Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-07-24
Obstacles to sound Money Union.

Those who, like Mr.. Whitney, have been
laboring for a union of the sound money
forces of the two old parties for effect in
this campaign find the tariff the principal
obstacle in the way of success. Sound
money democrats al very much pleased
with Mr.. McKinley'S Interpretation of the
financial plank of the ST. Louis platform.
His views are Identical with their own on
the subject of protecting the credit of the
government Personally, also. they have a
high regard for the man. They like his
poise. his dignity. his fine character as a
citizen. But they object to his views on
the tariff. and they express fear of conn
hitting themselves In some way on that
subject IL they openly assist in republican
success In November. At the same time
they will not support Mr.. Bryan. believing.
they do. that free coinage Of silver
would work ruin to the country.
These men express themselves az anxious
to get around the difficulty IL 1t can fairly
be done They do not expect Mr.. McKin-
ley to abandon his position on the tariff.
nor do they intend to abandon their own.
Many of them believe that a union of
sound money strength is necessary to over
come the silver movement, and hence, all
things considered. they are in an anxious
frame of mind.
Among the propositions lately submitted
to effect this union of strength Is this
Let 1t be understood that the first and
most distinctive work to be transacted by
the Fifty fifth Congress m case the sound
money men are in majority In the House
shall relate to the financial question. No
particulars are offered. but 1t is assumed
that as such men will have principally In
view the shielding of the country from free
nd NV
ernment they will be able to agree upon
a measure. Then let that measure pass
Let the tariff be taken up only to the ex-
tent of providing for the deficiency, which
both sides agree is created by the present
tariff law. due regard being had for the
radical difference that exists between the
sound money allies to the fundamental
principles of taxation. This 1t is insisted,
Will put matters on an easy basis and re-
store confidence; and for such an end, it
Is suggested, union of men who differ
widely on the general principles OF eco
Monies can be brought about.
AS for the tariff proper-for such a re-
vision of the present law as the protec-
tionists insist La necessary for the pros
perfty of the country-let that question be
made the basis of the congressional cam
paigns of 1885. Let the Fifty-sixth House
alliance having accomplished its purpose
and been dissolved, sound money protec-
tionists can now put forward their candi-
dates and sound money Iow-tariff men
their candidates, with the tariff as the only
issue
The republican leaders are chary about
discussing this proposition They want
all the sound money democratic strength
they can get They realize that they will
need good deal But the fact confronts
them that, according to their claim. the
financial question grows out Of the tariff
question; that no difficulty with the coun-
try was developed until President and a.
Congress pledged to free trade were
elected. and the revenues of the govern
ment were reduced to the point Of a deficit:
and that the surest and promptest way
back to tine old satisfactory order of things
Is by return to the policy Of high pro-
lection.
still. the campaign Is very young yet
and the full measure of all the dangers
mas not been taken. Where so much
necessity for union exists union In the
end. may be effected If no more Ia asked
by sound money democrats than the con-
cession which the Chicago antf-protection
platform makes to it's protection allies.
namely, the postponement of tariff aues-
tons, except that Involved In meeting
the revenue deficiency. until after tte
financial question is settled. a reasonably
effective union of the sound money men on
this basis ought to be possible. The re-
publicans will doubtless give careful con-
sideration to Mr.. Whitney's warming If
they were all equally positive that the
running of sound money democratic
presidential ticket Is less desirable than
attempted fusion on the suggested basis
they would quickly offer concessions But
there is still difference of opinion on
this point.