The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-16
AS to Wisdom of Appointing
Bimetallic Commission.
Democrats are Not Agreed Money
Question Will Not Down.

can be done I'm the matter OF international
bimetallisin. First II Is important 10 know
the view Of the administration in adopting
this policy. learn upon excellent author
ity that the president is not really hopeful
that ANYTHING can be done, but he deems
it his duty 20 put forth an effort. Not only
did the ST Louis platform promise that
this should bo done, but the president
recognizes the fact that millions OF Ameri-
can citizens believe in free silver with or
without international cooperation. He
wants to convince this great class OF the
people that he Is not the enemy OF any
progress that can be made along whole
some lines If the other nations are IL
such position that they can cooperate with
us, either to adopt tho double standard or
20 increase the use of silver, nothing can
be lost by giving them a chance to join us.
Two Political Elements.
Among prominent Republicans one view
ls that the president is quite right in thus
attempting 10 satisfy the great middle class
Of the silver men of the country. They
say he by this action appeals 10 the sense
of fairness of all but the radical silver fol-
lowers, and that such men must be forced
TO admit he IL reasonable and friendly, ana
that il Is the fault OF world conditions,
and not his fault, if nothing more tangible
can be accomplished. All the true bimet-'
allsts of the Republican party In congress
/, adopt this view of the matter.
Another element, the gold standard Re
publicans, think the president has made
mistake. They say the country last year
for the first time learned the great philo-
sophie truth that double standard is an
impossibility They say the advance which
the country made in intelligent discrimi-
nation between truth and fallacy during
last years campaign was "a phenomenal
thing in tho history of a people. For years
there had been so much talk of bimctal-
lism, either national or international, that
q great majority of the people had begun
to look upon it not only as practical, but
desirable When they were forced To think
about 1t by the trend Of the campaign OF
1896 they discovered, or many OF them did,
that any scheme for a double standard
rests upon "a false basis. Now, by appoint
ing this commission, it is argued by this
wing, the president has TO great extent
undone what was achieved by the cam
paign He has furnished new argument
IN favor of the practicability of double
standard. He has placed In the hands OF
those who believe In it another weapon.
They can now say again, as they said dur
ing the campaign, that IL it - n desirable
thing for a number OF nations why not
desirable thing for one great nationY Why
wait till tho cooperation OF foreign powers
Is obtained?
Signs From Afar.
The alacrity with which tho new admin
istration has taken this step, In only lit
tie more than "a month after the Inaugural
tion, has tended toconvince many observ-
ers that sincerity Is not in those Republic
ans who say the financial question was
settled by the campaign of last year. 1t
has been fnvorite theory with many op
tiinistic members OF that party that the
silver business, as they call IL, has played
out; that the battle OF the standards was
fought 10 n decisive and final issue last
fall, ard that the country will not again
have to go through silver campaign. But
the more level headed and conservative Re-
pubiicans confess this Is not true. They
see the signs Of the next battle from afar.
They realize that 1896 was but the pre-
cursor of 1900, and that silver versus gold
is likely to be the issue again. Granting
that this Is so, the Republicans are still
divided in their opinion as to the wisdom
of tho presidents commission. Some say
the best way to gct away from the silver
crate silver men that the administration Is
not unfriendly to them, while others say
the whole matter should be ignored as
much as possible on the theory that In
time the people will forget about it.
Really there Is quite a chaotic condition
Of parties here at this time, and in reflect
ing these various opinions in the Repub-
lican ranks as find them in Washington
am only trying TO show you what forces
are at work. Weare In "A formative period,
and Ii may take year or two TO winnow
out distinct policy. The Democrats are
IN similar situation. They cannot agree
any better than the Republicans, even II
ss well. In addition 10 the old division
of that party between gold Democrats and
silver Democrats, we sec them now diyid-
ed as 10 whether the party should go on
with silver as its hattlecry, or whether it
should return TO the methods of some years
ago and make the principal issue ON the
tariff question Many Democrats who were
earnestly for silver last year now think the
tariff the real issue and the one upon which
the party has by far the best chance TO win.
Democrats In the House.
The Democrats are further divided as "a
their policy in the house Of representatives.
One faction, led by Mr.. Bailey OF Texas
has taken tho position that IL the Rcpub
licans under the leadership Of Mr.. Reed dc
not wish 70 organize the house and pro
iced 90 legislation the Democrats should
hot try Co force them 10 do 50 by demand
Ing the appointment OF committees. Mr.
Bailey puts tho case very tcrsely for his
eide when he saysthe Republicans are re
sponsihle 20 the country FOR what Is don,
and for Whist is not done. The duty Of th,
Democrats IL % let them 90 as they pleas,
and take the consequences IL the Dem
ocrats prod ti.e licrublicans into action OF
attempt 10 gead tbom into 10 by making
points under the rules, they must 20 som'
extent shGru responsibility with the ma
jority MIR 'leii. s.. therefore, and major
ity Of the Democrats believe In holdin.
hands nif AMI permitting the Republican
10 have a clear rein, conidcnt they vii
drive ~ thcli own destruction
Mr. McMilln md many other Demo
crats lslicve .hcy uro scnt here 10 fight th
Republican MINORITY and to stand for thci
ri~i,fr "A CONSERVATIVES They Wouli