The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-11
Southern Representatives and Senators
Oppose Postal Savings Banks.
CIVIL SERVICE VERY MUCH IN DIsFAvoR
Appropriation Bill Passes the House Without
Amendment-Dingley Uses Figures TO Make
1t Appear His Bill Had Proved Ef-
fectiye in Results Desired.
Special to The Age-Hera9d.

Special to The Age-Hera9d.
Washington, Dec. 10.--The impotency
of the republican, party in regard to cur
rency legislation is becoming more plain
daily. The leaders are very adverse to-
being interviewed, because of disin-
clination to run amuck of the administra-
tion and their parity, but privately they
express opinions that brook nothing but
disaster for Mr.. Reed and the adnlinis
tration, should they attempt Ito whip the
party into line on bill retiring, or even
limiting the usefulness of the green
backs. In the senate the republican
leaders have about decided that 1t would
simply be a waste of time to try and
force currency bill to vote, and that
only defeat would await such meas
ure If a vote could be had.
The severe criticism of the presidents
message has been accentualted by Sec
retary Cages report and his recon-
mendations in regard to the retirement
of the greenbacks, and the substitution
therefor a bank currency. Democrats
say they see therein only more evidences
of THE hold that the banking interests
have secured ON this administration,
and how completely in their power the
president is.
Both Reports VIII BE Ignored
But both the presidents message and
Secretary Cages report will be ignored
Net a single republican of prominence
can be found who, when promised his
name would not be used, but that ex-
pressed his opinion as to the utter use
qessness of any attempt to influence the
aIaor
In fact. republicans, who talk freely
in private are condemning the president
for forcing this matter upon congress.
They say that the president was urged
by the best sentiment in his parity to
ignore THE whole question until the fall
elections should have taken place next
November, for, they told him, any ef-
fort to force action would only show
the opposition their weakness.
One thing is clear. The president, wsth
his characteristic indecision, has at
tempted to sDtnadd1e the question: ard
satisfy both this banking fsterests ard
the conservative silver men. He attempt
ed to concilate the gold wing of the
party by limiting at the retirement of the
greenbacks, something tha't he left to
Secretary Gage to openly advocate. He
mas LTueQ TO WWIl ldhOl VI eH~ SAnfS iiiNAA
bv the old tale of International bime'taa-
lsnn, which he claims. to hope may Still
be accomplished, in spie of the fbasco
of the Wolcoitt commission.
To Kick Civil Service Out
The currency Cnatter Is not the only
one ON which the republicans are hope
lessly divided On the question of the re-
peal of the civil service law the fesFng
lis as bitter i'm the parity as between the
republicans a'nd democrats. The ardent
spoiIsmen of the Grosvenor stripe. who
have am ak to grind, are ihowlirg and
shouting for repeal, or ait least nnodidea-
tion of the civil service laws, and threat
en- to do horrHbts things unless their de-
mands are met, while a certain element
of the republicans as we'll as most of the
democrats are i'm favor of the law as 1t
strands.
Tha outlook is for a breezy time this
session when the matter comes up, as 1t
will when the leg isLsttive appropriation
bill is considered. Charges and counter
charges will be nade, and some interest
ing bits of party maneuver will no doubt
be Aearned.
Postal Savings Banks
Three bills have been introduced into
The house and one into the senate to
provide for the establishment of postal
savings banks, and there promises ito
be long fight to establish some such
system, to provide for the small saw
ings of the people all over the country.
While 1T is improbable that party lines
will be strictly drawn on the question,
most of the democrats will oppose the
scheme, as savoring TOO much of pater-
nalism and encroaching on the savings
banks of the several states.
While good deal can doubtless be
said in favor of this pet scheme of the
administration, 1t has disadvantages
thaa must not be overlooked.
Most of the southern senator's and rep
reseftatives are opposed to the scheme
in any form, and express some very
interes sting opinions in regard ito the
mater.
'T do not believe" said a prominent
southern senator today. that it is a
good plan for the national government
.l4