The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-06-06
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON
[rrom our Special Correspondent
WASHINGTON, June ,, 1896.

WASHINGTON, June 2, 1896.
The visit of Senator Quay to Major McKin-
lev at his home in Canton recently has been
generally construed as a surrender OF the
anti Mckinley combine to the inevitable.
The only question seems TO be whether the
surrender was conditional or unconditional,
All parties concerned have been reticent since
the interview, and the enterprising scrlbeS OF
the press are left to exercise in the field OF
conjecture. 1t appears to be toregone con-
clusion now that Mckinley will be nominated
without serious opposition, and most likely
on the first ballot, and that his friends will
make the platform. Their purpose is known
| to be to make protection the leading issue OF
the campaign and to dwarf the financial ques-
ton into as small dimensions as possible, but
how far they will succeed in this the proceed
| ings OF the convention will determine.
1t is now very apparent that, with view
to giving emphasis to the necessity Of higher
tariff taxes, the Republicans have purposely
refrained from giving any relief to the Treas
ury at the present session. 1t has been charged
| ali along by leading Democrats and the silver
| Republicans that the so-called "Dingley bill,
| proposing horizontal increase of from 10 to
| so per cent, of existing tariff duties, was not
| intended to pass. Reference was made IN
the last letter to the successive propositions
made on behalf of the Democratic minority
| looking, first, to an increase of revenue on
non partisan lines; second, to curtailment
of expenditures within existing revenues. and,
third, to provision for tiding over temporary
deficiencies BY the issue of short-iime Treas
ury certificates, as recommended by Secre,
tary Carlisle in his last annual report; and
how all of these propositions had been sue
cessively declined by the Republicans through
Senator Sherman, their leader.
But the Republican policy of non action
was still further emphasized when the ''hlled
cheese" bill was under consideration in the
Senate on Saturday, for then the Democrats,
not content with formally submitting PROPOSE
tons to be formally declined, proposed
series of amendments providing light duty
on tea and coffee, a tax on beer, a duty on
iron and steel manufactures, and other prac-
teal revenue-producing measures, and put
the Republicans on record as opposing each
and all of those measures. Mr.. Teller, silver
Republican, sarcastlcally referred to the SUD,
den disappearance of Mr.. Sherman's alleged
zeal for increasing the revenue on non-parti
san lines, when the first practical opportunity
had at last been presented in the tendency of
revenue measure coming over from the
House.
The great strength of the silver sentiment
which is manifesting itself within the Demo
cratic party in the Northwest is IL subject of
grave consideration to the wiser leaders of
the party. 1t is now seen that much of the
Incorporate talk that has been INDUCED IN
against the silver men is not well advised aud
will work serious injury if persisted in. The
Democratic party ought to resolve to stand
firmly together at Chicago and not repeat the
disastrous history of 1860 There is no doubt
that majority Of the Democratic party at this
time are in favor of the reconciliation of
silver, and if it should transpire that this
opinion is predominant at Chicago then there
is nothing for good Democrats to do but to
cheerfully submit to the rule of the majority.
1t ought to be remembered that an open de-
claration for reconciliation of silver will not
contravene any Democratic principle, and it
is certainly the part of good democracy to cul
tivate spirit of tolerance and mutual conces-
sion on the financial question rather than fol-
low the intolerant policy of some of the Ad-
ministration leaders.
The bill of Mr.. Butler, Populist, of North |
Carolina prohibiting the issue of any more
bonds for the maintenance of the gold re-
serve, which has been under discussion and is |
still pending in the Senate, IS regarded as a |
very extreme measure under the cIreum
stances. Congress having refused 10 increase
the revenues or diminish the expenditures or
grant the authority to issue. short-time Treas
ury certificates, it is regarded as very rash
policy to thus peremptorily withdraw the only |
bulwark which stands between the Treasury
and bankruptcy. There seems to be little |
doubt however, that if the bill comes to a
vote in the Senate it will pass. 1t is thought |
likely, however, that, to save time in these
expiring days of the session, it will be allowed
10 pass as there is no prospect of it becoming
law.
Vrprr,S