Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-20
WHAT WILL :WOtC OTT DO?
Importance Of Ii. As.4ad.' IN the Coming
Session.
silver Republican, I'm the Senate Who
S--S%-ssz<sss--s-s =
20 i.'- % M fo'i-
ton ON Currss9ncy Legislation.

Some quizzical Speculation is being in
dulged in as to the attitude that will be
assumed by Senator Nolcott on his re-
turn from Europe. after having failed to
accomplish anything in the way of an
International agreement for the benefit of
the silver mines. Mr.. Wolcott is the leader
CT those senators from the silver states
who refused to bolt from the republica1
party when the, st. LOUIS platform was
adopted. and who remained in the party
with the hope of bringing 1t back to their
way of thinking or Of accomplishing ..some-
thing for silver through. the medium of
the new administration. He was sent on
the European mission much in the principle
that baby might be given piece of salt
peter to suck, confident that having tried
It. he wouldn't cry for it any more. Hav-
ing had his way and having failed. .he
question is whether he Will be content TO
1emain with the party and cohtide In its
wisdom or whether he will conclude TO be
belated convert to the t4aecry>ef SEAler,
Duboise ct al, that the republican party
cannot be brought to free coinage Of sill
yer by any sort of means, and will go ever
to the other side.
This speculation ACQUIRES some Import
ante fr6HT the fact that the Gbufse Sf CoiiL
gress during the approaching session may
be influenced by it. The fact that the
President is going to call. upon Congress
for financial legislation at the approaching
session, and that hard fight to SECURE
legislation is contemplated, ren,lers the at
titude Of every man in the Senate i'm
portant. The Senate is what stands in the
way of legislation for the improvement of
our financial system. That body has a
nominal silver, majority, ana there.sis act
uaily very strong minority who may be
counted on to fight vigorously any currency
proposition the administration may adj
vance. and to- vote against It! Those who
uDGQuiVOclIlv in60rSp rf he
republican party are also in a minority
in the Senate.
What can be accomplished In the way of
legislation will depend upon the attitude
of those men, who, like Wolcott, profess
loyalty to both the republican party and to
free silver Their course may be Influenced
by the position assumed by Mr.. Wolcott en-
his return. If he should return to silver
his first love-he might take some of the
republican semi-siiver senators with him
Should he adhere to the administration and
decide to go the full length in his loyalty
to the party the whole doubtful group
would probably stand by the President in
any currency reform recommended ions pre-
scented, They would the more readily do
this because of their personal disposition,
in spite, of the supposed sentiment of their
colt, Carter, Pritchard, Shoup, Warren and
Clark stand by the administration in sup
port Of the proposed currency legislation
it would bt possible to get a bill through
the Senate, If the power of a filibuster
could be broken. Kyle might, possibly be
counted with them.'
Their votes added. to the votes. .of the
straight sound money" republicans and
supported by the. votes of the Sound
money democrats. would make a majority
of the Senate. Caffcry, Gray Lindsay and
Smith, gold democrats--couldb be relied to
vote with the administration if they re-
sarded the measure proposed as sound.
SThe>A mis- TARA ion might IN rhfs way isrta
ths. support of from forty-six to ferty,,eight
votes. -