Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-10
Representative Quigg on Cuba and
Currency Reform.
TEE COMING SESSION OF CONGRESS
Does Not Look for Much General
Legislation.
THE RECENT ELECTIONS

Representative Quigg of New York was
| In Washington today for the first time since
the election. In conversation with Star
reporter he expressed the opinion that the
coming session of Congress would not be
exciting and that there would be no war
with Spain. He said also that he thought
| 1t doubtful that any so-called currency re-
form measure would be adopted by Con-
gress.
DO you think there will be much legis-
lation of general interest at this session.
was asked him.
Il rather think not, he replied. MANY
little things of interest and importance to
neighborhoods throughout the country
have been neglected during the last three
years. owing to the fact that our ordinary
expenses were so much in excess of our
revenue. That condition still exists to be
sure, but relief is in sight and the demands
or local legislation are so great that con-
sideration of them must soon be had
Don't you think that the subject of cur
rency reform will be taken up?" was asked.
Our Currency System.
Il doubt whether action will be had on
that subject. l doubt whether 1t is SO
urgent matter, anyhow, as the apologists
of the Cleveland administration wish to
make out. Their defense for all the count
less calamities that succeeded the intro
duct:on of the Wilson bill was that the
currency system was a bad one, and they
are naturally anxious now to compel the
republican party to admit their defense by
Undertaking legislation in the line of what
they call currency reform. OF course,
there are bad features in our currency sys-
tenn, but don't think that the greenback
is one of them
There ought not to be five different
KINDS OF paper in circulation, each issued
under different conditions, each differing as
10 The uses to which it can be put and as
to method and means of REDEMPTION and
each styled as a dollar and regarded though
without the justification of definite law as
practically good for gold. That state of
tnngs ought not to continue, but 1t Is not
that state of things at which the so-called
currency reformer seems to be taking aim
HIS great passion is to. retire the green
packs. Now, the greenbacks have many
virtues. Ihey are good money; they are
convenient; they are we'll regarded; behind
them is the national faith and credit, and
they stand for debt which draws no in
terest. Before they are withdrawn we
must make sure that substitute has been
PROVIDED Which has all the virtues of safe
ty ana convenience and which, If more ex-
penslve than the greenback, shall have
other virtues to justify the expense
The arguments generally used as rea-
sons why the greenbacks should be with
drawn do not seem to De so 1t is not so
that they caused the financial distress SO
oSN'S UoAihS tLe SleNeldUQ aQmlnlStra
tion Ttey measured the public want of
confidence in the Cleveland government.
They did not cause it. They were a barom-
eter and they had as little to do with the
condltion OF which they gave information
as the barometer has to do with the
Storm
The Cuban Question.
How about Cuba?'
II hope that Congress will not attemnt
to conduct our foreign relations They are
much better left to the administration.
Ihere was time. perhaps, when a resoIu-
uon comforting belligerent rights upon the
Cuhans might have been passed without
ringing on a war with Spain. but that
TIME has gone. If the Spanish people have
a spark of manhood left there could be but
one result of any cor gressional declaration
faVoring Cuba. Our people do not want n
War with any enc. There is no possible
compensation for 1t. We are not in a
proper condition Of defense and 1t is ab
surd to invite war until we are ready for
one"
DO you think there is probability of
congressional action Oh the subject of
Cuba?'
mo; think it is unlikely"
In answer to question with respect to
the recent elections. Mr.. Qu;gg said:
The Elections.
'The elections were all right except in
New York. The usual reactionary tenden-
cy. which is always to be looked for the
next year after a presidential election,
against the party which succeeded then
was slightly manifested, but it did not
amount to much. 1t was shown in de-
gree much less than usual The democrats
made their chief fight in Ohio and against
Mr.. Hanra individually, but ne has won, as
he richly deserved to win We should have
won in New York, so far as the state is
concerned, by a magnificent majority IL IL
had not been for the split in New York
city. That split was due to the impossible
demands of the Citizens Union, which re-
fused alliance with the republican party on
any terms"
us the split there to continue?'
81 don't know. The republican party
WILL of course, remain the republican
party, laboring for success of republic
can principles, and 1t will hope to have the
cooperation of everybody who wants those
princfnleS n win