The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-01-10
VIEW AT WASHINGTON
washington. january $, ia

luton OF Senator E4klus expressing as
approval OF the issuance Of bonds by ptl-
yate contract, was remarkable eNhlol-
ton OF the extremes 10 which the re-
publicans are willing TO go to gain
political ADVANTAGE. With the certainty
that the finance committee would report
a bond bill containing free silver sine1l-
rnent, a very determined effort was male
BY the republicans. including the leauins
sound money men. to discredit ule e.
forts the president is making 10 nam
tain the credit OF the country. IpoA
the democratic side Senator Hin alone
was left to battle for the administrator
except for such meager and tardy ASSIST
arce as was given him by Senator IaI-
fiery. Other democrats sat silently IN 'nelr
seats after having voted with the rePuNi-
cans to give the Elkins resolution 'th.ne-
diate consideration. But for the uihe
consumed by Senator Hill the resolution
would have passed. SO that to all IN
tents and purposes the sense OF me senate
has been as freely expressed as X woui1
be II the proposition had received the
endorsement: of an affirmative vote.
The discussion was rendered more -
,narkahle by the audacity with which me
silver men and the populists Joined WIN
the sound money republicans and urged
that immediate action be taken to fore
stall the sale Of bonds. To them II was
the promise Of a better day TO ma then-
selves voting with Senators Sherman hld
Hoar and they fairly reveled IN the or
portunity presented. But the spectacle
presented by the sound money republicans
vas the startling feature Of the Hrocs d
ings Realizing. as they must, that the
government must look TO the banks for
aid they assumed the attitude Of dema-
gcgues and pleaded that the laoorias
masses he given an opportunity 10 con-
trihute their gold 10 aid the government
IN its hour OF need. Even Senator shtr-
man did not hesitate to make use Of
.uoh arguments. but declared that the
people Of the country should rot only te
allowed an opportunity to bid for the
bonds but that the president should not
take advantage Of better offers. If 10
do so necessttated the acceptance OF
private contract
-
Were there the slightest prospect that
the senate would pass bill affording the
necessary relief to the treasury, the at
tituGe of majority Of the senator's on both
sides might have been justified. But Sen
ator Hawlcy announced that in all prob
ability Ia. Introduction Of silver Dill
viii affect the money market and shake
sun further tine credit of the government.
In spite Of this the republicans were anx-
ious that the resolution should pass.
There is no difficulty. however In de-
terlnining how much OF their talk was
merely political and how much was
earnest. The resolution Of Mr.. Elkins was
not even a concurrent resolution, hat one
which could merely express an lie senti-
lreut OF the senate. Amendments "e'
quickly offered by Senator Butler for the
opullsts ana by Senator chiffon for the
silver men. hut with these the republicans
Lad nothing to do, and they would doubt
less have been rejected had vote been
taken.
The spirited fight made by Senator hin
against the efforts Of the republicans aud
populists and the passive Indifference If
the democrats has been generally COM
mended outside the senate chamber. lie
pointed out with characteristics clearness
ard force the absurdity Of restricting the
administration at this critical juncture.
and maintained with great ability a
fight with the whole republican side.
The speech Of Senator Sherman was a
disappointment to those who had expect
ed him to contribute views which Nigh,
aid in solving some of the problems be-
fore the country. Mr.. Sherman had no
new suggestions to offer. and merely re-
peated the assertion that insufficient rev
enues are the cause OF all defects in the
patchwork of legislation, which forms
the basis Of the currency system.
-
After consummatinS the first deal with
the nQHNtlStS the senate TtluD44tAls are
pausine for their second wind prior TO the
next and final combined assault on what
Is left OF the democratic Qualifications.
The elective offices OF the senate and the
patronage attached thereto are sull ~
the hands of democrats, but the unfor-
tunate inCumheuts are trembling in their
boots at the fate which is close upon
them. quiet negotiations have been going
on with the populists and some progress
hrff of 40
not yet been definitely arranged. The
populists are almost in a position to die
tate their share. and they ought to come
high.
When the republicans made their bargain
with Malone he was only one man and
they conceded him the office OF sergeant
alarms. which controls most of the pa
tronage, As 1t happened neither party 10
the Infamous barter was able to deliver
the goods. Now. 1t is not likely any con-
tineenoy can occur to prevent the carry
ing out of the deal. 1t has been Suggested
among the republicans that they can do
better II they wait until the two Utah
senator's, whom they bought from the
Mormon church. are sworn in. hut this
VIII stin leave them short of a majority.
ana with the populists holding tho balance
Of power.
There is United States statute pro-
hihittng residents Of this country from
communicating, orally or otherwise with
representatives OF foreign governments
on any question IN which there is n prob
ahllity that the relations between the two
countries may become strained. and Il
penalty for violating the law IS prescribed
which is severe enough to forbid almost
any one from attempting 10 break IT, TIL,
law was PASSED in 1873. bnt the fact that
II Is sim in force is known to faw Re
gently there hs tt.af n,,.