Evening star., 1897-05-19
DEMOCRATIC DIFFERENCES
Representative Hartman AttachesLittle I'm
portanoe to Them.
The Majority, he Says, I. Re.pe.sible e
for Legisiatioa sse Its Lack and
Bimetallists Are An Unfted.

A Star reporter asked Representative
Hartman of Montana today what effect
the disagreement between the democratic
members Of Congress as to the proper
policy to be pursued at this session would
have upon the future alliance of the bi-
metallic forces.
"Oh, 1 attach but little Importance to
this difference" said Mr.. Hartman. 1.-The
allied forces of bimetallism are not charged
with any responsibility for legislation, as
they are largely In the minority. The re-
sponsibility for all legislation of this Con-
gress rests upon the republican party
Believing as 1 do that the financial policy
which 1t would crystalline into a law would
of no reason why there should be any
desire for that party to legislate upon
the finar cial question. If they do pass
financial legislation In support Of the well
that party, it will only be such as is in
tended to more firmly entrench and
strengthen the existing gold standard. 1t
will be In the direction Of contraction, in
Guiding the retirement of the sreenbacks,
and the gradual transfer to the banks
of the right to issue and control the cur
rency of the country. Therefore, it seems
to me that this being the paramount ques-
ton and having been declared such by
the allied forces of bimetallism in the
last campaign, the course Of Mr.. Bailey in
declining to attempt to force, the ma
jority to legislate is fully justified. 1t
must be borne in mind that the respon-
sibility of the majority does not stop with
the legislation that is enacted. for it is
equally responsible If 1t fails to SO organize
it's House machinery SO that legislation
which ought to pass can be considered.
Majority Held Responsible.
"very many of us, of all parties. have
local legislation which ought to receive the
favorable consideration Of! Congress, but
nc. one will for a moment. claim that the
minority, which stands ready to present its
bills to the committees when created, are
in the least degree responsible fer the fall
ure of such legislation, when theamajority,
whose duty it is to provide the necessary
committees, declines to act. 1,Efherefore,
view with entire Indifference the plan
adopted by the Speaker Tor the regu-
lation of the business of the House. If he
fails TO appoint the committees then the
majority is responsible for not giving to
tie country a much needed bankruptcy act
the free home bill and many local bills Of
great concern to the respective districts. If
he appoints them and passes tbs financial
legislation to which his party is cemmitted,
the disastrous results will, In my Judgment,
utterly destroy what few hoHes are left for
the republicans to gain the Fffty.dxth Con-
greSS." /
-. Union Of BlmetalRastss
THE demand Tor union OF all Dlnetallic
forces in 1898 and in 1900 from The people
of the United States, will. in my Judgment
be so strong that 1t will sweep into de-
served oblivion ahy map who attempts to
prevent such union. 1t VIII come With such
unanimity that any differences which may
have arisen. or which may arise hereafter
among the members of any faction or par
ty, will simply be blotted out Of existence.
There can be no doubt that Mr.. Bailey, and
those who agree with him, as we'll as those
who are not in harmony with his plan of
procedure. are all earnestly Idesirous of
unity of action as well as
unity of purpose in the great cause, COM
mon to the three organization which gave
1t support In the last campaign, and which
will continue to give 1t support until its
success" tI