Evening star., 1895-10-18
Other Questions Will Depend in a
Measure Upon That.
SENATOR SHERMAN'S POLICY
How This Would Effect the Presi.
dental Campaign.
A WIDE DIS u SION

Many politicians in conversation declare
that the leading question of the day is the
policy to be determined respecting the con-
troll of the Senate. The other questions in
large measure depend upon that-will be
shaped by that. According to this opinion,
If the republicans by combinati ton secure
control and accept full responsibility, COM
prehensive legislation will be in order and
must be undertaken. The House will be
justified in those circumstances in going
beyond the supply bills and consideration
of the matter of the treasury deficit. 9th
erwise it will not. The Presidents atti-
tude is not taken into this account. His
views are pretty well known, and he is not
to be expected to forward any republican
measures. But, it is contended, if the re-
publicans control both houses of Congress,
they must go on the record in some definite
form on all questions of pressing and par
amount Importance, without regard to
whether their action shall be approved at
the White House or not.
Republican, Divided.
The republicans are divided as to what
the occasion demands. Mr.. Sherman is
against the assumption of full responsible
ty by his party. No satisfactory combina-
ton can. in his judgment, be effected.
What agreement is possible between the re-
publicans and the populists on the question
of finance and the tariff? The one party is
for high tariff, the other for low tariff. The
one party Is for carefully guarded BIZ
metallsm the other for free coinage by the
United States without regard to the atti-
tude of other nations. This state of case.
therefore, precludes the possibility of a
republican, populStic arrangement in the
Senate ON other than mere routine lines.
But with regard to providing for the treas
ury deficit and maintaining the public credit
Until such time as comprehensive legisla-
tion may be enacted Mr.. Sherman assumes
that no special terms will be necessary to
attain that end. The necessity for such ac-
ton will, he Thinks be recognized by men
of all parties.
Effect on the Presidential Contest.
Those who agree with Mr.. Sherman point
out that the adoption of his policy will add
most materially to the interest and i'm
portance of the presidential race. The re-
suits will be 10 throw everything into the
scale. The appeal to the people will thus
have to be made on the broadest lines, and
the result at the polls to take on the great
est possible significance. Both parties will
be obliged to state then precisely what they
stand for. Shall the tariff question be gen.
orally reopened? And. if SO. what shall be
done? What course with regard to the
finances shall be pursued? If any more
silver is to be absorbed into the American
system, how much? If the greenbacks are
to be retired, what shall take their place?
In this awy Congress will be bracketed
with the presidency. The people will be
impressed with the Importance of putting
one party or the other into full control
and with thorough understanding as to
what shall be done. The present dilemma
will be explained growing out of the
division of power, whereby Congress and
the executive, instead of joining hands
must, in obedience to party behests, keep
apart and operate as check on each
other.
Kind of Campaign Needed.
A campaign of this kind has become, it
is insisted, imperative. The affairs of the
country demand it. The government Is Ian.
gushing under a too long division of pow
er. Parties have been playing at cross
purposes-have oftener been engaged in
checkmating each other than in minister
ing to the welfare of the people. Such is
the main difficulty now. The republicans
propose one thing, the democrats another.
1t is the eve OF q presidential election.
Neither side will concede much for fear of
losing some advantage. Nothing but a
temporary device for anything appears
probable But temporizing has caused all
the trouble. 1t ought to cease. And the
proposition is that 1t be brought to an end
by requiring each party to put all of its
eggs into one basket, and to walk most cir
cumspectly to avoid a general and ire
tiievable smashup.
What VIII Demand Attention.
In this way, too, 1t is suggested, the next
presidency can be brought to discussion on
other than personal lines. Personalities
will be merged in the larger questions at
issue. The new man to go into the White
House will simply be one agency to be
considered in connection with the adoption
and enforcement of new policy for the
people. If he is to serve effectively in his
place, the other agencies must also be con-
sidered He must be chosen not as the
courageous upholder of individual views.
no matter how sound, but as the represen-
tative of a party whose views the people
approve So that it will be the party as
controlling Congress, and not the party s
candidate for the presidency, that will de-
mand the attention of the electors.