The Greenville times., 1895-02-09
REPUBLICAN PLANS
A scaiy scheme TO HoodWink the Pro
dueIng Classea

A seaiy scheme TO IIoodWihk the Pro
ducing Glasses
Republicans in the national legisla-
ture are beginning 10 show their
hands. There has been doubt as to
the policy which they would pursue
when they assume responsibility for
congressional action next winter, or
earlier, if an extra session shall be
ordered. Upon the one vital question
before the people the republican party
is as hopelessly divided as the demOe-
raey. Cleveland and Bland are not
more widely separated than are John
Sherman and Teller. With every
leader of the republican party in
house and senate planning foT a presi-
Dental nomination in 1896, AID seek
ing to so shape his course as ia hold
New England without estrangins she
agricultural and mining states of the
west, there is little hope for intelligent
and radical currency legislation from
that party.
Observers of the game of politics
have wondered what card the repub-
licans would play-as they seem in
clined to put the currency question into
the discard. Recollection Of the busi-
ness depression which attended the un-
certainty as to tariff legislation ought
TO deter the republicans from taking
up the tariff again. But 1t seems that
they hold the tariff a safer issue to dis
cuss than the currency, and will try to
shift the course of political discussion
to ii.
Their plan is simple. They eliminate
from the currency problem everything
but the least important factor-name-
ly, the maintenance of the one hun
dred million dollar gold reserve. This,
they assert, can easily be kept at that
point II the tariff is so amended as to
produce large surplus annually. To
reform the currency they would in
crease tariff taxation, and upon the
manner in which this increase shall be
made they expect political discussion
to center for the next two years. It is
an astute scheme, and democrats Of
certain sort may be expected to join in
1t. The east does not want the cur
rency question exhaustively discussed,
because it knows that the whole force
of the argument will be against its po-
sition. II does not want national
election to turn on the money ques-
tion, for 1t knows that in such event
the west and south would unite for its
discontinue.
The people, particularly we OF the
west, must not be hoodwinked by this
shrewd republican scheme. 1t may be
admitted at once that II the revenues
are largely increased the gold reserve
may be maintained, but that in no way
alters the question. As matters now
stand the nation is borrowing money
in order that bankers and gold export
ers may get gold to sell at profit
Under the republican plan the people
would be taxed higher to the same end.
Toward remedying the actual evil
which lies at the bottom Of currency
agitation the republican scheme would
accomplish nothing. The nations
money would still be on the gold basis
with gold approaching, and the prices
OF products and Of men. therefore, con-
stantly depreciating. As the produc-
ing classes always pay the tariff taxes
republican domination will mean
higher taxes for them. AS they chiefly
suffer from the appreciation of gold,
republican hostility to bimetallism in
sures the continuance of their present
Ills They should and will unite to op-
pose any further power being vested in
the party which believes In dear dol.
lar and cheap men.-Chicago Times.