The state herald., 1898-01-28
is STILL AN ISSUE.
SILVER RULES IN THE SENATE
Probable Eject of tho senate's Aciion on
the Coming CampaiEn-The Presidents
Attitude.

Chicago, Jan. 25.-A special to the
Record from Washington says:
The action of the Senate last Thurs
day In giving precedence over all O,h-
err business to the Teller resolution,
which declares that the bonds Of the
United States may be paid In silver.
shows how far from possible II is to
secure from this Congress any legisla-
ton for the currency reform that does
not include the restoration of the mon
ey power of silver. 1t shows that the
silver men are stronger in the Senate
than they were two years ago, nOtwith-
standing the election of Il goldbug
president upon gold-standard plat
form. Ii shows that the enactment of
protective-tariff law, the restoration
of Industrial activity and commercial
prosperity has not satisfied the advO-
Gates 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
"thc debasing influence of patronage"
are not so strong with certain Republi-
can Senators as public sentiment in
their several states. 1t shows the fol-
ly of the Currency Commission in de-
pending upon support from the Demo-
cratic 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 risks II he
forces that issue into the Congressional
campaign next fall.
The Immediate effect of the action of
the Senate-for 1t is assumed that the
resolution will be adopted by the same
majority that insisted upon its consid-
eration-is TO stimulate the ltepubli-
cans in the House of Representatives
who have been leaning toward silver
TO assert themselves and 10 frighten
those whose districts are doubtful and
who want the issue postponed. The
chief end of man. according to the con
gressional catcchism, Is To secure II re-
election and timid members say tha, II
the administration insists upon forcing
Mr.. Cages hill or that of the Currency
Commission the House of Representa-
tivcs will suffer n revolution and The
present Republican majority will he re-
verscd and given to the Democrats at
the fall election. II is believed thai
when the yeas and nays are called
enough Republicans in the present
house will go over to the silver side 10
make majority and seriously ,m-
barrass the administration.
II was the program of the President
to force currency reform bill through
the House in order TO put the Republi-
can party on record in favor o. sound
money" The banking committee was
to report n bill. or more than one. II an
agreement could not be reached.
which would be made the subject of
discussion In the House. in the news
papers and among the people. and
then some sori of compromise snbsti-
ute was 10 he passed that might furn-
ish an issue for the next congressional
campaign. Fearing this would he sue
took the initiative 10 demonstrate thai
silver sentiment Is stronger instead of
weaker than 1t was at the last clcc-
tion; and they have accomplished
their purpose. The vote In the Senate
was II surprise. but whether 1t will dis
concert The President remains 10 bc
seen. lie Is n man of determination.
but he IL skillful and sagacious poll
tician also. and Will change his plans
for temporary truce " he concludes
that n p0stponemeni of the issue IL
likely to strengthen his position. II Is
too soon TO make prediction as to his
future policy. There will be some ser
ious conferences before he decides
what 10 do.