The evening times., 1897-11-27
RICHARDSON NOT HOPEFUL
Tennessee Member Does Not Look
for Currency Legislation.
ALL TALK AND NO ACTION
Republicans Only Proposition. the
Retirement of GreenbackS, Will
The Former VIII Not Put Silver In
Circulation.

See, enc of the best known Democratic
i'll all likelihood be elected Speaker IL
the Demoor rats carry the ne xt House. has r,'-
turne, - Washington to remain until Con
gress meets. He is an excellent pariii.
u.entarian and well Informed on every sub
ject that comes before the people. Mr.
Richardson looks for little In the way of
beneficial Legislation tIom the conting ses-
sion. on the currency question he is pur-
ticalarly dubious as to results being .sc-
complishci, for the very simple reason that
the Republicans will not do that which
VIII bring about the greatest good to tie
greatest number.
Il believe said he, yesterday, that
.here will hc a great deal OF talk on this
subject, ana that nothing in the shape of
tangible legislation will grow out OF it.
The keystone of every plan suggested by
the Republicans for Il reformation Of the
currency lies IN the retirement Of the green
backs and the consequent ntractionofthe
currency by just the amount Of greenbacSs
that would by this method lie taken out OF
circulation The retirement of the green
back is s.1metbing that will be bitterly an
tagunized by the Democrats, and i am
pretty positive the Republicans "a nnota gree
upon such a policy among themselves.
There are many Republicans who have
hitherto looked upon this plan unfa aTorahly.
and the A Administration can hardly rope
10 whip them all into line.
- here are many of the Republican mem.
/ bers OF Congress representing Western con
Stiluencies W ho would not dare to return
to their people and ask their suffra ges and
Endorsement after voting to take away al
most $3.50 200 900 Of the peoples money.
These men cannot afford to be whipped In
by the power of the Administration, hat
1t is apparent that Secretary Gage and the
President intend tc make the fight along
that line.
There are also many Republicans who
do not pIopose to permit d further tssu-
dnce CT bonds unless there should be an
emergency that would compel such action,
and that emergency is not now present
or prospective. To retire the greenbacks
means an issu. Of bonds unless something
else should be offered In the shape ofmoney
10 take the place of this paper currency
To my inind 1t is the heieh: of folly Ia
withdraw Government debt represented!
by the greenhack, which draws no inter
est. api substitute therefor 2 debt that
draws interest, however small that inter
est mignt be. 1t is neither good business
nor good politics, and II the Republican
party attempts it il will meet with failure.
of Course, with the power of the
Speaker and the Committee on Rules TO
back up the Administration, the measure
might be rushed through the House, but
the safety valve of the country will he
fonnd in this matter in the Senate, and
there Will be no rushing of the PROPOSE
ton through that branch of the Congress
If the Republican party really desires to
reform the currency and ease the money
situation somewhat, why does it not Ie-
tire the greenbacks by the substitution
of something other than bonds? This
country can easily absorb S346,O0O,uO
Of additional silver, and If the Admin
istration would retire this paper currency
and put in its place that amount of silver
the problem would be partially solved, at
east. But of course, it will not do this.
The gold standard Administration and the
men who dominate its fiscal policy VIII
not permit such a wise course to he pur-
sued.
In the extraordinary session Mr.. Ding
leg told us that If We would only pass his
Till and peririt the money to flow into the
Treasury the financial question would sol'.
itself. The Democrats denied the accuracy
OF his prophecies, but the bill was finally
passed and has been on the statute books
for some time. Events have proven that
NJ. Dingley is a false prophet. Money is
not coming into the Treasury; the deficit
Is piling up daily. No Dingiey bill in fact,
notariffIneasure- IN solve the money 1ues-
tion 1t must be met independently, and
the situation cannot improve until we have
the right t. coin both gold aud silver on the
same terms. That is the only thing that Will
permanently dispose of the trouble. Make
shirts may postpone the day little, but
the American people are becoming exceed
Ingly tired of makeShifts on the money
question:
When asked what other matters were
likely tc demand the attention Of the
House, M-. Richardson said that depen led
largely upon the attitude OF the Speaker.
Il have hoped all along" said he, That
something would be done for Cuba, but l
very much doubt If the Republicans will
assume any different attitude tow ard that
island than the position they held during
the extraordinary session. They asserted
then that the Congress was called TO
gether To perform a specific act, and that
the Administra tion should Re given some
time In which to consider this Irritating
question and devise Some policy "f its
own. Ample time has interyenetl since
Congress adjourned and events of great
moment have transpired. Still the ,'Jicy
of the Administration and of tie Repub.
lican leaders appears to be one of delay.
They will fight off any suggestions we
may offer, and all resolutions lccl1ing to
the deliverance of that people from the
hands Of the oppressor will probably be
smottered In Committee.
II take 1t ti.it th. position OF the Deina.
Gratis has not changed. We had some
members who favored doing nothing and
these VIII probably be of that mind now.
but the majority of our members were then
ia favor.of action and will now insist upon
giving expression TO some resolution that
will he word OF cheer to the insurgents
and a note OF warning to Spain. The All
niristration is apparently afraid of the
question, and until the word is given from
the White House no action Will be taken
at the other end of the Avenue
What is the prospect for bankruptcy
legislation"
That IL question not SO easily an
swercd. The country is demanding some
relief of this sort, but there is a sectional
difference. that appears to be almost ir-
concila5le. The money centers represented
in Congress by their members are clamor
ing for a bankruptcy bill that will en-
able them to send the puor creditor int,
Heart Rest ne tn 80 Minutes
after noinentarily expecting for years