The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-01-09
NOTHING TO Pc DONE.

The Indications seem to point plainly
TO the conclusion that this, a Demo-
cratic Congress. will pass no currency
bill. With seventy-fye Democratic mem
bers Of Congress refusing y attend the
caucus Monday evening the action of
that body in endorsing the currency bill
now before Congress is. of course, no
more than perfunctory thing that
amounts TO absolutely nothing. The net
result of the evening is that the eighty
one Democratic members who voted in
caucus for the bill will presumably vote
for its passage; that the hfty-nine who
voted in caucus against it will presuma-
bly, vote against its passage. and that
the seventy-five Democrats who staid out
of the caucus and most of the Republl-
cans will vote against its. passage. This
would seem to make it a foreSone con-
clusion that the bill cannot pass.
We cannot say that the loss of the
bill causes us any keen regret. 1t is
most lamentable failure--one Of those cases
Of a mouse when a mountains labor was
Involved. The provision for deposit by
bank of 80 per cent of the circulation
it was to be permitted to issue in dead,
bearing United States notes,
was totally insufficient for securing the
impounding of Il sufficient amount OF
these notes to end the drain by them on
the Treasury's gold, while the loss OF
interest on that much of its capital would
probably have deferred any bank from
taking out the small addition TO its cir
culaton that Is per cent. of its paid-up
capital would have given to it. But, even
If the banks would have taken out clrcU-
lation under IT the addition which it would
probably have made to the present cur
rency system would have been totally
inadequate to what the demands of the
country require. We are not so much dis
appointed, therefore. at the practical de-
feat OF the measure in the Democratic
caucus as we are disguised at the reason
for it's defeat. 1t seems plain that the
members of the party could have been
united for its passage (and even its pas
sage would at least have been a move)
but for the opposition to it of those DEM
ocratic members who are also the advo-
Gates of the free coinage of silver. These
members seem TO have thought that II
the bill were passed it might give the
country all the currency ii needs, and
thereby end the support that free silver
now has, and they appear TO be willing
that the country may suffer to any ex-
tent whatever unless it is cured by their
/ Iou-a CT ha
country may be. in their opinion. it is
better il should die than get well without
a dose of free silver.
Truly the situation is a most dishearten-
ing one to a man who is a Democrat be-
cause he loves the foundation principles
of Democracy. To the man who under
stands Democracy 10 mean equal laws.
that bear in exactly the same way upon
all. equal justice for all. free trade with
all the world. and a sound money. con-
sisting of that which the most advanced
OF the civilized nations have determined
to be the best, it is disheartening, and
disgusting. too 80 see the Democratic
party under the control of men who in
sist on flashing It TO propositions so di-
ametrically opposed to these foundation
principles of Democracy. The party had
an opportunity at the present session OF
Congress to redeem itself and make a step
towards regaining that confidence of the
American people which its previous at
tachment TO populations through fifty
cent dollars and pillsse OF rich men.
through its unfair income tax. had lost it.
But its present leaders are incorrisibe
rhey cannot understand the meaning of
a cannon ball that they see coming
straight at them until it actually takes
effect. The present session of Congress
is plainly 10 end without the Democratic
party taking a single step in the direc-
ton of showing the conservative people
of the country that 1t is not party of
Communists. and all we can do is TO sit
down by the waters OF Babylon and weep,
ard wait patiently until our party will
have sufficient returning sense to. throw
overheard ali its present leaders who
would keep 1t committed to it's financial
policy of the past fifteen years.
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