1t is not necessary foi
II man to be n skilled iinancier i'm or
der for him to see the necessity fol
repealed ali other silver laws and tc
unconditionally repeal it would be tC
wipe out all recognition OF silver a.
money, to put the country upon a
single gold standard and to turn tn,
silver money now owned by the gov
! ernment INTO just so many ounces o
silver bullion; and few among even the
most extreme advocates OF a golc
standard believe that such u radlca
change could be so suddenly mad
l. without Wholesale disaster, and it i
not believed here that it will be possi
BILE to accomplish the unconditiona
repeal OF the Sherman law, while tn
belief is general that it can easily
repealed II IL reasonable and senslbl
substitute therefor is presented. MI
Cleveland has a grand opportunity {
prove himself patriotic presiden
and his message to congress, whic
- will be generally accepted as the of
cial programme ofhis party, will sho
to what extent he takes advantage {
it.
A little incident took place on Wed
nesday of this week in the temporar
office OF the record and pension div
sion OF the war department, whic
passed through the Ford's theat,
70 horror, that adds another proof I
the many already existing that
black skin may cover a hero's hear
1t was the presentation of a handson
I'll gold watch to the negro, Basil Loc
wood, who at the risk of his own Ii
was instrumental in rescuing sevent
five clerks from the upper floor of Il
wrecked building. One of the rescu,
clerks made the presentation speec
and his closing words tell the stor
with the fearful crash offalling foo
still sounding in our ears and {
-. means of our dying comrades conf
all up to us from the awful wreck, wi
the floor under our feet and the wa
larouud us still trembling from t