The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1896-01-17
SILVER IN THE SENATE.
Silver Republicans Make it Interesting for
the Tariff Tinkering GOld-Bug Republic
cans--Speaker Reed Against State
hood. Silver the Key Of the Sit
nation.

Washington, Jan. l4-Since the pub
licatlon here on Friday last of an in
terview with Delegates Flynn, Muir
ply and Catron. speaking hopefully of
the prospects of the admission of new
states. Speaker Reed has thrown a
bomb-shell into their camp, at least as
far as Arizona and New Mexico are
concerned. Speaker Reed openly pro-
claims that he is opposed to the admis-
sion of these two territories as states.
In an interview he said he opposes
their admission because it would in
crease the silver forces in the senate"
Nothing has been determined yet re-
garding the tariff bill. 1t is In the
hands of the finance committee, but
since the free coinage revolt no effort
has been made TO get a report on it.
Some senators are urging that it be re-
ported back to the senate, and that
the western republicans be forced to go
on record as voting against it. 1t is
probable that the bill will be allowed
to die a natural death in the committee,
as Jones, of Nevada, since the action
of the free coinage republicans, feels
more secure of his position. Wolcott,
too, who is on the finance committee,
would be very apt to stand with Jones
and the democrats. and the result is
that the protectionists are in a hope
less minority in the committee that
they themselves organized.
The action of the republican sena-
tors is reaching a parting of the ways
between the east and the west caused
a sensation here. 1t is considered the
most important departure in party
politics that has been made in a quar-
ter Of century.
With the free coinage republican SEN
atOrs refusing to cooperate with the
eastern men on the tariff legislation
unless the unlimited coinage of silver
is conceded to them in exchange, the
republican party becomes practically
lmpotent and unable to register a pol
icy on the statute books.
There are nineteen republican sena-
tors who have agreed to stand togeth-
er in the interests of the west, in all
things, including silver.
This revolt is the hardest blow that
protection has received since the presi-
DENTAL election Of 1892. The protec-
tionists were in high hopes. They felt
SURF of carrying the country next fall,
electing a president Of their choice and
a congress devoted to their theories.
But now all of a sudden comes a de-
c~laratlon of independence on the part
of the western men. This declaration,
it can be asserted, too, is not a mere
passing fancy, a mere whim, a mere
expression of anger or discomfort for
the time being. 1t was thought out
well and long, and only announced af-
ter serious and earnest consideration.
There was some very plain talk in
the caucus. 1t is coming out by de
grees. Mr.. Dubois, for INSTANCE, drew
what is called a "Schomburgk line of
demarcation and plainly told the east
ern men that they would have to make
the unlimited coinage of silver a tenet
of the party or be content with being
impotent so far as the power of legis-
lating is concerned. Mr.. Dubois said
that the national government present
ed some unique features at the pres
eut time. The president, he said, was
for tariff for revenue only and the
gold standard. The republican house
of representatives was for q tariff for
protection aud the single gold standard.
A majority of the senate, he felt as
sured, was in favor of the unlimited
I AH -