The herald., 1897-12-08
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER $, 1897.
A DIVIDED PARTY

It is significant fact in connection
with President McKinleys message.
that 1t has not the hearty, unanimous
approval Of the party leaders. Almost
every Republican senator and represent
ative would, doubtless, if pressed for a
prove it as in political duty bound; but
1t is nevertheless a fact that the Re
publicans, In congress as we'll as out of
1t, are not in thorough accord with the
president upon the vital issues before the
country. Whether party discipline will
whip them into line. when the issues are
presented for decision, remains to be
seen.
The Republican senators and repre-
sentatives are by no means a unit upon
the very important subject of currency
reform. Those who have not made
study of the subject will of course en-
dorse any party measure that may be
presented. There are quite a number,
however. who have decidedly diverse
views upon the question, together with
we'll formulated plans. which are cer-
tain to be aired before they are aban-
doned.
Then, too, there Is no small number
Of congressman who are in favor of let
ting the currency question rest for the
discussion will exercise disturbing eff
feet upon the business interests of the
country. 1t will be recalled that the
senate, during the closing hours of the
extra session of congress last summer.
administered very decided snub to the
recommendation of the president that
currency commission be established.
The Republicans in congress are not
unit upon the subject of Hawaiian an
nexation. The crack of the party whip
will be heard here, for annexation has
become an administration measure, al
though the party platform is not ex-
plicit upon this point.
1t may be safely assumed that there
are many Republicans in congress who
do not subscribe to the policy laid down
by the president with respect to Cuba.
That part of the message is cold-blooded
and calculating; it's expressions of SYM
pathy with the Cubans are polite and
perfunctory. There are many Repub-
licans who would have been glad to see
stronger and more substantial express
sions in behalf Of the struggling Cubans,
and who will give publicity to their own
views regardless of the diplomatic atti-
tude taken by the executive
1t Will be seen that the president is not
In thorough accord with his party upon
the three most important issues before
the country at the present time WHY
Is this the situation? Why is there not
more harmony in the dominant party
upon the leading questions of the day?
There are several reasons. Perhaps
the most important Is that all the Re
publicans may not agree with and M
hold the central thought that apparant-
ly dominated the president in the prep
aration of his message. That central
thought was complete submission to
the demand of the money power that
the gold standard be still moro
firmly established as the founda-
ton of our currency system ;
with the secondary, but hardly less
prominent consideration, that nothin.
must be done to disturb business The
president is apparently of the opinion
that currency reform to certain degree
may be accomplished without any
menace to business and he is willing tc
risk the effort.
The secondary consideration is by nc