The sun., 1897-12-06
FOR CURRENCY REFORM.
sENAToR LODGE THINKs THERE rs
a CHANCE OF PASSING a BILL.

ne Relieves . MANLY R1Eht shouid Ne hsae
for Sound Money nnd That the Rrespcoe
OF Success IL Brighter Thau IVES Ior
the Repeal or the sherman Raw IN hS"S'
WARRINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator Henry CaDot
Lodge of Massachusetts, 10 omphaticaly In
favor Of action by Congress regarding the cur
rency. He believes that 1t 10 better to propose
come simple proposition, which there 10 q cnanoe
OF passing, than TO present an elaborate pien'
He is ready to consider important changes,
however, it they appear to be supported by the
business community. He said to-day:
"I certainly believe that the effort should be
made to pass o currency measure at the coming
session. do not see why the situation In not
sufficiently favorable to warrant an aggressive
fight for some simple measure for the protection
Of the Treasury. 1t Is certainly much brighter
than 1t was for the repeal Of the Sherman law
In 1898. when the Senate met with an absolute
majority In favor of silver. Public opinion at
that time converted that hostile majority into
majority of eleven votes the other way. and X
the business men of tho country are In earnest
In desiring currency reform they ought to be able
to accomplish the same result again. The point
Of tho whole matter is that manly light for
sound currency will disclose our position, even
II 1t does not result in victory. The Republican
party is not in the habit Of going into fight
admitting that 1t is whipped, and / see no roa-
son for doing SO in this case. II tho sound
money men show some Of the spirit and aggres-
siveness which the silver men have shown in
coming here and demanding free coinage they
can WIN. l see no reason why we should not
put the same energy into this fight as into the
=" A measure which prov vides that the green
backs shall not be reissued after redemption in
gold, except for gold, seems to me not only the
most feasible proposition. but q thoroughly rea.
sonable and effective one. 1t is simply and
easily comprehensive. and would have support
which would not be given for more compli-
purpose of retiring the greenbacks obviously is
| out Of the question and should be avoided. for
reasons into which need not enter Ono of the
Is % .oppns fRs
is that there Is such multiplicity OF plans that
public opinion is confused and uncertain regard
ing them. II the monetary commission. which
meets for its final session next week, should re-
port Il carefully matured plan and the business
sentiment OF the country should heartily unite
In demanding Its enactment, something moro
might be accomplished than have Indicated
| 1T will require, however. good deal OF dis.
| cussion in the press and in Congress- to clarity
the issue II more is undertaken than have sug.
gested, and to corvinc the people Of the merits
| of any complete plan which might finally be
made the basis for legislation. think the pres-
| of the subject and that we might as we'll meet
our opponents on its discussion as to permit them
| to continue the propaganda for free silver with.
| defects Of the existing financial system. Some
| simple amendments to the Bank act might also
| be made, IL a complete revision is, as suppose
permission ought to be Riven to the banks to
issue notes up to the face value Of their bonds
| and to organize with small capital, say
10000. These amendments would increase
the currency, give it greater elasticity, and tend
| to furnish currency and banking facilities tc
parts Of the country which greatly need them.