The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-18
ITS A BAD SPLIT.
Half the Kansas Republican
Congressman for Gold.
The Other Half for Free Silver
Coinage.
DO THEY REPRESENT
kansas Sentiment at All, for
Both Can't?
Either Kansas is for Silver, or
1t Isn't.
A FOOLISH SPECTACLE
Presented at Washington by
Impertinent Statesmen"
Who Do Not Preten d to Carry
Out
The Wishes of Their ConStitu-
entS at Home.
Presented at Washington by
Impertinent Statesmen"
Who Do Not Pretend to Carry
Out
The Wishes of Their Constitu-
ents at Home.

From the State Journals Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Feb 18-The vote on
the senate free silver substitute in the
house revealed a mixture of sentiments
among the Kansas Republican represen-
tatives. Every shade of belief was rep
resented from the single gold standard
outright. to free silver. Only one Kansas
man cast his vote against every feature
favorable to silver. He was representa-
tive Calderhead. The others, Blue and
Long, went SO far as to vote for the coin
age of the American product of silver,
and Kirkpatrick would have voted for
this if he had been present. Two, Cur
tbs and Broderick, voted to concur in the
senate free silver substitute.
! Representative Miller said before he
left that he would vote for it il he were
present.
On an amendment proposed by MIR.
Towne. of Minnesota, to coin silver with
out limit at the ratio of 1512 to l, when
Germany and France should do SO. Cur
lis, Broderick and Long voted in the af-
frmative, but Blue and Calderhead re-
fused to recognize silver coinage at any
ratio.
Analysis shows, therefore, that the
Kansas Republican congressman may be
divided-one gold-standard man, three
half and half, and three silver men. The
one PoPuiist, Baker, of course, voted for
the senate silver substitute.
While Congressman Blue voted for
the American product, there is little
doubt that his views conincide COM
pletely with those of Congressman Cal
derhead who is avOwed advocate of
Vie gold standard. These two have al
ways voted together, they were the only
Kansas men and almost the only west
ern men to support the bond bill, and
they always consult together in making
up their minds how they will act on
pending measures. Though Mr. Calder
head refuses to make any public declar-
alton of his views he has repeatedly
/ said in private conversations that 'the
: single-gold standard was the only way
out of the financial difficulty"
Col. Blue is little more adroit. Years
OF political life have made him wary
and while he undoubtedly believes
thes anne things MIR. Calderhead does, he
prefers to disguise his sentiments
in favor of the gold standard under the
euphemistic phrase 81 am a bimetalist"
~Yhe debate on the silver question has
shown conclusively that if you scratch
bimetalist you will tind a goldbug I'M
derneath.
Ia making his speech under the five
minute rule NIr. Blue frequently pointed
to the gold standard and bimetalic
countries" as having the best and only
safe monetary systems in the world
Several times ne almost forgot how care
fully he had intended to word his speech
and said gold standard nations" leaving
out the "bimetalist" But he invariably
remembered his ioophole and repeating
4ut in the word "bimetalic." He did
not, however, explain that the countries
he referred TO were in fact single gold
standard countries.
Mr. Blue also, with much dignity and
swelling of the chest emphasized the
haf ho
state of Kansas" and with suDerior
knowledge asserted that Kansas was for
''sound money" which being interpreted
by leaders of the side with which Mr. Blue
voted, means the single gold standard
If the people of Kansas are thorouohlv
satisfied with Mr.. Blues representation
that they not for silver but the single
gold standard they will doubtless assure
him of the fact this fall Ii Mr. Blue is
mistaken and the people of Kansas are
really in favor of silver that fact will
; also doubtless appear.
With MIR. Calderhead the situation is
sIlg htly different He was known to be |
q gold standard mau when he made the |
sSsnNaSs Tor congress and he made no !
concealment ots6Aek fact. He has car /
ried out his gold standard views on every |
question which has touched on the |
In"hey suOyecI In this congress so far |
hnoWing therefore that his views xvera !
known to his constituents. his course ca,,-
hardly be said 10 be presumptuous He |
Is responsible only to his own Cistricf
Mr. Blue 10 the whole state. And "a the |
representatives of four districts of the
s5ate believe their people are in favor Of |
Tree silver, MIR. Blue has taken consider |
able upon himself to say the whole state
is for the gold standard 1t is possible |
that being patted on the back and called |
''Dick" by some of the goldbug leaders |
who are Influential in the house tickled |
Mr. Blue SO he forgot for a moment about |
the people at home.
The effect the attitude of the Kansas |
congressman will have on their strength
at the ballot box is lookeu forw ard to bv
persons here who are identified with
Kansas affairs with keen interest. If the
voters OF Kansas are for silver it will
hardly fail to be shown by their votes.
Ana the difference of position by