The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-02-05
Senator Bakers Body Blow De-
livered at Kansas.
The Subject of Adverse Com
ment Among the Kansans
Who Really Strive to Represent
Their State
IN HALLS OF CONGRESS.
While Baker May Be Sincere in
His Beliefs,
He Is False to the People Who
Sent Him
AS A REPRESENTATIVE
To Legislate According to Their
Ideas,
Found in the Gold Camp With
the States Enemies.


From the State Journals Special Corresp ondent
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-Senator Ba-
ker's vote on the free silver substitute
for the house bond bill is the subject of
considerable quiet comment among the
Kansas contingent in Washington. They
wonder how his opposition to the coin
age of silver, shown in his votes, will
be received by his constituents The
spectacle presented OF a senator
from Kansas, where the sentiment OF the
people is Enthusiastically favorable to sill
YER, voting with the east against the
west; with gold men and upholders of
the policy of President Cleveland and
against the Republican senators from the
western states.
This Is an unusual sight, a senator
separating himself from those who rep
resent western interests aud western
ideas and going into the company of the
exponents and defenders of Wall street,
men whose mission is to antagonizs and
strangle the interests of the west. And
yet senator Bakers votes on the bond
bill and the different amendments to il
were the same as those of John Sher-
man, David 3. Hilf German, Gray, Hoar,
Morrill, and Villas There is no doubt
Senator. Baker was perfectly sincere IN
his vote and no one would accuse hIsn Of
being untrue to his convictions, but now
he can reconcile his action with fhe 5eu-
timent and interests OF the state he is
supposed to he repress atfBg is some ,
thing thatit is difficult for those vino are
watching the progress of events to un-
derstand.
West of a line dividing the United
States north and south and coiaciding
with the eastern line of Kansas Senator
Baker was the only senator but one who
vo.ed with the gold men against the
free coinage substitute. The other one
was Senator Thurston of Nebraska
These two are the only senators of the
whole west TO vote against their OWE sec
tion and with the insolent east.
If the line were put even farther east
to the Mississippi river there were only
Iour more senators who voted with the
gold men-these were Nelson and Davis
of Minnesota aad Gear aud Allison of
Iowa.
1t seems therefore trifle odd that
senator chosen to represent a western
state should go over into the camp OF
those who nave always been ready 10
profit at the expense of western interests.
Not until lately has the west had the
numbers and power to defend herself,
but since the chance has come IL Is con-
sidered unfortunate for Kansas and for
Kansas Republicansm that the only
Kansas Republican in the higher branch
of congress should desert his brethren of
the west and their fight for its interests.
1t ia infelicitous that Kansas should thus
be put ont of joint with the element
witch is now in control in the senate
and which will grow stronger from now
on.
There can be no doubt, however, that
Senator Baker has severed himself com
pletely from the silver cause and that
he is not in favor with she silver men
who are now controlling the United
States senate.
While tbs vote was being taken on the
free silver substitute for the bond bill,
he made a feeble attempt to have his
amendment providing for the coinage OF
| the American product only, considered,
but his efforts showed that he was ia
more successful in attracting attention
| when he raised his feet in the senate
than when he raised his voice. OIly his
| half heartedness and the fact that he was
a new senator kept him from receiving a
| rebuke such as was administered to Sena-
| tor Lodge of Massachusetts who also
| urged the amendment, but in a more Wig
| orous wey.
| Senator Lodge sought to load the bill
| down with bond provision for coast de-
| lenses. Senator Teller moved to lay the
amendment on the table, and it was car
ried with such emphasis and rush that
| even the pugnaciOus senator from Mas
sachusetts was squelched
| Senator Bakers votes on the different
| amendments TO the su betitute as well as
on it's final passage show that he was III
favor of killing the free coinage pcovi-
sion. On the Populistic amendment of
Senator Allen of Nebraska he voted aye
with Senator Hill and some others who
| desired to fasten it on the bill SO II could
| not pass. On the motion OF Senator Cor
man to table the bill and thus effectuaiiy
| dispose of it he voted aye along with
German, Hill, Gray, Villas and the other
| Cleveland fnauciers On the amend
ment OF Senator Morrill, of Vermont,
providing that the seigniorage on the
coinage of silver be retained by the
| Uuited States to the extent of the diner
ence between the coinage value anu lhe
commercial value of the bullion, Wnich
meant in effect gold monometallism,
Senator Baker voted aye. On the 1fee
| silver substitute and on the fiual passage
| Sir Baker voted nc.
Early in the discussion OF these amend
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