Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-16
CONGRESSIONAL GOSSIP
Still Talking About the Bond Resolution
and Mr.. Reeds Situation.
What the Silver Men Have to Say
About Reed - Differences Dis
closed. by the Fight.


talking about the situation in which
thursdays fight over the gold bond reso-
lrItion placed Mr. Reed. That seems to be
the item of particular interest in the whole
incident The fact that but thirty-two
republicans voted with him to help the ad-
nlinistration out of a hole, while sixty
three followed other leaders in opposition,
is spoken of as q matter of extraordinary
consequence. Viewed superiicially this may
sem worthy of all the Importance that
gossips attach to it. When it is understood,
however, that there was no contest among
republicans over the question and no effort
Oh the part of Mr.. Reed to induce republi-
cans to adopt his policy when they were
d sposed to follow a different. another
aspect is assumed.
Mr.. Reeds Position.
Mr.. Reed has never pretended to approve
O, what Mr.. Cleveland and the Secretary
have done or have recommended. On the
contrary, he has very freely expressed his
dlsapproval When the gold bond PROPOSE
ton, based upon the contract which has
since excited much criticism, was first
presented in the committee on ways and
II: cans and the surrounding circulpS tanceS
were made known to the members OF the
c.'mmittee, Mr.. Reed denounced the whole
Business In committee, and 1T was We'll
Understood amohS his colleagues in the
House what his position was. He after
Ward concluded that IL the situation was
shch as to make gold bonds necessary, it
did not make any difference what had
brought about the situation, 1t would have
I'd, be met. At the same time the demands
ffom eastern business men for relief at any
phrty sacrifice We're something to be con-
Sldered, and he acted on second thought
r3.ther than on first intention. Meanwhile
al large number of republicans had made
uo their minds that they could not afford
lNiirHcTly
PART of n contract that they regarded
al most infamous. There was attempt
Jade by Mr.. Reed. therefore, to line up
the party in support of some particular
policy. and there was no rivalry of leaders
tP bring UP the comparison of personal
Influence.
What the Democrats Think.
Reed was undoubtedly placed in very
embarrassing position, and there are many
men in Congress of both parties who
think that his prospects for the republican
presidential nomination are injured by the
circumstance. Among the democrats this
opinion is much stronger than among re-
plIblicanS, and 1t is very gratifying to them
tP think so, since they have been striving
hard to put him lin hole" Some of thas
extreme silver men in the republican
rhnks, who have been intimating that they
had hopes that Reed would come out for
silver" are greatly disappointed at his
cIourse. and say that he has killed himself
friends of other candidates for the pres-
DENTAL nomination are quietly congratu-
lAtng themselves that Reed may have Of
funded some of his western supporters.
There are none of them. however. who
Would for minute expect any man to Sc
cure the republican nomination for the
presidency by taking the side of silver.
Differences on the Money Question.
The fight over this question of gold bonds
went further than has any other contest
during the Congress to disclose the differ
ehces there are even among republicans
lii Congress over the money question. The
division shown in the vote, however, fur
rishes very little to go on.
A very small proportion of the republic
dams who voted against the Wilson resolu-
tFon were free silver men. A number of
them werC. moderate bimetallsts with a
friendly disposition toward silver. but not
al few were pronounced gold men. Still,
those who have the interests of other can
didates at heart were not averse to Mr..
Reeds trying to skate on as thin ice as he
would risk. and they are reckoning with
some satisfaction on the embarrassment
he may be involved In through his leader
ship Of the next House. He will be called
Upon to confront delicate questions and to
take responsibilities which Mckinley, Har-
rison and others will escape.
Silver Men i'm the Next Congress-.
1t will be difficult for Reed to escape the
mortal enmity Of the radical silver men If
the next Senate should pass free silver
Till and he should use his influence to
crush 1t In the House. There viii probably
he more silver men among the republicans
III the next House than there are now,
though they will still be hopeessly in the
minority of the party, and, with the knowi-
edge beforehand that 1t would be defeat
ed, they will be sure to insist upon hear
Ing for free silver should a bill como over
from the Senate. Mr.. Reed. as Speaker.
will be called upon to take very decided
stand. and it is probable that his efforts
will be directed toward keeping down all
dGitation of the question. This Is what
Teller, Dubois. Cameron, Wolcott and the
other republican silver men expect of him,
and they are not themselves IN great
hurry to start the fight as they have no
object In embarrassing Reed more than any
other of the candidates who are most talk
cd Of.