Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-10
A SILVER VIC7 Q Y
Construction of the Senatorial Contest in
Wyoming
Senator HansbrOuEh on BfmetalIfsm-
"f 700 What the West
Wants.

| The result or the senatorial contest In
Wyoming Is regarded by the silver men
as a most signal victory for free coinage.
1t strengthens the cause, as they believe,
| in the one place in the west where it has
been weak. Mr.. Carey, it will be remem-
bered, took issue with the silver men in
the fight for the repeal of the purchasing
clause Of the Sherman act, and was severe
| ly arraigned by them for his course. The
| debate was bitter. The sharp exchange of
| personalities in the Senate between him
and Mr.. Wolcott was caused by Mr. Carey S
attitude on the money question. Mr.. Carey,
| although anxious to succeed himself in the
Senate. did not receive single vote Ex-
| Senator Warren, who was elected, Is a
| free-coinage man.
| Senator Hansbrough of North Dakota is
friend of silver. and stumped his state
| last fall with bimetallism and protection
| for his leading topics. Speaking to rep
| resentative of The Star today as TO what
| the west expected and would demand from
Congress on the financial question, he
| said:
Genuine Bfmctallism Wanted.
"The west wants genuine bimetallism,
and the outlook at this time is exceedingly
favorable for the taking Of some import
| ant step in that direction. We have BIZ
| metallism only in name. Business is really
on gold basis, and that explains a great
deal Of the depression now being felt
throughout the country. Give the people
both gold and silver as redeeming money,
| and in volume sufficient to answer legiti-
mate business demands. and she difficulty
will be solved"
Gould the United States afford to take
such a step without regard to the action
of other countries?"
Il think 1t could. But replying to the
objection OF those who take the other
view. let me suggest that all proper ef-
forts to reach an international agreement
on the subject have not been exhausted.
Another effort might be made, leaving
England entirely out of the question. 1t IS
useless to appeal to England. Her inter-
ests call for the single gold standard. and
she will continue to try to thwart every
effort in behalf of bfmetallism, by whomso-
ever made. We should invite France, Ger
many, Russia and other European coun-
tries whose interests are involved to the
council table and lay the case before them.
With their aid, or with the aid of any two
of them, bimetallism could be adopted in
a very short time. England would thus be
compelled to yield"
But suppose this aid was refused?' was
asked.
FRY 1t Single-Handed.
Then we could try it sngle-handed, and
1t would be our duty to do so. This assault
on silver is a mere cry. The dangers de-
scribed in the east are not possible in any
easily coin and absorb into its monetary
system the whole American output of sill
yer, and COIN more, without the slightest
injury to its credit Values would not be
disturbed at all, unless to be benefited.
When it is considered that by doing justice
to silver as a money metal all agitation of
the question in Congress would cease, and
business Immediately adjust itself to the
new condition, 1T is strange that the step is
not taken at once 1t must come in the
end. The whole drift is that way"
Gould report from a new commission
be obtained in timer
1T could, by the appointment of the COM
mission at an early day. Let the President,
assisted by Congress- name commissioners
and let the invitations to the foreign
powers, England excepted, be issued, and
no great time would be necessary to dis
pose OF the question. We should know in
a few months whether we were to have
partners or be obliged to go it alone Then,
by accepting that result finahty our
future course would be plain before u.s."
Would the west consent to another ef-
ment?'
The West Not Unreasonable.
IT am sure of 1t, the basis 1 have indi-
Gated. The west has never been extreme
nor unreasonable on the money question.
She has encountered, however the greatest
obstacles in securing proper attention in
west. 1t does not express the attitude Of
the west on the subject of silver. The west
needs no reminder that policy that would
injure the east would also injure' ner. She
is not trying to make money dirt cheap,
Eor to force her silver product on the coun-
try at a public loss. She is merely insist
ing that when the business experience of
twenty years has demonstrated that the
single gold standard will not meet the de-
mands Of this country, and the law on the
statute books calls for the use of both gold
and silver, the only wise and just thing is
to give silver full part of the work to be
done. But we are opposed to any further
parley with England on the subject. That,
as everybody knows. would be time wasted.
What we want now is action, and at as
early day possible"
And you believe bimetal!ism, in fact as
in name, near at hand?"
II do, and all of my party friends from
the west do. We shall insist upon it, and
at last the situation seems to be coming
within your control"
How about an extra session."
II don't care to discuss that, but can
say that the silver men are ready now, and
will be at any time. to present their case