The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1899-07-20
WASHINGTON.
Washington, July 10, 1900
From our Regular Correspondent.


regret the fright in the ranks of the
single gold standard Republicans be
cause OF the warnings uttered by such
as Senator Thurston. of
Nebr., and Chandler, of N. H. Ever
since the Eastern Republicans began
the movement to try to put through
single gold standard Legislation at the
coming session of Congress Democrats
have been heartily wishing that they
would succeed in dong so, because of
the marked advantage it would be to
the Democratic candidate tor Presl-
dent. Senator Chandler was the first
to tell his party associates that they
were playing with political dynamite.
Then came Senator Thurston, who
has presided over two Republican
National Conventions and who is
much more influential, if not so talk
ative, than Chandler. Thurston makes
1t very plain that Mr.. Mckinley never
would have been elected if that inter-
national bimetallian bluff had not
been put in the Republican platform
and worked for all it was worth by
the Mckinley stumpers in the West
and Middle West. He also intimated
that he didn't care a continental about
silver himself, but would take no part
in helping his party to invite defeat.
He expresses the belief that the effort
would not succeed IN Congress. al
though he was not SO confident about
the National Convention of his party,
OF which he said: "The Eastern States
have large Representation in the
Convention, and we know the colored
delegates can be won over" OF the
probabilities in Congress Mr.. Thurs
ton said: "With the narrow Repub-
lican majority IN the House and the
moderate views Of good many Re-
publican Senators, l really do not
look for very much in the way of
financial legislation between now and
the Prudential Campaign" Next to
putting it into law, Democrats would
like to see the Republicans put the
single gold standard into their Nation
al platform.
Ex-senator Pugh, of Ala, now in
Washington, doesn't wear any cush-
ions on his political views, nor does
he believe in trying to win by pussy
foot methods. He said of the next
candidate and platform of the Demo-
cratic party: 81 believe that William
]. Bryan is the wisest and most reli-
able Democratic statesman living and
that he is now better established in
the confidence of the American peo-
pie and stronger than he ever was,
and can be elected after he is noml-
mated, as he will surely be, by the
next National Convention. AS to the
Democratic platform let it be the
Chicago platform, with additional
declarations against the manifold
trusts growing out of the existence of
the gold standard and prohibitory
tariff duties; also in favor of a vigor-
GUS prosecution of the existing war
in the Philippines, until peace and
order is established and tine governing
power of the u. S. is fully recognized
also that peace and order is to be
established, not for territorial expan-
sion or dominion of the U. S. but for
the sole purpose of securing to the
people of those islands better and
more stable government, with all the
rights, liberty and privileges they show
themselves by trial to be capable OF
exercising and enjoying in condition
of independent selfgovernment."
XXX
Although the scheme to give this
country standing army Of of 90, ,ooo
men was defeated in the last Congress
the idea has not been abandoned by
Mr.. Mckinley. The word has been
passed among the Republican leaders
TO try to work up public oplninon in
the vicinity of their homes, in favor Of
large standing army, so that when
Mr.. Mckinley repeats his reccomend-
alton to Congress for larger standing
army it will seem to be backed by the
sentiment of the country. A large
standing army will be as dangerous
next winter as it was last, and for tina,
reason will be opposed by the Demo
Gratis. Whenever this government has
any real need for fighting men it /:
easy enough to get as many volunteers
as may be asked for. Consequently
there cannot be any good reason fo