St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-10
WILL THERE BE A COMPROMISED

In 1873 when the greenback craze
was making the politicians Of both
parties timid, the house passed free
coinage bill under the leadership Of
Mr.. Bland. This bill went to the SEN
ate, where it had no chance Of passage,
But the Republicans in the seanate
felt that the situation required artful
lodging. The greenbackers were clam
orous and boastful. Ordinary plati-
fudes In platforms no longer beguiled
them. Just how numerous they were or
might become was uncertain. That
their noise was out Of all proportion to
their number was known. Specie re-
sumption was set for the year ahead.
The shadow of the presidential cam
paign was already covering the fore
ground. Congressional elections were
impending. The situation was precise
ly the one when a politician has no
stomach for fight, and when his cour-
age oozes, like Bob Acres, from his
finger ends. It was exactly the condi-
ton when the COMPROMISED and not
the fighter gives the counsel that is
needed. The outcome was the act mis-
called the Bland, but which was in
fact the Allison law for silver pur-
chase. coinage and certificates.
This year the senate sends to the
house free coinage bill Identical with
that which the house sent the senate
eighteen years ago. This time this
Dill stands no show of passage In the
mouse. Now, as then, there is a cam
paign forging it's way into action, in
Yolv1ng presidencies and congressional
seats. Twelve states, with their cleo
toral votes, are solid for silver The
Populists and Silver Grays are to get
together in national convention after
both the others are held. 1t is a silver
wedge that has split the "Solid South"
and any hopes of success there DEPEND
on driving the wedge deeper. Well
disciplined as Is the Republican rank
and file, there is a fear that they may
not be docile, and may mutiny in num-
bers sufficient to be dangerous There
Is feeling, suppressed for the most
part, prevalent among the managers
that something must be done for sill
YER" 1t is, as in 1873, precisely the sit
uation for compromise
1t is not surprising, therefore, that
>rumors Of compromise are floating
about. One Of these says that it will take
the form of bond issue of $500, OOO, 900
with which to retire the greenbacks
and treasury notes, as a concession to
the gold bugs" So placated, thew
will assent to the free coinage of sill
yer at sixteen to one, thus satisfying
the silver grays. If we had not the
historic career of the Republicans on
the currency, from the greenback in
ception to the acts of 1878 and 1890
one might regard the rumor of this
latest compromise as being too absurd
TO have a moments serious hearing.
But there is absolutely nothing in that
history to render this story at all i'm
probable; while the situation is sucb
as induced former surrenderers of ma
tional welfare to imaginea present inter-
est. The, elections since 1884 have given
tAiCSC lhCii Tie luSd that the voting Dllfb-
lie is very skittish creature, to be
watched closely and handled with care
and never to be driven without blind
ers. If they think that some comprom.
1se will act as binder, there are no
scruples about public welfare that
will prevent them from using 1t.
Fortunately for the country, there
sits in the presidential chair this time
man who cares very little for per-
sonal popularity, and still less for par
~ expediency. So far from this being a
aindrance to the compromise, 1t will
be positive help to it; because it
Will render the experiment harmless.
II harm could come Of it, while it will
enable the Republicans to pose as the
friends of silver and cast upon the
Democrats the odiuna of hostility to it.
It will enable. them to do that which
they might possibly not do were they.
fully responsible, thus letting them hold
the silver states while relying on the