New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-31
WHAT HAS REEN ACCOMPLISHED

WHAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED
Presumably the House Of Representatives will
to-day make an end of the Senate's silver reso-
luton without delay or debate. The time calls
for practical work. and not for empty resou-
lions of the declaratory sort, else the House
might prefer TO show its position by amend
ment When the House has before IL def
mite measure which will not merely maintain
the soundness Of the currency but improve it,
not merely keep inviolabe the public honor but
fortify it against possible assault hereafter,
action of that sort may be not unworthy OF
body which cares more for performance or
legislative duty than for expressing and Illus
tra;ing itself. When the declaratory resolution
has found its way TO The waSe-basket of the
House what will the silver men have gained:
Their course has not been marked by much
practical sense They have never expected 10
pass any measure at this session. 30 change
the laws in the least. or 10 modify the existing
siafutes which make it the duty OF The See
rotary Of the Treasury TO maintain the gold
standard They have not gained any strength,
but on the contrary. have made 1t known that
they cannot command the votes Of some who
were all the time claimed ana by many believed
10 be with them. outside Of Congress they have
lost much For the first tmc the purpose has
been markedly avowed 10 force payment of bonds
I'm silver no matter how low silver may fall.
The proposal and passing of n resolution 10 That
end has opened the eyes Of many VINO nave
heard The silver party often charged with such
a purpose but have heard !, denied The per
fornance at lime when business Is revvng
and the public credit gaining confidence the
world over could only have been expected TO
check The recovery. and II 1t has produced but
little effect. IL is not because the silver men
were patriotc or wise enough 10 avoid doing
mischief but because the whole world was too
wei aware that they had 30 power Among
business men throughout the country the vexa-
ton which the attempted disturbance has caused
will cost the supporters OF silver many votes
in time TO come. Men Of substance and or prac-
teal interests do not. after fair warning intrust
control Of National affairs TO men who nave
proved themselves quite reckless and indiffcr-
eni 10 consequences.
The blunder Of the silver men has been still
more important In tactical point OF view
Democratic voters throughout the country were
being drawn back 10 their old party lines by
force Of habit and association. by recurrence Of
local contests with Republicans. by substitution
Of new for recently defeated leadership, by be-
lief that the ugly issues of 1896 had passed with
the business prosiration which gave them n
sharper edge and by hope that the Democratic
party before another National campaign would
place itself where decen, and patriotic men
could sustain It. The silver men have stopped
all this. They have cracked the party lash so
vigorously that in the Senate every Sound
Money Democrat save one has voted for prac-
ticai reputation. Millions Of voters who care
morning for any parry lash are notified bv This
performance that If they follow accustomed
leaders any further they land in Bryans camp
Democrats Of great influence, who have been
trying 10 set the party on its feet again have
been made 10 see That II cannot be pulled from
the mlrc or made 70 stand erect until /, has
been thrashed again
If these things seem TO the silver men IN any
degree to their advantage they are more mis-