The Washington weekly post., 1899-07-11

1.-THE Republican Party should, in nv
opinion. make the fight next year upon u
bold. straightforward, unequivocal decla-
ration for the single gold standard"
This positive statement made 10 a re-
porter of The Post yesterday afternoon
by Hon. Lyman J. Gage, President Ne
kinley's Secretary OF the Treasury, Is sig
nitcant, following, IL does, the authori-
tative announcement in The Post that the
Republican Caucus Committee bill contains
a provision Incorporating the single gold
standard into law. In fact. the publca-
tiOn in The Post of this important fea-
ture of the proposed SneasuTe has At
tracted widespread attention. and was
yesterday the general subject of COM
ment among politicians in both parties.
1t is known that other members of the
Cabinet agree with Secretary Cages posi-
ton. Postmaster General Smith. for in
stance, is understood 10 he heartily in
favor of frank and decided gold stand
ard assertion 10y his party in the next na-
tICnal convention.
Other Republicans seen by The Post
yesterday agree that the time has come
when all equiVocatiOn should be discarded
and the issue made plain and direct.
Representa- tive JOY. who. as a Western
member, is fully acquainted with the
sentiment of his section, said yesterday
that he was most emphatically in favor
of the strongest gold standard plank
which could be put in the platform. 1
am in favor of it," he said. because it
is certainly the right thing To do. and.
besides. it will help the Republican Party
in St. Louis. My judgment also is that
it will be beneficial to us throughout the
Of In no
Republicans of the Chandler stripe, who
believe that the adoption OF the single
gold standard into the political platform
and law is a dangerous mistake. are not
very numerous. When the national con-
ventiOn meets next spring, the delegates
from the Eastern gold States will need
only a few recruits from the West and
Northwest to give them a majority OF
the convention and il is already practi-
cally certain that these votes will be Sc
cured. There will be no doubt about IT,
if the administration continues in its
present position of favoring a straightfor-
ward declaration, without any sop in the
direction of bimetallism.
Democrats Welcome the Issue.
The Democrats, on their part. view the
proposed action OF the Republicans with
apparent pleasure. III the Republicans
make no secret of their purpose to fasten
the gold standard upon the country"
said Senator Daniel, of Virginia. yester-
day, their action will undoubtedly op-
crate to the advantage of the silver DEM
ocrats. 1t will bring the financial ques-
ton TO the front and will show the peo-
pie exactly what they may expect under
Republican rule" This opinion was con-
CURED in by his colleague, Senator Mar
tin, and by Congressman Swanson and
HAY, of Virginia, both of whom were in
the city yesterday. MY judgment is"
said Mr.. Hay that the Republicans will
make the election of a Democratic Presi-
dent all the easier if they declare for the
single gold standard. / cannot speak for
any State except my own, but / know
that in Virginia such a declaration will
be the last nail in the Republican coffin.
Virginia Democrats are for Bryan and
silver, and the Virginia farmers who are
Republicans will become Democrats when
they learn that their party is against
silver entirely" Congressman Swanson
spoke in the same strain. The Repub-
licans never have been sincere in their
talk about bimetallism," he said ''and
the action of the conference at Atlantic
City proves their inslBcerity. II the Re-
pubIcans try TO fasten the gold standard
upon The country, they will certainly help
the Democrats"
Senator BacoB's View.
Senator Bacon. OF Georgia, speaking OF
the outlook. said: 81 think that If the
Republicans carry out the wish Of some
OF their party and make Il clean-cut, un-
reserved declaration in favor or the Per-
manent maintenance of the gold stand
ard. they will present the Democrats with
a sharp issue and that the financial ques-
ton will become much more prominent
than 1t would otherwise be. i don't be-
lieve, however, that they will do 1t. They
will be too sharp 10 do so. A great many
people will take Il hook when il IS con-
cealed by a bait, even when they know
the bait Is there, who will not take the
naked hook. The Republicans, therefore,
In my opinion, Will proceed to catch
votes with the bait OF bimetallism, and
will not give the people the naked hook
of a gold standard
Representatives Livingston ard Bart
lett, Of Georgia, also agree that the pro-
posed action Of the Republicans, IL car
ried into effect, will operate 10 the ma
terial advantage or the Democrats. The
question" said Judge Bartlett. VIII
never be settled. IN my opinion. until IL
10 fought upon the square issue