Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-19
MORE TROUBLE AHEAD
The Pressure on the President to Sign the
Bland Bill.
Difficulties That Present Themselves
to Him-Perplexity Over
the Tariff.

This week opens with good many things
to interest and to trouble those who are
responsible for the legislation Of this Con-
gress. In the first place the question Of
whether or not the President will sign the
Bland seigniorage bill is one Of the most
vital interest, which has excited an ac-
tivity among the democrats unprecedented
during this Congress Nearly all the dem
ocrats who represent silver constituencies
and who stood by the administration in the
Sherman law fight have been to see Mr.
Cleveland to urge him to sign the seignor-
age bill The pressure brought on him for
the approval Of this measure is said by
those closest to him to be greater than he
has ever experienced either In the struggles
for appointment or in legislative matters.
Heavy Pressure on the President.
Some of the biggest men in the party
have approached him with every argument
at their command. and the pressure is
steadily growing. The argument of injury
to be done his party in the south and west
by the failure of the bill Is dwelt on by
every one, but the strongest argument is
to be found in the appeal to him not to
sacrifice those men who. at personal risk,
stood by him in the fight against the Sher-
man law. He has been told that every rne
of these men will be defeate for Congress
If he fails to sign the bill, and that the
light In every democratic convention will
be waged between the Cleveland and anti
Cleveland, silver and anti-silver, factions.
ana that he cannot hope for the success
or an administration man except in the
larger cities, and even there only OCCASION
ally. AS far as can be learned, he has
never committed himself one way or the
other, and the most satisfaction that has
been got out of him is that he wants To
protect as far as possible. those men who
stood by him. and whose interests now
n III Rl.-
Bland bill.
He has always. however, coupled this
with statement Of the difficulties and
dangers In the way Of his approval Of the
Dill. The condition of the treasury, is un-
doubtedly such as to occasion apprehension
and to demand very great caution and fore
sight IN every move, and the representa-
lions are being made by eastern financiers
that the coinage of the silver bullion will
create an extraordinary demand for gold
Which VIII embarrass the department, and
the consciousness that such an embarrass-
ment Is possible will cause the President TO
consider very carefully before affixing his
lame to the bill. If he were convinced
.i,a .nat tnls apprehension on the part Of anti
silver men was well founded he would prob
ably run the risk of all party division In
order TO guard against the disastrous con-
sequences which they point out On the
sincerity OF those who believe that his
vetoing the bin is going to occa sion greater
.ronole Tor the democratic party than they
have experienced for years.
A Free Coinage Bill to Follow n Veto.
Another consideration is that the veto
of the seigniorage bill is almost certain to,
result In the passage of a free coinage bill
through both houses of Congress at the
next session. and with the possibility Of its
i'm OF
of the New York fnancierS. foreseeins this
are disposed to agree that it would be bet
ter to coin silver now and take the con-
sequences than to have greater trouble
with silver in the future. If any assur-
ance was felt that this bill becoming n law
would prevent other silver legislation dur
ing this Congress this consideration would
be certain to control Mr.. Clevaland's ac-
tion. AS II is, he is in a dilemma and IL
Is obvious that he has, mot yet made up his
Contemporary with the perplexity and ir-
ritation over this question is n feeling of
antagonfsm concerning the tariff greater
than has heretofore appeared. 1t is quite
obvious that In addition to the interest
which men take in securing protection for
industries in their localities there is a very
strong effort being made to affect the legs
lation by persons and combinations whose
interest extends onlytto the matter of max
ing as much money out Of the legislation
as possible.
Speculation enters INTO the matter so
deeply that Congressman who are honestly
endeavoring to solve the legislative problem
are at a loss where to draw the line of dis
elimination. 1t has become very evident
that there will be a considerable conflict
between the House and Senate over the bill,
and 1t will not be safe to count on the ac-
ton of the Senate as to any of the disputed
questions as indicative of what the bill will
finally carry when sent to the President.
Where IL Conflict VIII Come.
In the present temper of the House It ap-
pears absolutely impossible that an agree
,ment to the Senate's proposition to tax
sugar can be secured. and in the House also
there is a positive determination not to
permit the abrogation of the reciprocity
treaties which open the markets of Cuba,
Brazil and Germany to agricultural pro-
ducts. There is also very strong dispos-
ton in the House to put coal back on the
free list, and the indications are that they
will not agree to the Senates duty on that
product.