New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-10
( BOOMERANG.

The sixteen Republican Senators who put
their names 10 paper held by Mr. Wharton
Barker probably realized how little sense they
had when they saw the insOlcnt comments with
which he published II. If they had meant all
that he said they meant, the Republican party
would promptly proceed 10 govern the country
without them. But it IS not the first time he has
imagined himself the centre on which the uni
verse revolvcs. If the sixteen Republican Sen
ators mean Just what they say. they will adj
minister to Mr. Barker as vigorous moral
Kicking as they can. and take care that he never
gets a chance 10 misrcprcscnt them again.
Stripped Of vcrbagc. what they say Is that
they conscicntiously believe that silver ought 10
be coined without restraint, and that all indus
tries ought 10 be protected. II there l. grain
of honesty in the latter statement, they can
not refuse protection 10 industries which they
conscentously believe necessary, because they
arc not yet able to get free coinage, which
they also believe necessary. Whether Mr.
Barker has falsely stated their intentions. 1t II
in order for them TO explain and at the same
time 10 explain whether they correctly stated
their own beliefs in the paper they signed
Mr. Barker says these Senators mean that
there shall be no Republican party ana no pro-
lection Of home industries unless the free coin
age peope have their way. In expressive YER
nacuar, he has 'bttcn off more than he can
chew" 1t is not committed to him by the
Infinite powers to say whether there shall be
a Republican party or not. Neither is 1t in the
power Of the sixteen Senators to say whether the
Republican party shall govern the country.
They may or may not be able to determine
Att. tncty Ina
enacted. II they like to take that responsibility
as assistant Democrats, that Is their affair,
though possibly also the affair OF their con
stituents But they have not title deed to
the country as yet, nor has Mr.. Barker. States
east Of the Iowa and Nebraska line will elect II
minority Of the Presidential electors next fall,
and within a very short time, If not next fall,
will have. in union with other States, settled
and abiding majority in the Senate. as they
have In the House.
The sixteen Senators represent sixteen cleo
toral votes in Colorado Utah, Montana. Idaho
and Wyoming, with S97,352 population and
half represent though not wholly, the States
of California South Dakota. Oregon and North
Dakota whose Senators are divided in opinion.
They represent absolutely nothing in Pcnnsyl-
vnnla for Mr. Barker is Il cipher and stands
before Mr.. Cameron, who Is going out. They
represent in North Caorlina IA temporary fusion,
but 10 party. If the Republican party Is in
fact invited by these Senator's to get along
without them. they will take care not to present
themselves nor to send their friends to It's
National convention. Those who desire TO enter
that body or to be respected there will take
early occasion, as some have done already, To
make il plain that in declaring convictions for
free coinage and for protection they did not
intend to be understood as ready TO vote for
gold monometallsm unless they could get pro
lection, or for free trade unless they could get
free coinage. Presumably Mr.. Barker Is re-
sponsible for any lack Of good sense or taste in
the paper they have signed but that paper. at
| least does not undertake to threaten bully