The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-28
ACT QUICKLY.
Non. Partisan Consideration
Of Currency.
Republican Efforts for Relief Can
Hardly Be Counted Upon.

wAsuIxGroS. Dec. %. Secretary Car
Isle is assiduously at work with the DEM
ocratio leaders endeavorlng to bring them
together on somc kind OF remedial cur
rency legislation. lie Is trying 60 impress
them with the fact that their only hope or
chance OF securing an enlargement OF the
banking system that will benefit southern
states is the adoption Of some plan at the
present session.
IL tnsy allow the present opportunity to
pass, it may be years before they again get
control OF congress and the executive.
Both the president and himself regard IL
as OF the utmost Importance that the Dem
ocratio party should get together and
agree upon some scheme upon which they
can harmonize the conflicting views in the
party on this subject
While the president and himself recon-
mended tho plan, they are not welded
particularly 10 it, bat would approve Of
any measure which congress might pass
calculated TO promote best the interests OF
the country, regardless of It's paternity.
Prompt Action Necessary.
Both these high officials regard IL as I'M
Derative that some financial or currency
reform legislation should be adopted at
the present session. The condition Of the
treasury alone, the secretary thinks, ought
to be sufficient to stimulate prompt action.
Tho commercial distress which has so
long afflicted the country is not
limited TO the adherents of a
particular party, and the cry for
relief IL not addressed to either the Dem
oorntic or the Republican party, but to the
congress-. which Is composed of both
parties. each being equally under obliga-
tions to exercise It's best effort for the pro-
motion Of the public welfare, and each
sharing proportionally TO its numerical
strength In the responsibility for legisla-
tion to preserve the national credit and
honor.
The Democrats, IL appears, are about
equally divided on the pending bill, and
when adjournment took place there were
very few encouraging signs looking to
unity either on the line of the pending
proposition, as modified, or any other that
has been suggested
Republican Aid Needed.
It ID now admitted, both by the presi-
dent and Secretary Carlisle that IL any
currency bill is to be passed during the
present session, IL must be largely with
tho aid of Republican votes. Unfortu-
nately, the Republican leaders do not ex.-
hfbit disposition to assist4'n the prepara-
tfons Of . measure of relief, and seem dis
posed to allow sss Democrats to founder
along until the expiration OF the session,
regardless Of the effect upon the business
interests Of the country.
This course 10 justified by many of the
Republican leaders on the ground that
their party Is not responsible for the
affirmative legislation. From the narrow.
partisan point of view this Is considcrs,
rood politics; but some of the Repu
cans arc inclined to believe that sue.
course is not very patriotic, inasmuch as /,
would bo an evasion OF the responsibility
shared by every representative and would
prolong the general financial and com
mercial distress merely that partisan ad-
vantage might be secured.
Another Scheme.
Some Of the Democratic members OF the
banking and currency committee. incud.
Ing Sperry Of Connecticut and Cubcrson
Of Texas, have under consideration n bill
70 provide for the funding of the green
backs and United States treasury notes
now outstanding by the issue of bonds
running % years at 2k per cent.
Culbcrson, who Is chairman OF the house
Judiciary committee. strongly favors the
funding Of grecnbacks and treasury notes
the aggregate OF which Is $500. oo0, 900;
but he thinks the bonds should be at
Dor cent interest instead OF 2ll He thinks
that rate IL tho lowest at which the gov
ernment could hope to dispose of SO many
bonds.
While this proposition would have the
N ~
not likely that IL would receive any con-
adorable number of Democratic votes
south of the Mason and Dlxon's line.
Many northern Democratic representa-.
tlves would approve and vote for it, but
Judging from the temper of the Democrats
in the house, the proposition stands very
ba>>s<a c<xan~, 80 messing TINT htslv