The Portland daily press., 1896-06-06
ESPECIAL TO THE PREss.J

Washington, June 5.-The develop
ments OF The last ten days in the politics
OF various states have had ID disquieting
effect upon the Republican leaders. The
utter defeat Of the sound money Demo-
! Gratis of kentucky, and the severe blow
dealt the Repu blicans Of Oregon after the
sound money declarations of their con-
vention, have been the most conspicuous.
but not the only sign of free silver
craze which somewhat resemble the
| tariff tide recently seryiceable to Major
Mckinley. From many states especially
in the South and West come indications
that the free silver men are active, we'll
organized and confident. Some of them,
like the members from Arkansas and 9th
er dense free silver regions, go so far as
to boast that they will sweep the coun-
try next November. The attitude of MIR.
Mckinley, SO deliberately, and contin-
uously doubtful on this all important
question, is undoubtedly feeding the
flame.
| The etTeot of the loose money senti-
ments in the country at large upon the
House of Representatives has been mani
tested in the proceedings ON the Senate
bond bill. This bill provides that the
| President shall not issue bonds except
with the consent Of Congress. On the
face OF it the measure looks plausible,
but when examined it is found to be a
deadly blow at the national credit. The
Senate will not allow bill for raising
| more revenue to pass and they will not
allow to pass bill authorizing the is
sue of bonds. That is, they would not
allow the government to get needed
money either by revenue. or by borrow
| ing, but would force the use of the gold
reserve for paying current expenses
This gold reserve is the guarantee of our
great greenbaok circulation, the senate
bond bill is really blow, and a vicious
one, at the integrity of cur currency sys-
| TEN.
Speaker Reed, Mr.. Dlngley. Mr.. Dal-
zel, Mr.. Payne and other strong sound
money men have had no doubt from the
first that the best way to meet this blow
was by mesting it squarely and defeat-
ing it in the House as soon as it should
appear. 1t was intended to do this on
Wednesday. but it was found that a
strong sentiment had grown up in the
House W hich might make it difficult to
administer to the bill the immediate and
signal defeat that was hoped. Many
members, especially from the West and
South, were found tender on the ques-
4ion; and the sound money leaders found
it necessary to wait until they could can
vas their forces and prepare for battle
in the House.
Another disquieting sign is found in
the evident intention Of the leading No
kinney managers to force 'straudle''
financial plank on the party at st. Louis.
The present silver craze is sire myth ening
the hands Of these managers. Men like
General Grosvenor declare that tcom :
promise" financial plan will be adopted
at ST. Louis and : that the East may
choose between that and free silver which
Will be presented by the Democrats. The
strongest sound money leaders feel that
with the Democrats in an out-and-out
free silver position, the Republicans will
be at great disadvantage if they dc
not plant themselves squarely on sound
money position, declaring for the main
tenance of the present gold standard
which is the standard of all the great
commercial nations.