The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-18


The very intelligent Washington CORE
spondent of the New York Journal Of
Commerce gives the following interest
ing account of the present and actual
state of affairs in the Senate. lie tele-
graphs his paper as follows:
WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-THE Repub-
lican majority OF the Senate Committee
On Finance are facing much the same
sort Of difficulties which the Democratic
majority had TO face I'm the last Congress
in regard to the tariff. They are nomi-
nally IN control Of ne committee. but
one or two senators have IL in their
power TO dictate terms 10 their associates
The real purpose OF the silver interest
Is TO secure the passage OF free-silyer
bill by the Senate. when this has once
been accomplished. in the form SUBJ
stitute for the bond bill. thcy will proba-
bly, have 10 objection 10 the passage OF
a tariff bill. without the silver attach
ment. They know perfectly well that
the silver bill VIII Doe vetoed, II IL ever
gets through the House and that the
tariff bill will be vetoed, either with or
without a silver section. Tic senators
from the silver-producing States feel.
however. that if protection is 10 be ac-
corded 10 American Industries, silver
should be considered. The form OF the
legislation which they desire may differ
slightly from tariff legislation, but its
essential purpose, from their point of
view. is the same. Nothing but the in
ertia of old party ties and the hostility
Of the Administration 10 silver. keeps
some OF the Western senators i'm tho pro-
tectionist ranks. For its practical ef-
fects upon their own people. protection
10 manufactured goods is with them Sec
ondary 10 legislation IN favor Of silver.
4 few raw products. like lead and wool,
may appeal to the Western senators as
proper subjects Of tariff protection. but
many of them would gladly surrender
protective duties on these articles II
they could get i'm return the free coinage
of silver. Senator Jones Of Nevada,
who has been keeping the tariff biz
locked up in the Finance Committee by
his demand for an increased duty on
sugar. occupies substantially this posi-
ton. II protection is TO be awarded
on all sides. he does not believe that
both silver and sugar should be excluded.
II they are excluded. there Is very little
in the protective policy FOR Nevada.
We really see nothing out Of the way
in the position Of Jones and the other
silver senators. If the New Englanders
are to have protection" for their wares.
We see no reason why Jones should not
have protection for his also. and we
see no reason why tho sugar men should
not also have gifts ont Of tho public
treasury. and if they are to have gifts.
we see no reason why The Times is not
to have some also, and everybody else
who would like 10 get rich without work.
So, If the day Of gifts out Of the public
treasury has arrived. we want Mr.. Jones
to stand out for his position, and see
that the sugar men. and all the others
who would like bounues get their share,
and We particularly request him to look
out for The Times share
We don't know when anything has
occurred that has accumulated the bald
ness Of protective robbery like this. There
is absolutely no difference in principle
between protection for Rhode Island
manufactures. free coinage Of silver and
gifts out OF the public treasury TO the
Louisiana sugar planters. on. that the
Democratic party would have the sense
to cut itself loose from cheap money and
confiscating income taxes, and found it,
self upon sound money and equal laws
and opportunities for all. 1t would carry
the country. with any respectable candi-
date, with a WhoOp.