The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-14
SEATTLE, THURSDAY. NOV. Ii.
LOOKING AHEAD.

Senator Jones still insists that the great
battle OF next year will be on the silver
question, and not the tariff. but the great
mass OF tho people. who are not riding a
hobby. are more and more thoroughly
convinced every day that the campaign
will be fought out on substantially the
same lines as in 1899. The question OF
free silver will sink into insignihcance
as compared with the greater issue as to
whether or nor this government shall levy
sufficient import duties TO protect American
industries and furnish ample means with
which 20 meet the annual expenses.
1t is doubtful what congress will do at
the next session. with the existing d.
vision OF parties Il is improbable that
and decided legislation can be enacted.
An attempt. no doubt. will be made to
offer some sort of relief for present en-
harrassments. but ideas OF government
30 antagonistie prevail in the executive
and legislative departments that 1t Is
extremely doubtful If any permanent
scheme Of finance or revenue is adopted
without decided capltulation by one
side or the other.
All the time matters are getting no bet
ter. Each succeeding month shows its
deficit. Receipts continue 10 fall below
expenditures, The gold reserve holds
steady between s9o.0oo000 aud 500 700. coo
but returns from cotton and grain ship
ments are not what were expected, and
by the beginning or the year. with the
constant increase OF imports invited 10y
the new tariff the outlook for our gold
reserve looks bad without additional Is
sues OF bonds There Will. doubtless. be
heavy Withdrawals Of sold for export
during next spring and summer. and the
reserve can be kept up only by going into
tho market and buying the whercwithal
90 rcpienish II.
Superficial expedlents may hc suggest
oil. such as the retirement OF the green
backs but these DO not so down to the
root OF the matter. To redeem in gold
the government must have "A supply OF
Il and We can never keep up that supply
naturally while millions Nre being re-
quired 10 send abroad IN payment for
goods imported. No people who are
LARGELY in debt 70 foreigners can main
tain gold standard or redeem Ia that
metal unless there is some device for
Keeping that gold az home by insurlng
an excess OF exports over imports Tho
most successful device yet found for ao-
eompishinE this IS a protectlvs tsrin.
Some dispute Il. but experience has
proved It.
Confidence will not Re restored until
the treasury Is believed II he safe. the
treasury viii not be safe untH there is a
certainty Of no heavy gold Withdrawals:
there VIII 10 cessation of gold with
drawais only when We cease 90 import
90 largely. ana We shall cease 20 import
80 largely oaly when a protective tariff
has pat up the bars lowered by the VII
roa-Gorman blli. TartT legislation.
therefore. IS inevitable. Tbs people vill
demand Il. II VIII be = choice between
higher duties and more revenue o. al
dluonal bond issues 70 pay running ex-
penses. 1t Is very unfortunate predlca-
ment % place the Democratic party IN.
hot only the logical outcome 81 trusting
the administration Of aTatrs 70 those who
ere net rtteA 80 govern.