The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1896-03-04
SILVER REPUBLICANS.
Their Mastery Tactics In the
Senate.
ADMIRED BY GOOD POLITICIANS.
Just = Word Of Advice tn Both Parties
About the Platform - The Balance Of
Power-A Candidate For once Score
tary Lamonts Tact.

Power-A Candidate For once Score
tary Lannon'S Tact.
WASHINGTON. March 8. Especial. J.
Tho sensational debate OF q few days ago
in the senate chamber Is still fruitful
topic of conversation. The play which the
silver men made has reused the highest
admiration among men who admire good
politics and sharp maneuvering. 1t Is
manifestly the policy of the silver Repub-
licans of the west 10 intimidate the party
SO that whom the convention assemblies at
st. Louis IL will be In a frame of mind to
make concessions TO the silver idea in or
der to hold the far western states in line
during the campaign Considered in this
light their tactics in the senate have been
mastery and interesting beyond measure.
No one knows TO what extent they would
carry their programme If the convention
should refuse to listen to their demands,
but 1t Is obvious they are very much in
earnest. Both parties have this silver
question TO deal with, and both are In deep
trouble over it.
The Silver Problem.
Until recently 1t was the intention Of
many of the Republican leaders in con-
gress to favor reaffirmaton of the silver
plank of the Minneapolis convention at
St. Louis. They thought that the easiest
way out OF the trouble. Now that the sill
yer men have themselves thrown down the
gauntlet and created so much stir with
their demand for recognition there APP.
pears to be change of sentiment. Not
few Republicans of prominence with whom
your correspondent has talked expressed
themselves in favor of n much more posi-
a i've a oIo hn
than had been contemplated short time
ago.
The talk now is that the Republicans
will not only declare for bimetallism, but
say precisely what they mean by that
term. If they do, President Cleveland
will be disappointed, because he has been
led to believe that the Republicans were
preparing TO straddle on the silver ISSUE
There is an impression here that the coun-
try will not be satisfied with glittering
generalities In the platform of either party.
and that what the people want Is explicit
ness.
Republican Needs.
While IL is true the Republican party
might easily get along without the votes
of the five states Of the mountain region
which are represented in the rebellion
against the tariff bill in this congress,
conservative leaders of that party are look
ing TO tho future. Those five states have
only 10 electoral votes, probably not
enough to affect the result one way or the
other 1t would be an odd contingency,
chance shot, IL they were TO become the
decisive votes. So far as the electoral col
lege is concerned the Republicans can
worry through, doubtless, without the
votes Of Idaho, Montana, Colorado, Utah
and Nevada, but what are they going to
do in the senate of the coming congressP
The ten senators who represent those states
are pretty sure to have the balance of
power between the parties for several years
to come. II they have not of their own
number, they can always find re-enforce-
ments in the adjoining states. Therefore
the situation which Republican leaders
have to face Is this They may get control
of the White House and of both branches
of congress, but what good will that do
them If they are unable to carry through
a measure of protection on account of the
obstructive attitude of the silver men In
the senator That would be party in
complete possession of the government
and yet without the power to legisate on
the subject nearest and dearest TO the
hearts of the party. 1t is quite evident we
have not heard the last of the plot of the
silver men TO control the Republican party
through their possession of the balance of
power in the senate.
Personal Gossip.
A good story concerning the peculiar
manner in which western candidate for
Office under the treasury department
queered himself has come to my ears, and
It Is too good to go imprinted. He had
been decided upon for an important Office,
and as soon as he heard of his good luck
he took the train for Washington and called
to pey his respects to the secretary of the
treasury. He felt 80 good that he spent
about two hours in the secretary's Office
and failed TO take any one Of the many
hints that were offered about the fleetness
of time and the shortness of life. Then
finally taking his departure he invited As
sistant Secretary Hamlin out to dinner
and kept that poor man for something like
three hours talking to him of the distin-
guished abilities of the host of the occasion
and what great things he was going to do
as soon as he were safely installed In the
official post TO which he was about to be
appointed. Next day there was a consul
tation In the Office of. the secretary of the
treasury. The secretary and assistant sec
rotary compared notes, and as result
thereof the loquacious gentleman was
turned down, and man who had never
shown his face In Washington received the
appointment.
Secretary Lamont, It Is often said, Is the
jack OF all trades of the administration
He Is the man who Is generally credited
with shrewdness and administrative ability
enough for half dozen cabinet ministers
an assumption which Is not altogether out
of keeping with the facts. 1t is one of the
traditions of the capital that IL any one
wants something done requiring good ma
ture generosity, influence, skill, prompt
ness of action and n general willingness to
serve country and humanity Mr.. Lamont
Is the man. In pursuance of this widely
prevalent notion the secretary of war Is
often called upon to do queer things. Per-
haps the oldest instance of this sort on
record occurred few days ago. Stopping
at one of the fashionable hotels Is society
woman of great wealth. The wats 1T pipe
In her room burst night before last and
all efforts of the hotel people to get the
flow stopped proved unavailing The
plumber camo, but the water ran on, and
the poor woman was in sore distress FL.
nally an inspiration seized her. She sum-
moned her servant and babe him run with
all speed to the office of the secretary of