New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-24

Colonel Morrison. Of Illinois has Il way IT
making sharp points In controversy. His state
ment about money makes one which the Prcsl-
dent and his Democratic supporters will find
too sharp for their comfort. He says: 1t is
difficult to keep up with the Administration. 1t
so often moves on In the direction Of the de-
"mands Of the thrifty In finance. ! would BE-
"willing 10 take ms the Democratic policy or
platform the declaration made in the law re-
"pcallng the Sherman act" which Is quoted by
Mr. Morrison and given below. Everybody re-
members how hcrccly the President and his
friends fought for that law, and also that cx-
acily half the Democrats voting or paired in the
Senate were for the bill-namely, twenty-five
for and twenty-two against it--sO that this pet
measure ~ the Administration was passed by
the twcnty-six Republicans voted paired in
its favor. only eleven of them being against II.
The President gained this sole success Of his
second term by pushing through the bill which
Senator Voorhees, reported at his desire. con
tanning the following declaration. which Colonel
Morrison quotes as the Democratic platform lie
would be- willing to accept now:
And 1t Is hereby declared TO be the policy OF
the United States 10 continue the use OF both
gold and silver az standard money, and to coin
both gold and silver into money OF equal in
10 be secured through International agreement
or by such safeguards Of legislation AZ will in
sure the maintenance OF the parity In value of
coins OF tn, two metals and the equal power OF
every dollar at all times In the markets and In
payment OF debts. And 1t is hereby further de-
clared that the efforts OF the Government should
be steadily directed To the establishment OF
such a safe system OF bimctallism will main
tain at all times the equal power Of every dol
lar coined or issued By the United States In
the markets and In the payment of debts.
It Will be observed that all the Administration
journals are savagely denouncing Mr. Morrison
as one who wants harmony ut any price," and
pretending that no sound money man can accept
the very declaration which all OF them fought
for tooth and nail. In August 1893, and which
the President signed But next let the follow
Ing declaration be compared with the act de-
manded by the Administration three years ago:
We contend for honest money; for currency
OF gold silver and paper with which TO meas
our exchanges that shall be az sound as
the Government and as untarnlshed as its
honor; and To that end We favor bimetallism
and demand the use OF both gold and silver as
standard money. either In accordance with a
ratio to be fixed by an international agreement.
If that can be obtained or under such restrc-
lions and such provisions to be determined by
legislation, Will secure the maintenance OF
the parity OF value of the two metals. 80 that
the purchasing and debt paying power Of the
dollar. whether OF silver, gold or paper, shall
be at all times equal.
This is the Ohio Republican platform, for
which the so-called sound money Democrats
profess great detestatlon. Yet it Is immeasur-
ably stronger In tone and statement than the
declaration for which the Administration and
these "sound-money Democrats fought In re-
peang the Sherman act. and 1t deliberately re-
jects and omts AS tricky and evasive the pro-
posal ito coin both gold and silver into money
Of equal intrinsic and exchangeable value" A
dodge 50 insulting TO the intelligence Of the
people naturally found Its origin in a Democratic
Administration BILL and not In Republican
platform. But next compare the following:
The American people from tradition and in
terest favor bmetailsm, and the Republican
party demands the OF both gold and silver
as standard money. with such restrictions and
under such provisions to be determined by legis-
lation- as Will secure the maintenance Of the