Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-07-27
TAKING THEIR OWN DUST.
Republican Responsibility for the Passas
of the Sherman Law.

Republican Responsibility Tor the HaSS3St
of the Sherman Law.
The reluctance of the republicans to
accept the credit for the passage of the
Sherman law is wholly ex post facto.
In the fall of 1890 some of them Were
alarmed lest the democrats would al
some time or other lay claim to part
of the credit.
1t will be remembered that after the
bill was passed speculation in silver be-
came very active and the price was run
up to s1.21 per ounce, with possibly a
few sales at higher figure. For the
| moment it appeared as if the prophecy
of those who had predicted that the
bill would bring the bullion value OF
silver to parity with its coming value,
or $1,000, was gong to be fulfilled.
Accordingly, on September 10. 1890, the
republicans of Indiana in their plat
form pointed with PRIDE in the fol-
lowing expressive fashion:
eve cordially commend the action OF the re-
publicans in congress on the subject OF silver
coinage. Ex-President Cleveland, by messages
to congress, strongly opposed all legislation
favorable to silver coinage, and the law recent
ly enacted was passed in spite Of persistent
democratic opposition. Under its benehcent
influences silver has rapidly approached tho
gold standard Of value. farm products are ad.
vancing IN price and commerce is feeling the
impulse OF increased prosperity. 1t will add
more than $50, 0Oo0,0OO annually Of sound cur.
rency to the amount in circulation among the
people. and is q long yet prudent step toward
free coinage
We do not find in this resolution any
evidence that the republicans of Mr..
Harrison's state regarded the Sherman
act as necessary to head off free coin
age, but on the contrary that they re-
garded it as wise legislation and a long
step toward free coinage.
The Indiana republicans were not
without some good reason for making
these assertions. A leading republican
congressman. Mr.. Conger. of Iowa,
when he offered the conference report
on the bill in the house, had spoken as
follows:
This measure will be given to the country,
am happy to say, by republicans. It was agreed
upon in conference by republicans only. 1t was
passed in yonder chamber only Dy republican
votes and suspect that it may pass here only
by republican votes. It will then go where it
will be signed by a republican president, and
from there it will go to the country, which, in
November next, will give such a republican in
dorsement that many of you gentlemen will
not be found here to pass upon the next silver
measure that may come before congress 1t is
Mr.. Speaker in line with republican judgment
and republican policy"
Mr.. Conger was quite right in saying
that many of the members of the house
who then heard him would not be mem
bers of the next congress. In this he
proved himself a true prophet, albeit
one of those who keep the word of
promise to the ear only. Mr.: Conger
hot rn
man law would be so great that many
democratic congressman would fail OF
reelection. 1t turned out just the other
way. 1t was the pubi:cans of whom
so many failed to get back, and Mr..
Conger was one of them, though candcr
compels the admission that the silver
bill was not the principal cause of their
failure.
This is by no means all the. evidence
availa bile on this subject, Various other
conventions held IN 1890
the Sherman act. Califor-
MIA Endorsed it. Arizona complimented
it, but demanded free coinage. Idaho
called it "a splendid victory over the
enemies of silver" Kansas called it
step in the right direction Michigan
indorsed 1t. North Carolina returned
the thanks of the American people to
congress for passing the bill and to Mr..
Harrison for signing it.. Tennessee
the country in the wise
solution of the silver question:. West
Virginia congratulated congress on the
of the bill. There were more
Of the same sort. but these will suffice
until the republican organs do sonse
more denying on the subject.-Louis-
vile Courier.J Orrnal