The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-01-04
PLENTY OF ROPE WITH COURAGE TO
USE 1T.

PLENTY OF ROPE WITH COURAGE TO
USE 1T.
The monopoly owned sheets of all the
great cities are publishing under splurge
headlines sensational war and diplomatic
news and in their editorial columns are
urging the faithful to destroy the peo-
pies money, greenbacks The following
editorial in the Minneapolis Tribune of
recent date gives ample evidence of the
scheme: 80
H. H. Hanna, the chairman of the ex-
ecutive committee Of the Indianapolis sound
money convention, is still hopeful Of an ex-
ira session of the next congress for the pur-
pose or enacting monetary legislation, not
understanding that E. V. Smalley. a men,
Der Of the same committee, in a recent
canvass OF congressional sentiment at
Washington. found an utter indifference to
the subject which BODIES no good to any
radical or effective action. Mr. Smalley
says that the average congressman fairly
snorts with impatience when YOU mention
the subject of currency legislation to MIN;
that few Republicans are at Eeart n sym
pathy with the movement, and thuse few
rear that attempted action n the matter
Will revive the silver agitation and arouse
against the banking power and bank con-
trol OF paper circulation.
Mr.. Hanna. in an interview which will
De found in another column Of this issue of
Inc Tribune. says he has been assured by
prominent Republican leaders at Washing
ton that the president would not object to
an extra session of congress if it could
De confined strictly to consideration Of
the money question. He is fearful, however,
that If called together in March. the Fifty
sixth congress would not colfine itself to
that matter, but would insist upon taking
up questions relating to our ew Ceien-
denotes. and he does not wish his military
governments interfered with until he has
mad time to demonstrate their efficiency and
to ascertain the actual conditions IN the
islands. Mr.. Hanna, however. believes that
IL would be comparatively easy matter to
limit the work of extra session to 1one-
tary REFORM as the work of the extra ses-
sion Of 1897 was limited to tariff reform. The
mouse could pass a bill within a week and
adjourn from time to time while the meas
ate
Mr. Hanna presents the argument for ac-
ton upon the monetary session at an extra
session very cOgently. and The Tribune Is
inclined to agree with him that # such
legislation is to be attempted before the
next presidential election, the sooner 1t is
taken up the better. 1t would be quite
hazardous to leave 1t until the regullr ses-
sion of December, 1892 when so many other
questions of great Importance and magni-
tude will come before congress and dis-
tract attention from financial legislation
There would also be fear to act just on
the eve of a presidential election. and the
present Indifference Of the representatives
and senators might develop into positive
hostility. It is evident to our mind that
II we are to have any important financial
legislation by the Fifty-sixth congress, 1t
will have to be enacted at an extra session
Of that body. called together on the 4th of
March next or very soon thereafter.
The foregoing editorial takes our read
ers behind the scenes where the situation
| may be viewed from a Republican stand
point It first admits that E. V. Smalley
and H. H. Hanna, representatives of the
national banking interests, have been
sounding congress on the question Of
destroying the nations greenbacks. II
admits that they found an indifference
that BODIES no good to their scheme. II
admits that few even of the Republicans
are at heart in sympathy with the
scheme. It admits a wide spread sen
timent against the banking power ant
bank control Of paper circulation.
1t would seem that this should b,