The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1893-12-14
FOR FRKE COINAGE
Outlook for SILVER in the
Present Congress.
NOT AS ENCOURAGING AS MIGHT Be
Still There Are Some Plausible
Reasons Why q Free Coinage bill
Might Pass Congress Near the
Close of the Present Session
What Would Make 1T SO.

new coinage bill IN the house the effect
of which, if enacted into law, says the
San Francisco Chronicle would he to re-
establish free silver coinage as it existed
under the statute of 1887. @ s
OF course, there is little if any propect
that the measure will pass, at least for
the present, Notwithstanding the fact
that a majority Of each house are in favor
of free coinage; or if passed now, that
the bill could receive the approval of the
president. Mr.. Cleveland's message clear
ly indicates that he is opposed to any
coinage legislation at this time. And
whaterver changes may hereafter occur
1T is still apparent that he dominates
his party to such an extent as to enable
HIM to prevent the passage Of bill which
he would be certain to veto. But changes
may occur The continuance of the indus
trial distress which already hangs like
pail over many portions of the country
may have the effect to arouse a public
sentiment which will find expression in
congress. And there are considerations
which may strongly incline the democrats
to favor silver legislation for party rea-
sons. They have entered upon crusade
against the protective system. It is in
evitable that they will pass so-called
reform tariff bill in some shape They
may be driven to abandon particular
features of the Wilson bill, but in the
main it will go through and receive
Cleveland's approval. Tariff reduction is
to be the shibboleth of the party not
withstanding the lesson in Ohio and
Massachusetts. But if hard times CON
tinue, as is altogether likely, if the mills
and mines continue to close down, if starv-
alton Continues to stalk among the miners
and operatives, the democrats will be
forced to find an explanation beyond the
effect OF tariff change or confess the dis
astrous etfec ts Of their policy. And this
condition OF affairs may serve to embolden
the democratic opponents of the gold con-
splracy to stand out against Cleveland
Under these circumstances silver coin
age bill might be passed even against the
objections of the president.
But the present interest in the cam
paign which Mr.. Bland has SO promptly
opened lies in inquiry as to whether the
Representatives and senators who asserted
when they gave their adhesion to the re-
peal bill that they were in favor of indie
pendent legislation in favor of silver will
now be ready to redeem their promise. |
1t will be remembered, for instance, that |
Senator Voorhees, proclaimed on occa-
sions that he was in favor of silver coin
age. Indeed, he has never recanted his
ofttimes sworn devotion to free coinage.
And so in the house. The records will |
show that clean majority of the men,
bers have pledged themselves to vote for
some measure for the recognition Of silver
in the mint. 4I
We observe that Mr.. Bland expresses
the opinion that the committee on coin
age will report free coinage bill to the
house. If this is done, Mr.. Bland will not
find it difficult to discover whether he
has majority with him.
And in considering the outlook for sill
yer legislation 1t should be borne IN mind
that congressional elections will be near
at hand before congress adjourns. There
is little doubt that the constituencies of
clear majority of representatives would
vote for silver coinage. Members desiring
20 be reelected will not fail to take this
nto account.
A few weeks will show whether the
riends Of silver in congress on the DEM
'cratic side have the courage and indie
oendence of their convictions, orwhether
hey will be entirely subservient to the
administration. SO far as the republican
liver men are concerned, We think that
hey can be relied upon to stand firm for
liver legislation.