The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-06-28
STEWARDS soMERsAULT.

The convert is usually the most rabid
OF advocates. and Senator Stewart is no
exception 10 the rule. We can respect
man who arrives at the conclusion that
he has been iaboring under misappre-
hension and who courageously admits it.
Il is of little consequence what Senator
Stewart or Secretary Carlisle believed or
said in 1873: what interests the public is
whether what they believe now is right
or wrong. Carlisle has as much right as
Stewart to change his views; Stewart is
not bound to stand by his views Of twenty
years ago II he conscientiously thinks he
was In error then.
Stewart has not been condemned for his
change OF opinion. but he has been very
Justly censured for the abuse he had
hurled at all those who had not seen At
to change their views. Senator Stewart
is not altogether free from the suspicion
that he is deeply interested in retaining
the senatorship from Nevada, a state
which is depopulating through the peter
ing out OF rich silver mines and whose
only hope of revivifcation is by rise in
the price of silver. so that w-grade ores
may be proftably worked. He may be
perfectly sincere, but his interests run
with his new convictions and II is con-
sidered good diplomacy that those who
live In glass houses shall not throw stones.
The free silverites are particularly in
imicaI 10 what they call ''the crime OF
1873" The bill was under consideration in
congress from 1870 to 1879, when 1t was
finally passed. The first vote taken upon
It was in the senate January 10. 1871. and
Il was passed by a vote of &c yeas and II
nays. with % senators not voting. Sena-
tor Stewart, OF Nevada, voted with the
ayes" Sherman voted mo"
Mr. Stewart may claim that he did not
know the effect of the bill; perhaps he
did not, but year later he knew what he
wanted.
On February II. 1874 Senator Stewart in
a speech in the senate (see Vol. H., part 2.
Congressional Record, first session. Forty
third congress, page 1872 said:
81 want the standard gold. and no paper
money not redeemable In gold no paper
money tho value of which is not ascer-
tanned: no paper money that will organ
lie gold board 10 speculate in it,
On February %. 1874. the senate having
under consideration resolution instruct
ing the committee on finance TO report
bill providing for the convertiblTity OF
treasury notes into gold coin or 5 per cent.
bonds. Senator Stewart said Record.
same volume. page 1.67O:
by this process we shall como to
specie basis and when the laboring man
receives dollar IT will have the purchas-
ing power of a dollar. and he will not be
called upon 10 do what is impossible for
him or the producing classes TO do. figure
upon the exchanges, figure upon the fuc-
tuations. figure upon the gambling in New
York; but he win know what his money
is worth. Gold is the universal standard
OF the world. Everybody knows what a
gold dollar is worth"
Senator Stewart knows fully we'll what
II is worth, If II he true. as often stated.
that in all of the many mortgages FIELD
by him on the homes Of poor men in Ne
NADIA and California. 1t is expressly st'pu-
lated that they are 20 he paid in United
States gold coin OF the present weight and
nneness"
Nevertheless we hope 10 see silver re-
stored to its Just place in the coinage or
he world