New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-10
POLITICS IN THE WEST.
EX-SENATOR HENDERSON SAYS THE PEO-,
PIE ARE DOING A LOT OF THINKING.
THE SILVER AGITATION HAS NOT DIED OUT.
But LITTLE RED FIRE is BURNED-THE
NEBRAsKAN FAvoRs A STAMP ACT
TO INCREASE THE REVENUES
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBUNE.l


Nebraska. is here In behalf OF the Claimants I'M
der the appropriation made last winter for the
payment OF the money due them for sugar boun-
ties. General Henderson whose voluntary re-
tirement from the United States Senate was
loss to that body. In which he had served with
distinction for twelve years, well TO the
country has not lost any part of his interest in
politics and he discusses political questions even
more freely than he did when he was President
pro TEN of the Senate In the course OF converse
ton with reporter General Henderson said:
There is not much activity among silver men in
the West OF late. The crops are good and the
prospects Frightening. and the people ara thinking
more Of their own immediate affairs than they are
OF probematical propositions in politics OF course.
the silver agitation has died out, but there Is
not as much red fire being burned. 1t Is evident,
however. that the people are thinking of the ques-
ton and talking IL over In social way during
| their leisure hours This is proven TO me by the
correspondence | have. Though | am no longer
In Congress | get a great number OF letters con-
corning political matters from people all over the
State. and great many OF them are asking ques-
ons and raising points as to the free coinage or
silver. The quiet discussion going on among the
people who not professional politicians is not
TO the advantage of the advocates OF free coinage
by the United States alone
ION which side do you think majority OF the
people OF Nebraska stand?' was asked
"a majority favor bimeta sm by international
agreement They do not favor trying to carry
free coinage of silver by ourselves There are
few Republicans who think we should go 1t alone,
and probably a majority Of the Democrats take
that view of IT. but they are not strong enough
to carry the State The general run of people
have discovered that the Populists have been lying
to them. Having discovered that some OF the
things that have been dnged into their ears by the
Populist agitators not true. they nave begun
an investigation into the truth falsity Of the
yyho no Y
the sound money cause. | quote from sample
letter OF the great number which get from the
plain people making inquiry on this question This
letter ! received short time ago from man.
evidently German. who said that he was black
smith II was very intelligent letter and the
questions which he submitted for my decision were
conclsely stated. He said that he was sound
money man. but only blacksmith, with not
much time study the financial question and
that he had 10 contend for his opinion against the
arguments OF lawyers and merchants and even
some bankers In his town who had better oppor-
tunitles than himself TO acquire information. ana
that he wanted to submit to me two questions, my
decision being acceptable to both sides Of the dis
pute First ne said that his silver opponents de-
clared, and he denied. that silver was legal
tender in amounts not above five dollars. He in
sisted that silver full legal tender. Second.
the silver men asserted that abraded silver coin
was not redeemed by the Government at Its coin
value but was taken at weight. This he denied
"Of course I answered the questions. and 1t
seems to me that this is fair example OF the
reckless assertions made by some of the silver
men where they do not expect TO be disputed
They want those who do not know the difference TO
belisye that silver is not made legal tender. and
that IN. Government Is discriminating against II
in the redemption Of abraded coin. when. OF course
tho truth Is that II Is legal tender, ana that
abraded silver coin is taken at It's coin value wniie
gold II abraded beyond certain percentage Oh
loss is taken only by weight
You think that silver Is as strong III 'he "e''
generally as it was
.r don, think IL is quite. l believe that even in
the si.verproducing States a good many OF those
who are interested in the mines are beginning 10
feel that 1t will not be to the advantage OF ,ne
country nor to their own personal interest for ts
Government alone to undertake to maintain the
free coinage of silver. think that great many
are beginning to understand that there are TWO
sides to the question. even when applied TO their
own private concern as silver-producers'
DO YOU think that the Rocky Mountain States
are going to cause much trouble In the Repuohcah
National Convention
"Of course they going to make very de-
termined effort to commit the convention 10 silver
The DELEGATIONS from these States are going to be
very firmly In favor OF the free coinage OF silver.
and are going to fight for 1t all they know how
do you think they will carry 1t to the extent OF
boiling the convention If things DO not go as uey
want?'
NO have no idea that there Will be any oort
from the convention | think that they will see
there Is nothing to be gained by such course. and
that having done all they can for the cause that
they represent. they will reluctantly acquiesce IN
the action OF the convention. do not for mo-
ment think that they Will be lacking III ioSai'S ~
the Republican party.
What do you think OF the OUTLOOK LOT rie''-
dental candidates.?
THAT is a very difficult question. 90 not 'h'hA
that 1t is possible to judge at this time OF what the
convention IL likely to do In the matter OF tne
choice of a candidate Things have not yet sufii-
cently developed to indicate the success OF any
particular person. AS far as the Democrats are
concerned there does seem to be any particu-
lar anxiety the part Of candidates They doht
appear 10 regard the nomination as sufncenty
valuable to make fight for. There Is not very
much to tempt man in nomination which Is
merely for defeat"
What do you think OF the thlrd-term tax Tor
Cleveand?'
Il do not attach Importance to ii. In the first
place | do not believe that Mr. Cleveland desires
a third term. | don't think that his experience
during this term has been such as to render the
prospect OF another four years In the White House
particularly tempting to him. His first term was
very comfortable and there was good deal g. OF
not been bed Of roses for him. The roses have
faded away. and he is lying on the bare thorns:
He is unpopular with his party; there are many
things to trouble him. There is discord around
him. and no hope OF harmony. In the second place.
he and everybody else must appreciate that the
people Of the United States opposed 10 third
term for any one. Even strong organza-
ton as the Republican party did not dare put up
even popular man as Grant for a third term.
The strongest party In the country with everything
else in It's favor. could not elect candidate
third time Surely a discredited party could not ex-
pect do this"
What do you think the next Congress will do
toward helping the Administration out OF its
barrassment?
Il do not think that there is any probability OF
silver legislation. though majority of the Senate
will be In favor OF the free coinage Of silver by
the United States alone | believe that a majority
OF the House will be in favor OF sound money and
opposed 10 such action. Moreover, the President
will. OF course, veto silver bill IL passed. There
tation In Congress during this and the following
session. AS to the tariff. the Senate will not be
Republican on that question The Populsts with
the possible exception Of Stewart are Free Traders.
and Il would probably be impossible TO pass a Pro-
fecfinn nea sure through the Senate. Ii would he