The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-04-03
pErr1GREw's sTuLTIFtcATIoN

A dispatch from Washington says the
preyalins topic Of conversation in polu-
cal circles continues to be the action OF
the South Dakota state convention and
the ridiculous plight Senator Pettigrew
occupies in eonsenting to so 10 St Louis
as one of the delegates from his state
under specific instructions TO vote against
free silver and in favor OF William Nc
Kinley. the mar who said he would not
accent the nomination for president IN
less the St Louis platform repudiated
free silver.
Mr.. Pettigrew a been one OF the
rab free silver Republicans, who has
been talking for the white metal in sea
son and out Of season, and was consid-
cred to be SC deeply committed to the
theory Of free coinage that nothing could
move him. The spectacle OF this radical
free silver apostle going to St Louis as
n representative for sound money is con-
zdered one OF the hopeful signs OF the
political situation, but what is thought
OF Pettigrew may be Inferred from the
fact that before the convention would
consent to send him to st. Louis he was
compelled TO go on thu floor and say
that he accepted n would be bound
BY the instructions Of the convention,
When the five free silver Republicans
prevented the consideration Of the reve-
nue. tariff bill a few weeks ago. Senator
Pettigrew was mentioned as n Of their
colleagues who would stand with them
TO the last ditch. When these same
silver senators tried a bunko game upon
the Manufacturers Club OF Philadelphia
by inviting a few representatives OF the
latter organization to meet them In
washington, and then giving out a state-
ment that the manufacturers were COM
uitted TO the cause Of free silver In
order to obtain the passage OF a pro-
tectiye tariff bill, Senator Pettlgrew was
again paraded as one % the sixteen sena-
tors who would prevent the passage Of a
tariff bill for ten years 10 ONE unless
concessions we're made to the advocates
Of free coinage.
Now that this same Mr.. Pettigrew has
voluntarily assumed a commission to go
tu st. Louis and vote for a sound money
nIank In the national platform. the free
silver coterie on the Republican side OF
,he senate are much depressed, ana are
indignant al his action. The game they
have been trying to work has failed In
the very territory where they claimed
10 have so much strength. 1t Is said
10 be the opinion of many senator's and
members Of congress that the position
taken by the South Dakota Republican
convention will be followed by other
states west of the Mississippi. that the
free silver clique has been counting on
as absolutely committed to the free COIN
age of silver 10 the exclusion Of other
issues.
II is believed that in the state Of Wyo-
ming, where there has been a strong free
silver sentiment, there will be a repeu-
tion of the South Dakota convention.
Senator Warren OF nat state gave the
free silver radicals to understand two
months g that if they persisted In
their policy of opposing all legislation
that did not embrace the free coinage OF
silver, they would 50 disgust the people
Of his state that the latter would declare
against that financial proposition. He
went so far as to say that he would not
be surprised If the action Of these sena-
tors in preventing the consideration OF
the revenue tariff bill would result IN
the Wyoming a convention next May
declaring in favor Of a gold standard.