Evening star., 1896-11-14
SILVER MEMS PL ANS
Representative Hartman Says They Will All
Work Together.
Thinks Mr.. Cleveland Ought to Sign
Tariff Bill-A Gloomy
Outlook.

Representative Charles S. Hartman of
Montana, one of the leading boilers from
the st. Louis convention, and since that
time ore of the most active and prominent
fighters for free coinage, is in the city, to
remain until the opening of the coming ses-
sion Of Congress. Mr.. Hartman is likely
to become the leader of the Independent
silver forces I'm the House for the remainder
Of this Congress and in the next Congress,
and will become prominent a figure in
that body as he has been in the various
conclaves of the silver men since he left
the republican party.
Mr. Hartman was asked by Star re-
porter today for his ideas on probable tariff
legislation at the coming session of Con-
gless and for the attitude of the silver
nen on these questions. He said that what
ever opinion he might give of tariff legisla-
ton would be pure guess-work, but he
talked more freely Of what the silver men
may do.
VIII Work Together.
Il went anticipate he said, what the
silver forces will do, because 1 deem il in
expedient, but / am sure they will work
together. Whatever course they pursue,
however, will be such a one as, in their
Judgment, Will render the most effective
aid to the cause of bimetallism. This
consider to be paramount to all other ques-
tiCns, and, therefore, all else will be SUBJ
ofdlnated to its achievement. / do not feel
at all discouraged at the results of the
election, although 1 admit | was greatly
disappointed The splendid address given
to the public by Mr.. Bryan November 6
Will be responded to by the millions of hi
metallists in the United States, and the
battle Of the standards will again be
fought in 1909, after the preliminary fight
of 1898.
The new administration, whose comm. o
of Z he
OF prosperity, and whose leader was denom-
mated the advance agent of prosperity
VIII De charged with tae responsibility of
making good those promises The fac, liar
Mr.. Mckinley, in his public utterances dur
ing the campaign, spoke approvingly of the
financial policy of Mr. Cleveland 1 pre-
sumo, Indicates that We are to have
continuance of that policy. That presuup-
ton almost ripens into a certainty when
we remember the financial plank of the St
Louis Platform.
Thinks the Outlook Gloomy.
1t Is the desire of all of us that pros
perity may come, and come al once but
those of us who believe that continual fall
ing prices are not conducive to profitable
production are unable to entertain any
hope of permanent prosperity so long as
the standard of values. gold is constantly
con tracing and the value of every product
of human toll. measured in that standard
is proportionately growing less
While have no Information upon which
to base an opinion Of the probable course
OF the majority In the House relative to
tariff legislation, Il would seem TO me only
practical act of reciprocity, now that the
republican party has indorsed the financial
views Of President Cleveland, that Mr.
Cleveland should be willing TO sign their
tariff legislation il any should pass at the
coming session
All Silver Men Will Caucus.
In talking of the future course of the
silver men. Mr.. Hartman said: IF tariff
legislation is proposed the course of the
silver men will be determined by caucuses
of the silver men of all parties. In view
of the fact that the cause of bime.allism is
not political question, but one which has
received earnest patriotic and effective sup
Port from the ranks of all parties it would
seem to be the part of wisdom that upon
that question all caucuses called should be
non-political.'