The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-26
s1rvER AND COIN BoNps.

w E Curtis, the Washington cor
respondent of the Chicago Record sends
the following interesting comments on
the passage of the Teller coin-bOnd res
olutfOn:
THE action of the senate in giving
precedence over all other business to
the Teller resolution. which declares
that the bonds of the United States
may be paid in silver, shows how far
from possible it is to secure from this
congress any legislation for the cur
rency reform that does not include the
restoration of the money power of sill
YER It shows that the silver men are
stronger in the senate than they were
two years ago, notwithstanding the
election of a goldbug president upon
gold-standard platform. 1t shows that
the enactment of a protective tariff
law, the restoration of industrial activ-
ity and commercial prosperity has not
satisfied the advocates of free coinage
or eliminated the silver question from
politics. 1t shows that the wishes of
the president, often declared in public
and in private, and the debasing infiu-
ence of patronage are not so strong
with certain senators as public senti-
ment in their several states. 1t shows
the folly of the currency commission in
ocratic senators from the south 1t
shows, Furthermore, that the split in
the Republican party on the silver
question is growing wider, and that the
president will take great risk if he fore
es that issue into the congressional
campaign next fall.
"The immediate effect of the action of
the senate-for it is assumed that the
resolution will be adopted by the same
eration-is to stimulate the Republicans
in the house of representatives who
have been leaning toward silver to as
sert themselves and to brighten those
whose districts are doubtful and who
want the issue postponed. The chief
end of man, according to the congress
sional catechism, is to secure a re-
election; and timid members say that
If the administration insists upon fore
ing Mr.. Cages bill or that of the cur
rency commission the house of repre-
sentatives will suffer a revolution and
the present Republican majority will be
reversed and given to the Democrats at
the fall election. 1t is believed that
when the yeas and nays are called
enough Republicans in the present
house will go over to the silver side to
make a majority and seriously embar-
rass the administration
1T was the programme of the pres
ident to force a currency reform bill
through the house in order to put the
Republican party on record in favor Of
sound money The banking commit
tee was to report a BILL or more than
one, if an agreement could not be
reached, which would be made the sub
ject of discussion in the house, in the
newspapers and among the people, and
then some sort Of a compromise substi-
tute was to be passed that might fur
nish an issue for the next conversational
campaign. Fearing this would be sue
cessful, the silver men in the senate
took the initiative to demonstrate that
silver sentiment is stronger instead of
weaker than it was at the last election;
and they have accomplished their p1r-
pose The vote in the senate was a sur
prise, but whether it will discomfort the
president remains to be seen. He is a
man of determination, but he is a skill
1ul and saSaciOus politician also and
viii change his plans for a temper
airy truce if he concludes that a post
ponement Of the issue is likely to
strengthen his position. Tt is too soon
to make prediction as to his future mol
ICY There will be some serious con-
ferences before he decides what to do ,,