Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-27
REFORM IN THE CURRENCY
Views Of Those Who Favor Some Legis-
lation.
DisafectiOn of Western Republicans
Upsettfng Democratic Hopes.

In spite of the fact that Speaker Reed
and some other of the republican leaders
are greatly opposed to such agitation, it is
quite apparent that it is going to be i'm
possible to prevent discussion of the cur
rency question during this session of Con-
gress. The opposition is going to force it
IL no one else does, and 1t is believed by
those who have faith in a courageous pol
ICY that 1t Is better to direct that discussion
to the end of securing legislation which
the administration desires than to let it be
forced by the opposition on the lines of
free silver, with the republicans merely on
the defensive and proposing nothing. The
tact that few individuals are in a shaky
position on the subject, it is felt does not
warrant the majority in avoiding the ques-
ton and not making an attempt to secure
legislation which the administration and "a
majority of the republican party deem de-
Sirable.
1t Is regarded as almost certain that if a
proposition for legislation is presented as
party measure, having the approval of a
majority of the party in Congress and the
active support of the administration a
united support of republicans in both houses
or Congress can be secured for it, The
danger of disaffection among western re-
pupilcanS is apparently exaggerated. Such
men as might not be quite satisfied would
naturally be compelled to accept the situa-
selves with the opposition and would stand
politically nowhere if not with their own
party.
disappointing Democratic Hopes.
The democrats have contemplated with
glee TIE prospect of division among re-
publicans on this question and are pre-
pared to go before the country in the con-
sressional election with the declaration
that the republican House was capable of
Offering no remedy for the. situation, be-
cause many of the party recognized the
Pc tsltlon or the party untenabIc. All
they want is inaction to give them the
opportunity for the sort of political capital
trey want. If, however, an approved meas
ure Is put through the House and the re-
publlcans In the Senate stand solidly for
IT, as they can almost certainly be Undue ed
to do IL the effort is made seriously, the
expectations of the silver people will be
disappointed and: even if legislation is
not fully accomplished, the republican
party Will be placed in Il position which
Will not be In the least equivocal. Such
policy, 1t Is believed would spoil very
large consignment of democratic ammuni-
uon.' Moreover, legislation well started
curing this session might stand a chance
OF being carried to completion during the
session following.
There is certainly going to be very de-
termlned effort made to carry out this
aggressive idea. The belief that no great
risk of dsaffection on the mart of west arm
republicans will be involved by adopting
such a course is sustained by the fact thai
all the international agreement republi-
cans who have been engaged in criticizing
elr. 1age nave taken great care to keep as
FAR as possible from any sort of associ1-
tion with the free silver republicans v, ho
bolted the party last year, and have gem
orally referred to them as extremists