Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-11
Suggestion That He Should Take
the Legislative Helm.
DEMOCRATS SEEK HIS ADVICE
They Did So During the Extra
Session in go.
FEELING OF SOUTHERN MEN

lem has its origin. it is believed. In the
hope that thereby the influence and expe-
rience of Mr.. Sherman may come to DOM
mate the situation. Some of the most en-
inent of the democratic leaders share in
this feeling. The President himself, even,
Il is said, would experience a sense of re-
lief If. in some way. the Ohio Senator could
be induced TO take the legislative helm at
this time. 1t is not understood that Mr..
Sherman Is without interest in the situa-
tion, OF that he Is denying himself to any
OF his democratic friends who approach
him for suggestions. But the difference is
wide between an adviser and an active
leader. What is cor sidered absolutely es-
sential to success in tie present emergency
Is the combination of the sound adviser
and the experienced leader, found to more
marked degree in Mr.. Sherman, it is
thought. than in any other man in either
house Of Congress. And another thing of
moment conceded is that in the considera-
tion of these greater questions Mr.. Sher-
man invariably sinks the partisan in the
rublic-spirited legislator. He has heen con-
suited by the democrats as freely almost
es by those of his own party about both
foreign and domestic affairs during the
past eight years. and his views, il is said.
Nave been accepted often in the one
case as in the other.
His Work on the silver Repeal.
This leads to discussion of the part Mr..
Sherman took in the repeal of the bullion
purchasing clause of the silver act bearing
his name. The assertion has always been
made In Washington that 1t was the ad-
vice of the Ohio Senator that finally pre-
vailed n that fight. His participation in
the open debate in the Senate was con-
sIicuous. but his principal service. as is
claimed. was performed in the conferences
that were held Many of these were nom
partisan. and Mr.. Sherman took part in
fhsD ho fhof he
tion was one affecting the welfare of the
whole country ii was his duty to assist
Mr.. Cleveland fully as much as If the oc-
cupant of the White House were a repub-
hoan. That Mr.. Sherman was fully con-
suited during the contest both by Mr..
Cleveland and Secretary Carlisle has long
been an open secret. and that it was his
criticism of the compromise offered by the
silver men which induced the President to
reject il, and thereby force unconditional
repeal in the end. is openly asserted and
believed by many of the best informed men
In political life.
1t is pointed out that the question pre-
sented now is not exactly the question that
was presented then. But the leading fea-
the patriotic feature of the case is the
same. Now, as then, the credit of the
country is involved. and Mr. Sherman, it is
believed, would, upon opportunity given
him, respond as readily now as he did then
The difficulty at the special session in
1893 was in bringing the silver men of the
short-time bond. The government at that
time had not been a borrower in the mar
ket for many years, and the southern
democrats. always fighting shy of national
banks, refused to vote for bonds. upon the
ground that the proposition was simply a
disguised effort of the banks to perpetuate
their existence. Mr.. Sherman was willing
to vote for coming the seigniorage in the
treasury. but insisted on the bond feature
in the interests of keeping up the gold re-
.serve. These differences could not be recon
ri lp1 10 ia w W. q
defeat fo- the silver men, simply pro-
vided for putting stop to the further pur-
chase of silver bullion.
Situation Changed ON Both Sides.
Meanwhile the government has been
forced Into the open market twice as bor-
rover. and seems on the eve of going in
again. A bond issue. while still deplored,
does not affect the southern silver men as
the bare threat of such thing eighteen
months ago seemed to do. But there is
also a change on the Sherman side of the
question. 1t Is suggested that the simple
question Of maintaining the gold reserve
in the treasury, which occupied MIR. Sher-
man at the special session, has now become
complicated with the question of revenue.
1t Is stated that Mr.. Sherman sees difficult
ties in dealing with matters now which
did not present themselves then. a tariff
bill, which he opposed and still condemns,
has been passed. and he ascribeS the great
er part of existing embarrassments to that.
This puts him in complete accord with the
other leaders of his party, and makes his
suggestions to a remedy at this time of
greater interest than ever. He insists, In
general terms, that both questions must be
met. He is still an advocate of keeping the
gold reserve intact. and of q low-rate short
time bond, but declares that, at the same
time, the currency question must be kept
distinct from the question OF sufficient
revenue for the support of the government,
and the country be brought to see precisely
where the trouble lies.
Now or ut "a Special Session.
1t Is question much disputed as to
whether Mr.. Sherman could render the
more signal service now, or at a special
session of the Fifty-fourth Congress. Called
to a quasi-leadership at this time, the fear
Is EXPRESSED that partisan considerations
In other quarters might interfere with his
usefulness. 1t can be stated that many
democrats would value his assistance very
greatly. and would not for moment doubt
It's unseltishnesS because rendered by a
republican leader to an embarrassed demo
cratic administration. But some of the
southern men. who have grown up in op-
position to every prominent stand Mr.. Sher'
man has ever taken, would prefer to see
the Sherman leadership. If essential tC
solve the problem. exercised In circum,
stances OF republican control and respons1-
bllity. These men, therefore, do not look
with disapproval on the proposition for an
extra session, but rather hold that. all
things considered, such step would be
both logical and effective. They do not
hesitate to admit that the President and
Mr.. Sherman are in much closer accord on
the money question than the President and
southern leaders are. and hence. IL 1t Is
the Sherman view that. in any part. is to
prevail they think ii would be franker and
better to await the day. which need not
be distant when the Ohio Senator. in the
3 full panoply of party leadership. would be
able to take the field and carry out in
person his own plan of action. 1t Is adj
mitted at the same time. however. that the
situation is becoming so grave a delay OF
only three months might be attended with
the most alarming consequences to the
business of the whole country. The sug-
gestion is made that the panic of 1893 de-
veloped in less time. and got entirely be-
yond the control OF Congress.
Claims Against Nicaragua.