Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-04-29
SOMETHING WORKING
Gold Sentiment Stronger in the West
Than Supposed.
SIGNIFICANCE OF WOLCOFI'S LETTER
It Looks Like a Split in the Silver
Party.
D \ II o U n G H A n G E D

The letter of Senator Wolcott declaring
his intention to stand by the republican
party, Notwithstanding the attitude the
party Will take on the silver question, and
inf-rentially condemning the course of the
five republican Senators who voted against
the tariff bill and are suspected of intend
ing to cut away from the party If SILVER is
not recognized, is received by the anti-si-
Yer republicans with general satisfaction
and not little surprise. 1t is regarded as
indication of the breaking up of the
silver forces in the so-called silver states.
There other things besides this letter
which still more strongly indicate an un-
expected condition of affairs in these
states, showing that the gold sentiment is
much stronger there than has been thought
by any one in the east and that good work
is being done in behalf of holding the party
together with submission to majority rule
Gov. McConneII's Position.
There are no states in the Union where
the silver sentiment is thought to be
stronger than in Colorado and Idaho. Yet.
in addition to this letter from Mr.. Wolcott,
ttere has been utterance by the repub-
Hcan governor cf Idaho, Mr.. Mcconnell,
much more eTphat!cally declaring party
made in San Francisco with relation to
the action of the five silver Senators on
the DtnSley bill, he takes the ground that
nothing can be done for silver: that the
republicans of the silver states should
stand by their panty and protection, and
that they should not even make a fight at
the St. Louis convention for a free silver
plank III the platform. He takes a very
decided stand against the action of Teller,
DuLo.s, Carter. Mantle and Cannon. and
condemns the sacrifice of the republican
party in the west on the altar of silver.
This coming from the governor of Idaho
IS regarded as particularly significant,
showing that the missionary work being
done there by the sound money men is
not entirely wasted. y short time ago
there seemed to be nothing but silver
thought of IN that section of the coun-
try The newspapers of Idaho, Montana,
Colorado and Utah have been pTaising the
bolting Senators: some primaries have in
dorSei their action, and the Utah state
convention eulcgized Cannon and the rest:
but these expressions from Wolcott, and
particularly from Governor Mcconnell. are
regarded Indicating that the sentiment
Is not all one way, and that there are some
who far-Sighted enough to prepare for
a change of conditions
Something Working in the West.
While Senator Wolcott's utterances are
guarded and leave opportunity for him
to join an independent silver movement if
it becomes desirable, it is significant that
ly in so conservative a position. A few
years ago he was the most radical of the
silver men 1t is said by his associates
that while the men who have now taken
the extreme position in favor of silver or
bust We're advising that they make their
fight within the party, Nolcott was in
sisting that the silver people could not de-
pend upon either of the old parties, and
should strike out for themselves. One of
his colleagues, commenting On the signifi-
Cance of his present attitude, said today
that he thought he had done more than any
ether man to encourage populism and that
for him to advocate sticking to the party
now showed that there must be something
working in the west.
Senator Shoup's Letter.
Another significant thing is a letter writ
ten by Senator Shoup to his constituents.
He does not go as far as either Wolcott or
Mcconnell, but declares very emphatical
for protection and against it's being sacri-
feed, though he reaffirms his loyalty to sill
yer.
These things all go to show that there is
a split in the silver ranks, and that there
Is being made very determined effort to
turn down the republican Senators who
placed themselves in the position of ex-
tremists. Reports come that Teller and
Dubois are having fight at every turn
In Idaho the fight is quite hot Thus far
the primaries and district conventions have
1Hdorsed the attitude of Dubois and those
who acted with him in the Senate but with
the influence of the governor on the side of
sound money and party loyalty it may
ne that the silver extremists will be de-
feated Dubois Is taking as extreme a DO
sitiOn in his canvass for reelection as he
took in the Senate
kootepai. is the sort put through where
his friends are il control:
What Dubois Friends Declare.
We. the republicans of Kootenai county,
IN convention assembled. announce our al
legiance to the principles of birnetallisn,,
protection and reciprocity.
Whereas the oriental nations. with their
cheap labor, are fast becoming dangerous
competitors to the industries of our land,
and SO long as silver-using countries which
are rapidly becoming our rivals in all man
utaCtured articles, well az bread stufrs
ard raw materials, sell their production for
gold in our and other Sold standard coun-
tries, with which gold they purchase silver
bullion worth but 30 cents on the dollar in
our and other gold standard nations,
but worth 100 cents on the dollar in
their own, it is Impossible for us to com
pete with them, and protective tariff legis-
lation is utterly futile and without avail,
Resolved, That heartily indorse the
POSITION of our Senator, Hon. Fred. T. Du-
hcis. in the recently firm stand taken by
him in the Senate, and cordially commend
his course, and that of Senators Teller,
Garter, Cannon and Mantle, in opposing
the Dingley tariff bill.
And be it further Resolved, That we are
in favor of the free and unlimited coinage
of silver at the ratio of 16 to l. and of in
structing the delegates from the state to
the national republican convention to de
vote their entire, exclusive and undivided
efforts to the securing of the adoption of
that declaration in the platform of the
party.
We believe the prosperity of the country
demands that all other issues shall be SUBJ
ordinated to the enactment of this prin-
cipIe into law.